The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-02-07
A Remarkable COinci dence.

TWO STRANGERS OF THE SANE NAME, WHOSE
LIVES AND CAREER HAVE BEEN MARKED BY
THE SANE CIRCUMSTANCES, MEET AT HOTEL.
from the Atchison Pariotl
The old adage tina, "truth is stranger than
| tction' has had many yerlhcatlons, Dut
none perhaps more remarkable than the ioi'
lowing: Yesterday, on the Missouri Paclhc
railroad train, which reached this CITY at
few minutes after y O'Clock, stranger
arrived, who sought out the Llpdell Hotel
for comfortable meal and a few hours rest
before proceeding on bis journey across the
continent to California. After his baggage
had been cared for be registered his name
on the hotel register. frederick Moffltt,
Bangor, Me-" The, gentleman was soon
shown the dinipg-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 q stranger, just arrived by the
X. c., ST. 10 and c. B. railroad, stepped out
and into the botel: land after diyesting himself
of overcoat and wrappings he proceeded to
register bis name aud location. Much to his
surprise he found his name, Frederick
Moff,tt," already registered. He had not
written it; he bad but just arrived; be was
total stranger-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 MctfAtt
No. hailed from Maine, while he resided
| in San Jose, California. Motlltt No. wrote
his name on the register, and turned TO the
clerk and asked for Mofatt No. /. Having
been informed that be 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 other, sat down to con-
versation, which disclosed the following re-
markable coIncidents:
Moffatt No. | was born in Maine, and was
thirty-one years old the 81 day Of January,
1876. Moftatt No. was born in California,
and was tbirty-one years old on the Sd day
of January, 1876.
The father.of both families was named
d" Charles" and the mother Mary Each
have two sisters living and one brother dead,
whose name was "Cbarles," 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, 1874, and were insured in the
1Etna Fire Insurance Company. These two
men are very similar in appearance. In
height, ayoirdupois, and general appearance
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
Lndell and left this mornIng-the Calfor-
MAN 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 consideration
that these two men were no kin, bad never
heard of each other or their respective fami-
lies before this strange meeting, this chapter
of coincdents 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.