The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-04-25
A SINGULAR STORY.
Marriage, Murder. Desertion and
Miraculous Detection.

A Girl in Male Attire Crosses the Ocean
to Find Her Father--Success of Her
Mission-A Romance In
Perhaps the most romantic and start
ling story of facts that has ever come to
light in Iowa was related to your cor
respondent to-day. and which is GER
rainIy unknown to the citizens of
Dubuque. My informant is one of the
oldest and most influential citizens of
this city. In answer to the well-known
reporters query. Whats new." he
said: Il have long and interesting
story to tell you, and you will be the
first newspaper man to whom it has
ever been told by me-" Leaning back
in his cushioned chair and placing his
heels on an old-fashioned looking desk,
he told the following story: Away back
in the early days of Dubuque family,
consisting of man and wife and one
daughter, came here from st. Louis.
Their names will be withheld for the
present, but may be given later. The
husband and father engaged in the bust
ness of miner, and for a time was
quite successful. He was rather shabbily
dressed, but showed signs of refinement
and education in youth. He was a
Frenchman. After while he lost what
little money he had in the mining bust
ness, and became almost destitute. Du-
buque in those days was dreary will
derness, built mainly of frame shanties,
and populated for the most part by In
dams. lie, without any prospects
of making a living for himself and
family, became wreck, bordering upon
insanity, the sequel of which was his
being found dangling from rope in his
own room, cold in death, having COM
mitted suicide. His poor widow and
orphan girl were Frustrated with grief;
the former tainted at the CHASTITY sight
and remained in a comatose condition
for more than two days, at the end of
which time preparations were COM
pleted for the interment of the supposed
dead body. 1t was even inclosed in q
casket, when the startling discovery
was made that the person was only in a
swoon. 1t is needless to say that the
supposed lifeless form was immediately
removed, and such restoratives as were
procurable were quickly administered
by willing hands. She rapidly recov-
cred, and was soon in her former state
of health, but, as have made known,
in very destitute condition. and how
to exc out living for herself and child
added much to her distress. Eventually
she obtained situation as maid of all
work" In addition to this she taught
her child how to read, write, etc. Years
rolled by and the child grew to be a
young lady, earning her own living,
Dubuque was at this time rapidly grow
ing. Immigrants poured in from all
directions, charging Dubuque to quite
. village.
Among the new arrivals was a bow
who emigrated from Europe at the AGE
OF eighteen to seek a livelihood in the
great West. He possessed a remarka-
bic ambition to rise in the world. He
commenced on starvation salary, and
was afterward employed in little GRO
Gerry store, where he soon became
partner in the business. About this
time he met and fell in love with the
young lady have just referred to.
Though poorly clad she was exception
ally pretty and quite intelligent. This
brief acquaintance was only an intro
duction to long and clandestine court
ship which followed, a description of
which is unnecessary. Suffice It to saw
~ ana not deviate much from the rules
IN use at the present time. 1t was ola
fourteen months duration and ended.
rs the average play does. in a happy
marriage. though this happiness. it must
be said. was short-lived.. Five wears
swiftly passed-the mother-in-law dur
ing this time died-and three bright
little children were the fruits of that
period of conjugal life. Two were BOYS
and one girl. When the Youngest
was only three months old the father
became engaged m a quarrel with his
partner in business, during which he,
unintentionally. it is said, dealt him a
blow on the forehead, wounding him in
such manner as to cause his death a
few weeks after. He was held for trial
for murder-the trial lasting fourteen
days-and convicted of manslauyhter.
and was accordingly sentenced to life
at hard labor. This was
a terrible blow to the young wife and
mother, and for time fears of her he
coming insane were entertained. but
she braved the billowy sea of grief and
soon landed safe on the shores of good
health. The imprisoned life was soon
changed to free one. for after a life
md death struggle he succeeded in re-
easing himself from the prison walls.
dis escape was not detected for several
la$s, and his WHEREABOUTS was I'M