The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-02-10
Remarkable Coincidence,

The Atchison (Kan.) Patriot tells the
following wonderful story The old
adage that truth is stranger than fiction
has had many notifications. but none, per-
haps, more remarkable than the follow
ing: Yesterday, on the Missouri Pacific
Railroad train which reaches this city at a
few minutes after II O'Clock, a stranger
arrived who sought out the Lindell Hotel
for comfortable meal and few hours
rest before proceeding on his journey
across the continent to California. Alter
his baggage had been cared tor he regis
tered his name on the hotel register.
''Frederck Mot1att, Bangor, Me" The
gentleman was soon shown the dining
| room, and began eating his dinner
A few moments after these events hap
pened, the bus drove up to the entrance
OF the hotel and a stranger, just arrived
by the H. c., St. 10. Il G. b. Railroad
stepped out and into the hotel, and after
dvesting himself of overcoat and wrap
pings he proceeded to register his name
and location. Much to his surprise, he
found his name, "Frederick Mot1att," al
ready registered He had not written it,
he had but just arrived; he was 4 total
stranger who had written the name !?
lie could have almost sworn the writing
was his; he was puzzled, but a better look
| at the register disclosed the fact that Moi
tatt No. l hailed from Maine, while he re-
sided in San Jose, Cal, Motfatt No 2
wrote his rame on the register, and turned
to the clerk and asked for Motfatt No l.
Having been informed that he was then
at dinner, he stated he would like an in
terview with him. and quietly seated HIM
self by the stove until Motf.att No re-
turned from the dining room, and was
pointed out to him by the clerk. He in
troduced himself. and the two men bear
ing the same name, who We're totally I'M
known to each other. sat down to a con-
versation which disclosed the following
remarkable coincidents.
Moffatt No. l was born in Maine, and
was 81 years old the Sd day OF January
1876. Motfatt No. 2 was born in Calitor-
mia, and was 81 years old on the Sd day OF
January, 1876.
The father of both families was named
Charles, and the mother, MARY" Each
has two sisters living and one brother dead
whose name was Charles" named after
their fathers. Both were proprietors of
livery and feed stables in their respective
places of residence, and the residences Of
both were consumed by fire on the 9TH
day of March, 1875. and were insured in
the Etna Fire Insurance Company. These
two men are very similar in appearance
In height. avoirdupois, ana general APP
pearance, they are almost enough alike to
be twins. The only difference is in the
complexion and color of the hair The
Maine mans hair is black. while that OF
the one from California is fiery red.
These two men stayed over night at the
Lindell, and lett this morning-the Cali
fornian on his way to Maine on business.
while the Maine man goes to California
for the benefit of his health.
When the fact IS taken into consdera-
ton that these two men were no kin, had
meyer heard of each other or their respec-
tive families before this strange meeting,
this chapter of coincidents will read all
the more like romance. These state
ments, however. are strictly true, just as
we have stated them. and will be verified
by Mr.. Moore OF the Lindell Hotel.