Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-12-20

l. nO OANtCA vi VuC lulVO uC QCbCllDCo |
as a perfect Juno, a dream of grace
from whose lips music would fall Of
the most enchanting kind. e,al
"The war came on and there were
but few localities in the South that
did not feel its blight and see its
horrors. 1t scattered families and
destroyed houses without distinc-
tion, and the Midkif family shared
the fate of others. The old home
stead was given to the torch by a
band Of marauders, and the sons
enlisted in the cause that proved al
failure. Misfortune overlook the
family in other ways, and at the
close Of the war two of the sisters
we're striving to support an INDECENT
mother and a little sister, the now
absent Lizzie. The father, unable
to bear with his troubles and sor-
rows, had passed away, and one of
the sons who survived the unpleas-
antness had not been heard from.
The sisters succeeded in making a
fair support for the two who were
dependent upon them. They were
happy that matters were no worse
and working along eontentedly in
their humble sphere. Lizzie, the
youngest sister, was a favorite with
all who knew her, and the pride Of
her loving sisters. She attended
the school of the elder sister, and at
the age of fifteen was the chief COM
Ipetitor for the little honors Of the
school. In the neighborhood was a
wealthy old farmer, who, by being
a "Union man." and the exercis,
of considerable discretion, succeed
ed in saving a large portion of his
property, and was successful in
speculation after the war. JUDGE
Sanford Rowlett waSh name, and
although sixty years of age his adj
miration for little Lizzie ripened
into love, and he became a sutton
for the little maids hand and heart
Of course the disparity in ages was
of itself sufficient to cause the
mother and sisters Of the girl to in
terpose their objections, but Row
lett, by the free use of money an(
presents. won the affections of Liz
zie despite the protests and en-
treaties of those who had her bes
interests at heart. He promised tt
do more for her than the sister
had ever hoped for, Her education
} should be completed at the fines
institutions in the land; hermothe
and sisters should no more feel tn,
stings of poverty, but should a
once be elevated to position, i
. not equal to ante bellum times, a
least comfortable, and with the as
surance that the resto their day
should be spent in peace and con
tentment.
$50 Lizzie's hand was won, an
!. the school girl Of fifteen was led t
the altar and made the bride of
man of sixty. The judges prom
ises were partially kept with tn
{ brides family; he insisted that the,
q should at once move from their un
pretentious house to one which b
!. had provided for their especial com
fort. He was liberal in furnishing
/ it with such articles as he though
/ of the greatest pleasure and benef
to the sisters. He saw them com
). fortably ensconced in their ne,
i home and they seemed happy
i When he told them that he woui,
O take Lizzie North and place her il
i some popular institution, where sh
: should have all the advantages 70
+ acquiring an unlimited stock 0
n classical learning, with misgiving
70 and sorrow the sisters bade th
d young bride goodbye, and til
}. couple left.
e "Years have passed away sine
is they were made flesh of one flesh
!, No tidings were received in Tennes
is see of the absent ones, and diligen
| inquiry failed to establish thei
= whereabouts. Letters were sent
Y all parts Of the country, but moth
IS ing of satisfactory character re
d suited. The judges property wa
l. left with no one to care for i
lie the proper authority not havin
n been delegated. Some Of it paSSe
IS into the hands Of relatives, an
portions of it are still in the hand
l. Of a receiver. Recently two par
], ties, claiming to be relatives Of III
g Judge, applied to the Weakle
e. County,Probate Court for letters I
le administration, stating that th
re Judge was dead, and that his deaf
We took place about a year ago,
a. Howell county, Mo. They clail
to know nothing of the wife, bt
ID the Midkiffs have received info
ne nation that she now resides
r. Howell county, this State, and a
O. making efforts to find her. The tw
n. parties referred to are believed
I'd be frauds, as nothing can be learl
Is. cd of their previous history. Mo
of of the citizens OF the counties
in Upton and Weakley are also of th
~ belief and have Joined in the effo