The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-01-17
a STRANGE STORY,
Some Curious Observation-Disclosures
Complications.

complications
baltimore (Md.) SpeciaLl
On the breaking out of the war, James
Cosgrove, a young man of twenty-five
years, enlisted in the Confederate army,
and left his wife, to whom he
had been married but a few months,
with his parents in this city. No
tidings were ever heard of young Cos
grove, and his wife, after diligent inquiry,
ascertained he was a member of Virginia
regiment and had been promoted to Lieu
tenant. All efforts to communicate with
him were unavailing, and at last informa-
tion was received that Cosgrove's regiment
had been engaged in a fierce battle at Gull
pepper Courthouse and Cosgrove was one
of the killed. The latter news was brought
the wife by a comrade who had been taken
prisoner by the Federal soldiers, who by
means of powerful influence was enabled
to purchase his freedom and give up fight
ing. Mrs. Cosgrove was doubtful of her
husbands death, and for months and years
anXiously looked for a letter from him.
As time wore on she became Respondent,
and after the close of the war, upon find
ing that her husband did not return or
write to her, she came to the conclusion
he was either dead or had deserted her.
Mrs. Cosgrove'S father was a prominent
ship-builder in Delaware, and after his
death, in 1866, the entire estate, valued
at fifteen or twenty thousand dollars,
was left to his only daughter, Mrs. Cos
grove.
Every dollar of this money was spent in
searching for the absent husband. After
the money was all gone, Mrs. Cosgrove re-
- l., I
for her husband as dead. A few years
later she married Captain Edward God
frey, wealthy sea Captain, who only
survived his wedding few months. The
young widow was then only twenty eight
years of age, and being possessed of
means and very attractive in appearance
she had many suitors. To nearly all she
appeared cold and indifferent, and great
was the surprise manifested in 1878 when
she married James D. Cosgrove, ST., the
father of her first hus band. Although the
latter was rather advanced in years, being
then fifty-six years old, the newly married
couple appeared happy and contented.
The husband sold his little humble dwell
ing on Dallas street, few months ago,
and by the aid of a part of his young
wife's money, purchased handsome
dwelling on Lexington street, near FIRE.
mont.
The strange part of this story remains to
be told. When the deed for the new pur-
chase was about being passed to the Cos
grove family it was found that the sigma
ture of the daughter of the former owner,
a married lady residing in Richmond, Va,
was necessary for perfect title. Arrange
ments were made to have all the parties
interested in the property meet at Squire
McCaffray's office on Wednesday last a
week ago. All were promptly on hand.
The daughter from Richmond and her hus-
band We're the last to arrive. When the
latter appeared, Mrs. James Cosgrove, ST.,
arose from her seat and scanned him thor
oughly; then, resuming her seat, she kept
her eyes upon the stranger and closely
watched every movement. When he signed
his name "James D. Cosgrove, Jr.," she
exclaimed: g. knew it," and fell uncon-
scious to the floor. She was carried into an
adjoining room and restoratives admin
iStered. When she recovered she in
quired: "Where is he? Oh, where is
hew Being asked to explain what
she meant, she stated that "James D. Cos
grove, Jr." was none other than her first
husband, whom she had for eighteen years
mourned as dead. An effort was made to
have an interview with the recreant hus-
band, but it was found he had become
alarmed and fled. His wife was seen later
in the day at her hotel, and it was from
her ascertained that she had been married
to Mr.. Cosgrove for nine years past, and
borne him three children. She was un-
aware that he had ever been married, and
she remarked at the conclusion of the in
terview: "Well, his wife has another
husband, and she can't have mine" What
will be the result of the recent develop
ments can not now be gainsaid. Yet it is
a fact that Cosgrove, ST., and young Mrs.
Cosgrove are living together as man and
wife, and Mrs. Cosgrove No. has re-
turned to Richmond, and is with the long.
| lost husband. The sale of the house on
Lexington street had necessarily to be de-
| clared 50 off,"