The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1876-02-18

The old adage that "truth is stranger
than fiction" has had many Notifications,
but none, perhaps, more remarkable
(kan.) Patriot: Yesterday, on the
Missouri Pacific train which reaches
this city at a few minutes after Il
O'Clock, n stranger arrived, who sought
out the Lindell Hotel for a comfortable
meal and a few hours rest before pro-
ceeding on his journey across the con-
tinent to California. After his baggage
had been cared for he registered his
name on the hotel register: .. Freder-
lex Moffatt, Bangor, Me-" The gentle
man was soon shown the dining-room
and began eating his dinner.
a few moments after these events
happened the bus drove up to the en-
trance Of the hotel, and a stranger, Just
arrived by the h. c., st. 10. and G.. Is.
Railroad, stepped out and into the ho-
tel, and after divesting himself of over
4 anc wrappings he proceeded L
register his name and location. Much
10 his surprise he found his name
Frederick Moiiatt." already register
ed. lie had not written il, he had but
lu~l 1lliAtA . Ht Ne ~ n lOl1l ~tl AiI-tI"
who had written the name? He could
have almost sworn the writing was his;
he was puzzled, but a better look at the
register disclosed the fact that Moffatt
No. / hailed from Maine, while he re-
sided in san Jose, Cal. Moffatt No. ?
wrote his name on the register, and
turned to the clerk and asked for Moffatt
No. l.. Having been informed that he
was then at dinner, he stated he would
like an interview with him, and quietly
seated himself by the stove until Moffatt
No. l returned from the dining-room,
and was pointed out TO him by the
clerk. He introduced himself, and the
two men bearing the same name, who
were totally unknown to each otker, sat
down 10 a conversation which dis
closed the following remarkable coinci-
dents:
Moffat No. | was born i'm Maine, and
was 81 years old the third day of jan
uary, 1876. Moffat No. ? was born in
California, and was 81 year old on the
third day Of January, 1876. The father
of both families was named "Charlcs,"
and the mother MARY Each have
two sisters living and one brother dead,
whose name was CHARLES named af-
ter their fathers. Both were proprietors
of livery and feed stables in their re-
spective 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 Insurance
Company. These two men are very
similar in appearance. In height, avoir-
dupois, and general appearance, they
are almost enough alike to be twins.
The only difference is in 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 left this morning-the
Californian on his way To Maine on bust
ness. while the Maine man goes to Cali
fornia for the benefit of his health.
When the fact is taken into considera-
ton that these two men were no kin,
had never heard Of each other or their
respective families before this strange
meeting, this chapter Of coincidents
will read all the more like a romance.
These statements, however, are strictly
true, just as we have stated them. and
will be verified by Mr.. Moore, of the
Lindell Hotel.