The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-08
HER OLD LOVERS LEGACY.
The Dying BeQuest of a Brave Con
federate officer.

From the Ne,c York Star.
The denouement OF a romantic story of
war, love and disappointment was reached
few days ago when Mrs. Mary Moore, of
No. 1923 Atlantic avenue, Brooklyn, re-
ceived letter informing her that she was
one of the heirs of Henry c. Willett of New
Orleans
A reporter found Mrs. Moore last even
ing in her humble home. She is stout
woman, A. years old, with a very plea SAINT
face. She received the reporter cordially,
and talked frankly about the bequest She
told story such as is not often found out
side of a novel
Mrs$MOore's maiden name was Mary
iller. Twenty years ago she was
rosy-cheeked farmers daughter, and lived
with hsr parents Oh the borders of the his
toric Pennsylvania town of Getty sburg.
That district had many well-to-do farmers
at that time, and Mr.. Miller was one of the
number. Mary had the benefit of a good
education, as did her brothers and sisters
and the family was one OF more than ordi-
nary culture. When the war broke out
Mary's two brothers enlisted i'll the union
army.
Her father did not leave his homestead
even when the opposing armies approached
the town in 1868. lie aud his family were
days struggle began, and ths Miller home
stead was utilized b. the uuiou troops as a
hospital. Among the first prisoners taken
to the house was one Of the Miller boys,
aud the news soon after came that the
other had fallen dead IN tire field
Mary Miller although greatly distressed
over her brothers death, entered the
hospital as a nurse and ministared to the
wounds of the suffering soldiers. Among
the patients whom she attended was
young lieutenant of the confederate army,
Henry G. Willett, who fought in a regI-
ment in O'NeilPs command. He was
handsome fellow, but was so badly wounded
that the surgeons we're forced to amputate
his left arm.
Mary NJ Hers sympathy was aroused,
even though the young man had fought III
the army against her brothers. Young
Willet grew better fast, and bis pleasa It
manners and honest face soon won for him
the kind interest of every member of the
family.
Mr.. Miller, patriot that he was, became
surety to the government for the young
mans parole, aud he remained a regular
member of the family until he had entirely
recovered. As he grew strong once more
he began to take an interest in the pretty
farmers daughter, whose gentle hand had
cared for him in his Ill. ess. The interest
soon ripened into love, and whom, through
an exchange of prisoners, the young lieu
tenant was forced to return to his army
duties, he frankly told Mary that he loved
her and asked her to promise to be his
wife,
II thought then of my brother who had
boon killed, and Of the other one who had
been wounded" said Mrs. Moore as the tears
trlcklei down her cheeks, land | )uld rot
blind myself to the fact that the man who
asked for my hand was a rebel and that he
was fighting against my counJrys flag |
told him that could not accept his hand
After the war the Miller household was
broken up and the members scattered to
different places. Sarah wont to Staten
Island whore she subsequently became en-
gagged to William b. Allen, gran ls)n OF
Commodore Vanderbilt. The match was
broken off after two years and she was
married TO John Moore, n man who was
then well known in Brooklyn. Since her
husbands death, Mrs. Moore has supported
herself bv keeping boarders.
Three days ago letter from New Or
leans lawyer informed Mrs. Moore that she
had been left legacy by her OLD lover,
Henry c. Wiileit, who had died a short
time ago. Mrs. Moore does not know ju.t
what the amount is, but THINKS that it is
about 81, 900 The money will be very ac-
teptabie to her