Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-18
ROMANCE IN RtAL LIFE.
Begun in Afiuenoe in Chicago and
Continued in Poverty in
Chicago.
A Veritable PrOdigal Son Re.
claimed 90 Those who
MOurned Him Dead.
Little Rock Democrat.

Little Rock Democrat.
Henry Fuller, at the time Of tho
great FIRE, was one Of Cbicago's wealth
lest citizens The name Of Fuller il
one Of the most extensive aud honored
among the great business men OF his
State Mr. Fuller lost half million
Of property by the great FIRE. At that
time nc was extensively engaged IN
great enterprises which involved vas.
amounts OF money. He was noted for
his philanthropy, his kindly domestic
relations, and his affection aud care
for his kindred aud name. Mr.. f..
had brother at Quincy, LII who was
also we'll fixed in this worlds goods
and this brother had a son John.
to whom be had apportioned
his patrimony, and who had
started out on life's troubled sea
with golden prospects before him.
John Fuller married lovely woman,
whom be idolized, and, with the ad
vice and assistance of his U Uncle Henry,
his business prospered amazingly. The
uncle and nephew became more aud
more intimately associated during
these years OF Johns prosperity, but
finally an enlargement took place
between them. Then the great con.
aagration licked up with its fiery
tongue the uncle's vast fortune, and
he began again the battle OF lite at the
foot Of the financial ladder. In the
meantime John Fuller also met with
reverses. He became involved in un-
fortunate enterprises and speculations,
aud his fortune was swallowed up be.
fore he could extricate himself. Then
bis wife sickened and died aud John
Fuller, broken hearted and impoverish
ed, became a wanderer upon the face
OF the earth. Seventeen long years
has this restless lpirit wandered up
and down the land, cutting himself of
from communication with kindred
and friends, who have all this time
searched diligently for him; but no
tidings were ever received aud be was
long since given up tor dead by most
Of them.
In settling up his affairs after the
Chicago fire, Mr. Henry Fuller found
himself eatopped by some transactions
in which il was claimed John Fuller
had been interested with him and
which it was said John Fuller had
settled before his disappearance The
amount involved in this transaction
was about 100000, which at that
time was matter Of great moment to
the uncle not ohly on account of the
valuable addition it would be TO what
he saved from The wreck of the great
tire;but because be was satisfied he had
fallen among sharpers who were taking
advantage Of Johns supposed death
land consequently the removal of the
only witnessl to swindle him out of a
st sum OF money, and put a
dishonorable stain upon the memory
Of his nephew. Then Mr. Henry Fuller
commenced a systematic search for
tie wanderer. Every detective agency
and every postoffice was supplied with
a photograph and description, and re
wards offered for any information con.
cerui1g him. But it was all OF no
avail. Finally Henry Fuller died.
leaving large fortune behind His
wife vas made exeeutrix Of the estate.
and was confronted in the settlement
with the immense claim that had been
the bane of life OF her deceased hus
band. Fully conscious of its iraudu
lent character, she took up the thread
of search Tor the wandoror where il
had been broken of by the death OF
Henry Fuller. Years rolled on and
no tidings Of John A Fuller we're ever
received. But the widow, with com
mendable determination to claim her
own. and to clear the escutcheon OF
her kinsman of the foul stain put upon
1t by those who we're deirauiing her,
continued unremittingly the search
and about a year or more ago got
clue to John Fuller's Whereabouts and
soon located him near Little Rock
Several visits we're made TO this sec.
tion By the bsreaved widow. but no
progress was made aud the clue seemed
TO exhaust right here, aud almost in
despair the lady returned to Chicago
But two letters we're written TO john
a. Fuller and dropped into the Little
Rock office, where, after time they
we're advertised, aud the postoffi ce
authorities asked to keep an eye on
them. After q few weeks the letters
were called for and tho friends that
Mrs. Fuller had left on the watch here
we're informed. They took the trail
and finally located the young man in
a miserable hut near a saw mill about
four miles from the city, down on the
Memphis and Little Rock railroad.
Chicago was communicated with at
once, aud again the noble widow came
to Little Rock. Taking a carriage,
she sough. out the hut in the swamp
wilderness, and there. on a coarse bed,
in a smoke begrimed apartment, she
found the lolg lost nephew, almost
deiirious with swamp fever.
John, spoke tho lady, as she en-
tered the room, aud before the man
knew any other than his usual attend
ants were around,
is that Aunt Lib2" came family
in reply from under the coarse army
blanket.
Then followed a long consultation
in which the widow related to him the
eeaseless search that kindred and
friends had kept up for him; how a
mOther'g love had inspired and en-.
couraged when the searchers became
disheartened; how the name of the
lost one was not once omitted from
the daily prayers, how the world had
prospered father and kindred, and
the loving hearts and comlortabl,
home that waited to receive him, and
she besOpsht tho young man to return
With her.
But John Fuller had soruples. n,
had left home with the avowet
purpose Of regaiuing his iortun,
before he would return. He hat
not accomplished that His sur.
roundinge indicated that he wa
rather on the descending scale Of for
tune. Still the man had pride, and i
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