, 1879-06-12
the LATE DENNIS HIGHT.

months ago. Ihe letter 1ully explains
itself, therefore we give it entire:
DEAR SIR:-Yom very great favor of
April 25th just reed. The letter was very
welcome, as it contained the most particu-
lar and definite information yet received
as to the fate ofmy brother-yet sadden-
ing, tor it took away almost the last lin
gering hope that perhaps there might be
a mistake in the identity. And the first
painful iatelligen ce that it was my long
lost brother who had suffered a sudden and
violant death is confirmed. After years
Of waiting, watching, hoping, longing, the
curtain of mystery which enshrouded his
tate. rises only to reveal the closi ng
tragic scene, then tai forever.
My brother left for California in the
fall of 1854, believe. Soon after death
and misfortune broke up and scattered our
family to the four winds OF heaven. |
WAS away at school. ut sea and in the
aamy from mothers death In 1906 until
1865. Then off on business. etc, and 1t
was not until II or ~ that we really got
settled and the surviving members of the
family elt in measure reunited.
Our early home was at Albany, Yer
mont, but no member of the family has
sesidcl in Vermont sncc'lsjj. We were
Sitll, borksn up and scattered. BY 7l-'72
we had lost all track OF Dennis. under
took to look him up. wIote
hundreds OF letters. Traced him to San
Francisco, Sacramento, Marysvlle. South
10 Tuare-then north 10 Frazier river.
but when or where Ie had gone no one
knew.
wrote to Victoria, Port Townsend,
Olympia, Portland. Walla Walla. but got
no trace of him, and we gave him up tor
dead.
He was-Oct. Isl think tifty-siX
years of age--Mas. when young. six feet
hight; light hair--a little sandy-whiskers
more sandy--Ight reddish; used to wear his
hair long must of the time. and 1t curIed
slightly behind his ears. his mouth curled
up at the corners instead OF down.
lie started for California in lS5l-over-
land. Got to Santa Fee, New Mexico
and turned back. He had been away
from home for several years before he
went to Ca iforuia. lie was well acquant-
cd at 81. Johnsbuy. VT; had worked
there, etc. was mere boy when he
first left home and alterwurd | saw him
but little.
You spoke of one Of the children being
named AsSynthia. Aunt Page waSnImed
Asynthia, also a 2nd cousin, ASsynthia
Warren. My brother was for years q
great friend of DR.. o. 2. Warren "a Ver-
montcr and I'd cousin J. | speak of these
things as it may help TO make more Ger
tain the identity. My brother went to
California determine to win or never come
back. He was. when young, very quiet
retiring, industrious. lie probably got
discouraged and resolved never to 60 or
write back, after the Frazer River failure.
He may have written back in those years
and the family being boOken an,! scattered
10 came. | know not we may never
knew. He ought to have received some
of my letter written III 7l-72. Please
examine and see ii anything can Ne found
among his old papers. 1t would be-
comfort TO know that he was assured that
we were endeavoring to find him. TO break
through the pail OF mystery that had fall
en- around his fate and fortune. II cou Il
only have found him there and got him
back. wrote some tor two or three " arS
then gave him up as dead. We have
heard nothing from him direct since he
went to Frazer River time time of excite
ment them, only rumOr of his being Secri
in Victoria, etc. The name OF Hight i
Is not Common-that OF Dennis Hight
sun more uncommon. No other family
of the name in Vermont. Did he leave
any letters photographs or trinkcts that
would make the identity more double?
Our thanks are due that the good peo-
Pile who gave him christian burial and
are caring for his children.
will confer with my surviving sister
and see what we can do.
Please give me the names Of the child
rcn in full, and everything OF interest
concerning them. When was he mar
ried?
There seems but little doubt perhaps
none. as TO the identity OF the man. vet |