The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1888-08-09
A Pathetic Story.

The day that the Republican Con-
yention in this city completed its work
an episode occurred that brought tears
to the eyes of many witness. Frank
K. Goodwin of San Francisco came
here with the California delegation.
While en- route many story of per-
sonal experience had been told, and
finally Goodwin related his own. The
last time he had been in Chicago was
VIXEN he was lad of Il years old. He
and his mother had left Baraboo. Wis,
where his father had died, and they
were going to New York to live. At
the Lake Street Union Depot they be-
came separated. and he got on a train
that was Just starting out, thinking his
mother would be found in one of the
coaches. He did not see her, but
learned that he was on an excursion
train bound for Niagara Falls The
cars were crowded and he crawled in
between two seats, the backs of which
were turned together, and soon fell
asleep. When he awoke the lamps
were burning, and he knew it was
night. He was hungry, but he lay still
and again went to sleep. Finally the
train reached Buffalo and he got out
with the crowd. Some one told him
he could 90 direct to New York from
there and he went boldly up to buy a
ticket. He had but 81 in his little
pocketbOok, and the price was 81. 45.
Finding he could not get it for less he
began to cry and an old man gave him
enough to buy a ticket and have lit
tie change left. He reached New York
safely, but no one at the depot had
seen his mother. He knew no one in
the great city, but he bravely started
out to find something to do. Before
night he was running errands about
a big store and had been promised 81
II he was satisfactory.
For six years he worked for the firm
and then he grew dissatisfied and de-
termined to see something of the
world. He had heard nothing OF his
mother, but was in hopes of yet find
ing her. He got chance to work his
way to New Orleans on a sailing YES
sci, and from there went up the river
to St. Louis. Then he went to Cali
fOrnia and worked in store for year.
One day an old miner asked him to 90
and help him work his claim, and
within a week he was in mining
camp. For ten months they met with
discouragement and then they struck
''pay dirt" Goodwin had secured a
half interest in the mine and he sold his
share for $4,000. Then he began
spcculating in mining property and
made money rapidly.
Several of his friends were coming
to the Chicago Convention and he de-
termined to join them. He had writ
ten to people here time and again in
the hope Of getting track Ofhis mother,
but without success, and never expect
ed to hear of her again. Monday af-
ternoOn last rs Goodwin and party
of friends were leaving the Auditorium,
a patrol wagon drove down Wabash
avenue. Goodwin saw it, looked earn
estly a moment, and then had police
man stop it. 1t contained an aged
woman who was being taken to the
poor-hOuse. She was GoOdwin's moth
er.
An affecting scene followed, and the
feeble old woman could hardly realize
her good fortune. The few thousand
dollars she had when her boy was
lost were spent in trying to find him,
and finally under the great mental
strain her health had given away and
she could no longer support herself
The poor-house was the last resort, but
she did not reach there. A carriage
was called and the patrol wagon re-
Srned to its station, while mother and
son We're driven to a hotel. During
the week suitable wardrobe was pre-
pared for her, and yesterday the rich
Californian and his feeble mother
started for his home on the Pacific
coast Chic0GO 2I'iIHHs.