St. Landry democrat., 1879-07-12
A Carolina s. AraiRne."
A FATHER RECEIVERS \ LOST DAUGHTER

AFTER A SEARCH OF FOURTEEN YEARS
A Marion (S. c. correspondent of thu
Charleston News and Courier tells tht
following story
During the war there lived at Waynes
boro, the county seat OF Burke county
Georgia, II Mr.. and Mrs. Holland, tlIt
happy parents of two little children, {
boy and girl. Mr.. Holland wasa prac.
ticing lawyer and man of intelligence
and standing in the community. Mrs
Holland was of good family, and a lady
of education and of good social stand
ing.
During the war Mr.. Holland yolun.
teered and was a good soldier till tht
surrender. About the year 1S64-Gj 4
man by the name Of Laud Haithcock ap-
pearcd in that part of Georgia. He
passed himself Off as 4 horse trade and
gentleman of wealth, but in reality a
horse thief. He appeared to have plenty
of money, drove tine horses, smoked fine
cigars, dressed we'll and was received
into the best society. During Mr.. Ilol-
lands absence III the war he ingratiated
himself into the good graccs OF Mrs.
Holland. A criminal intimacy sprang
up before them, and when Mr.. Holland
returned home in April, 1865, the fruits
OF that intimacy could no longer be con
cealed. In few days. after Mr.. Hol-
lands return, and while waiting an op-
portunlty to take summary vengence on
Haithcock, his wife suddenly left with
Haithcock, carrying with her his little
daughter only 3 years old. From that
time to this they have never been seen
in that part of the State. About the
time of their sudden departure a horse
and buggy mysteriously disappeared
which is supposed to have been stolen
by HaithcocS, and with which they made
their way to Brownsville, Marlboro
county, in this State, where Haithcock
was born and brought up. From that
time till three weeks ago Mr.. Holland
never heard anything of the where
abouts of his wife and child. lie, how
ever, did not dispair. During the past
fourteen years he has been constantly
engaged, whenever he could spare the
time from his business, in prosecutip.,
the search for his child. lie travelled
over the greater part OF Georgia, and
portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Flori-
da, and this State, but could never OBJ
tain the slightest clue as to where she
was. He tried advertising in the news
papers, offering large rewards for her
recovery, but nothing came of it but
heavy bills and grievous disappoint~
ment. He finally concluded to stay at
home and write to the county officials of
every county throughout the country
After pursuing this plan for long time
he was finally Informed by one Of the
county officials of Marlboro county that
Land Haithcocl1 lived in the Browns
vile section of that county with a wo-
man who answered to the DESCRIPTION of
Mr.. Hollands wife. That this woman
had ayoung girl with her, not Hath
cocks child, whose age and general ap-
pearaDce pointed to her as the long-lOst
daughter. 1t was first proposed that the
girl should run away from her mother
and go to Georgia. but to make assur-
ance doubly sure Mr.. Holland was ad-
vised to come himself, as he alone could
identify the mother as his former wife.
lie accordingly came by rail to Pee-Dee
Bridge, on the Wilmington, Columbia
and Augusta Railroad. Leaving the
railroad at that point, he walked to Mr..
James &. Haselden's, who lives a few
miles from the station, arriving there
about dark on the 4th inst. He re-
mained with Mr.. Haselden that night.
After making known his errand, Mr..
Haselden' s sympathies were so thorough
~ dLOuScu tildt Ilc Carried MIN Ill his
buggy, the next day, to where Haithcock
lives. Fortunately, perhaps, Haithcock,
who is said to be dodging from the,
revenue officers for retailing whisky
contrary to law, was not at home. On
at his cabin, Mr.. Holland pushed
open the door, which was partly aiar.
and there sat his former wife, surround
ed by her three Haithcock children aud
his own dautgher. He spoke to his
wife Familiarity, saying, Howdy. Polly
Ann z" In great surprise she replied.
'' Why, howdy, Will ~ After shaking
hands with her, he asked, pointing to Il
handsome young girl, if that was Emma.
She answered it was. He took the girls
hand, and, with tears in his ewes, told
her he was her father that she had been
taken from him when she was only 3
years old; that he had been searching
for her for the last fourteen years that,
thank God he had found her at last, |
and that he had come to take her to a
comfortable home, and from the poverty
and misery i'll which she had been raised, !
He asked her if she was willing to go
With him. She replied she was. Upon /
,hls the old woman and the other chill |
tren set up a great lamentation, and |
'aid she shonld never go. They seized |
iold OF her, but by some eXertion Hol- |
and, with her assistance, succeeded in !
her and getting her away from |
he house. They went to the neighbours |
where the girl was hired out as an ordi-
lary field hand, and got the few articles
# wearing apparel which she possessed.