The Portland daily press., 1886-07-23
THE POWER OF THE PRESS.
A Long-Iost Relic Restored-RemIn-
Iscences of the War.

tSan Francisco Daily d-Union, July 3.
On the 18th of last month the following
item appeared in the local columns of the
| Record Union:
The Governor is in receipt Of the following
letter, which explains itself, and is indica-
tive of how the sectional feeling between the
North and South is dying out;
| RICHMOND, Va, May 22 1865.
To His Ercetteney, Governor StonenGn, SGers-
Dear SHRINKING might crafty an old sol
\ dier, or perhaps, alaSl shis family | purchased
| from negro man badge, shield-shaped, in
staff, war Of 1861" The badge seems to be Of
| silver, with two sabres crossed, OF gold. gave
| the fact to local paper hoping to learn some
owner, since would be glad to have any trine Of
the sort returned to me. will send 1t to you to
be forwarded, if you choose.
p. o. Box 314, Richmond, Va.
The Governor says he remembers that in
1861 Captain Goodenow was one of his staff,
but he has not seen nor heard from him since
the close of the war.
The letter was published at the request Of
the Governor, who has unlimited faith in the
''power of the press" The publication had
the desired effect as His Excellency yester-
day received letter from the widow Of
Col. GOodenow, who is a resident of the
State of Maine. A copy of the published
letter having fallen in her hands, she imme-
diately addressed the Governor as follows:
FARMINGToN, Me-. June 26, 1886.
To HIS Ercellency, Governor Stonensan:
Dear Sir-I take the liberty Of inclosing to you
two slips from the Chronicle OF this town, which
will explain the occasion OF my addressing you.
If the relic mentioned is in your possession, will
be most grateful if you will it to be return
ed to me, and will gladly pay all charges am,
respectfully, yours LUCY B; GooDENow;
Pennington, Me.
OF the slips referred to in the letter, one is
local item relative to her discovery Of
news of the relic through the first publica-
tiOn referred to. The other is the obituary
notice of her late husband, Colonel Nathan
Cutler GOOdenOw, who died at his home in
Pennington on the 9th of February last.
Deceased was born at Wilton, in 1881. He
was the son Of Robert Goodenew, an eminent
and successful lawyer, who held many posi-
tions of public trust and who represented
the Second Congressional District of Maine
in the Thirty-sec0nd Congress. Deceased
was reared and educated in Harrington, a
graduate of Bowdoin College, afterwards
studied law in his fathers Office, and was
admitted to the bar in September, 1852, and
commenced the practice of his profession at
Phillips. In 1854 he changed his residence
to Chicago, Ill, where he had large prac-
tice. At the beginning of the war of the
rebellion, in 1861, he enlisted as Second
Lieutenant in the Second Illinois Artillery,
but was afterwards transferred to another
body of troops, which became part Of the
9th Illinois Cavalry. He served with this
regiment during the war, and partic-
pated in many hard fought battle. Gener-
al Stoneman says he remembers him as being
a brave, daShing and intrepid officer, and
added: HE was captured at the same time
l was, and confined in the same prison"
Since the close of the war he resided por-
tion of thetime in the West, but for some time
prior to his death he lived at Pennington.
After the war henever resumed the practice
of his profession or engaged in any other
business occupation, but led quiet and re-
tired life occupied with his private business
affairs and the care of his family. He was
severely wounded in battle during the war,
lost the sight of an eye, and ever after re-
manned an invalid.
The letter from the widow, together with
the clippings from the Pennington Chronicle
were forwarded to Mr.. Ryland with the fol-
lowing letter:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, EXECUTIVE De
PARTMENT, SACRAMENTO, Cal. July 2, SO
Mr.. NorUeU Ryldnd, Richmond, Virginia:
Dear Sir:-Upon receipt OF your letter, not
knowing the address of Captain Goodenow, his
former staff officer, the Governor gave your COM
munication to the Record-U Unionwith the OBJ
ject of reaching him, if possible, through the
press-that ubiquitous medium. This day the en-
closed communication reached this office. The
Governor would esteem it a favor il you would be
kind enough to forward the relic to the widow OF
Colonel Goodenow direct, or TO himself.
Yours truly j: j: ToBIN,
Private Secretary.