The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-01-24
. A SINGULAR STORY.
Marriage, Murder, Desertion and
Miraculous Detection.

Girl In Male Attire Crosses the Ocean
to Find Her Father-Success of Her
Misslon--A Romance In
Real Life.
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
rainly 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; II 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 shabbilv
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 almest destitute. Du-
buque in those days was a dreary will
derness, built mainly of frame shanties,
and populated for the most part by In
dams. He, 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
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 II living for herself and child
added much to her distress. Eventually
she obtained a 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, enlarging Dubuque to quite
q village.
Among the new arrivals was a boy
who emigrated from Europe at the age
great West. He possessed remarka-
BILE ambition to rise in the world. He
commenced on starvation salary, and
was afterward employed in little gro
Gerry store, where he soon became a
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 a long and clandestine court
ship which followed, description of
which is unnecessary. Suffice it to say
it did not deviate much from the ''rules"
in use at the present time. 1t was of a
fourteen months duration and ended,
as the average play does, in 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 in 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 manslaughter,
and was accordingly sentenced to life
imprisonment at hard labor. This was
. terrible blow to the young wife and
mother, and for time fears of her be-
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 life
and death struggle he succeeded in re-
leasing himself from the prison walls.
His escape was not detected for several
days, and his whereabouts was un-
known. A diligent search was kept up
Tor some time, but no trace of him
could be found. We will follow him,
however Immediately after his escape
he proceeded to New York, where he
took passage for Dublin, and arrived
there five weeks later. this being the
time it took in those days to sail across
the Atlantic. His arrival was greeted
warmly by his many friends and rela-
tons, as they were completely ignorant
Of his past career. Communication
with his wife and family was necessarily
cut of, as such action might possibly
lead to his discovery and capture. We
next find him employed in an extensive
linen factory on Sackville street, hold
ing the responsible position of foreman
Of the entire establishment. His integ-
rity, ambition Of fnrtbering his en-
a