Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-08-31
BIT OF ROMANCE.
A Young Man Who MysteriOusIy
Disappeared Sixteen Years
Ago Suddenly Turns Up.
SURPRISING THAT HE HAD
MURDERED A COMPANION
HE FLED TO TEXAS.
Returning Meets His Supposed
Victim.

Evening Post, August I'll
Il have something to tell YOU" re-
marked a gentleman yesterday to a re-
porter of the Post, and the reporter,
who is always in the search of news,
called upon the'gentleman at his place
of business on Preston street last
evening and obtained the following
statement, which forms a romantic
and interesting story in regard to a
former medical student OF this city by
the name Of B. +. Moore, who mys-
teriously disappeared from this city
in 1864, and from whom nothing was
heard until a few days since, when he
turned up in this city as mysteriously
as he disappeared sixteen years ago.
Moore was from Usage county, Mo-,
and was a student in one Of our medi-
cal colleges at the time mentioned.
At the same time there was q military
medical hospital here, situated on
Broadway, near Fourteenth street,
known as the Crittenden hospital, un-
der the charge of DR.. Bell. Here a
number Of surgical operations were
performed and a number of medical
students were admittedt to see the opera
tions upon invitation, and among the
number the hero of this narrative,
who was almost a daily attendant.
For a time he was a close student, but
drifting into bad company he became
dissipated and soon abandoned his
studies. Strong dring took possession
of him, and he became such a victim
to it that he nearly lost his reason.
One night, while service was going
on at the old Presbyterian church,
where now stands the Metropolitan
theater, he entered the building, when
he imagined, as he has stated since
his return, that his funeral was being
preached, he at that time being crazed
with drink. He lay down in one Of
the back seets and fell asleep. Being
unnoticed, he was left in the church
during the night, where he remained
until the sexton came to open and
clean out next morning, when he was
aroused and told to get out. Going
to the nearest saloon he asked for a
drink, which was denied him, he hav-
ing no money, and finally drifting in
the bar Of the old United States 10.
tel his wants we're supplied, the bar
keeper seeing that he actually needed
drink After his nerves were partially
quieted, he said to the bartender.
you have saved my life, for if | had
not got a drink | would have killed
myself. This is the last drink l will
ever take"
One Sunday afternoon after this he
met a party of his old chums, who
we're enjoying themselves near the
canal in the grove near Elm Tree
garden. They had plenty to drink
and insisted upon young Moore join.
ing them, which he refused to do wher
they commenced twitting him. Thi:
resulted iu a personal encounter be
tween him and one Of the party, anC
during the scufle which ensued youn.
Moore threw his antagonist into tn,
canal, and saw him sink, as he thought
for good. The thought of murder
flashed across his mind, and he ran OF
to Portland. About dark he cam,
up to the city, and being unable t,
hear Of his late antagonist, he becam,
satisfied that he was drowned, AM
fed the state, going to Texas, wher,
he lived under an assumed name
The young man whom Moore ha,
thrown into the canal succeeded il
getting out, but kept the matter O
his difficulty with Moore a secret.
The supposed murdered man som,
years ago moved to st. Louis. S
many years having elapsed since tn
affair referred to, and nothing havin.
been published of a murder, Moor,
determined to pay a visit to hi
friends in this city. From Texas h
went to st. Louis, to come from Their
to this city. While in st. Louis walk
ing one of its great thoroughfares
WhaJ was MS surprise and delight [
meet the man he supposed he hat
murdered, and on account of whor
he had been in exile in Texas for s
many years. Approaching him, h
said, your name is calling him b
name), is it not ?" to which the othe
replied in the affirmative. A histor
of the past was gone over, mutui
congratulations passed, and the tw
pledged eternal friendship to eac
other.
Moore made a visit to this city
short time ago, where he met an oil
friend, from whom the above facts ar
ascertained. A few days since he lie
in search Of his parents in Osaq
county, Mo-. after which he will r.
turn to st. Louis, where he and b
companion, whom he thought he ha
murdered by throwing him into tn
canal, will form a partnership. l
fact, in some cases, truth is strange
than fiction.