davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

though friendly to Turner, knew it
would please Letitia to have him
brought back, and, when he had sue
ceeded in effecting Turner's rescue,
bowed humbly to Letitia and said:
Il did it, my dear girl, to make you
happy" He disappeared again from
Erie at once. and did not return, though
Letitia and Turner urged him by letter
to come back. Letitia accepted Tur-
ner's proposal, but again the stern
James Duncan, Letitia's father, drove
Turner away, and swore by all that was
holy, his daughter
SHOULD NOT MARRY HIM.
In those olden days sons and daugh-
toned to strict obedience, without a
single word of remonstrance. Letitia
.succumbed to her stern fathers
will, though heartbroken, and bid
Turner fond farewell. He
returned at once to the frigate Lawrence
moody, heartbroken, diScOnSOlate. He
was formerly the happiest man on
board, and was wonderfully popular.
He dropped day by day, and one day,
when in fit of deep detection, he in
suited brother officer named Lieut..
Sinatt. Sinatt promptly resented it and
challenged Turner to a duel, and the
challenge was prOmptly-nay eagerly
accepted. Though both men knew the
serious consequences attending such a
rash act, no hesitation occurred in the
preparations. The men met, and
Turner seriously wounded Sinatt.
The affair created q great
Juror on land and sea, and Letitia, in
her simple tavern home, suffered the
most agOniZing suspense. The naval
authorities took immediate steps to
punish Turner. and he was at once ar
rested and placed under guard on board
the Lawrence. He wrote one fond and
last farewell letter to Letitia, which
could not be found among her
effects, though one can easily sur
mise what there was in it. Late
one night, when pacing the deck,
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
God bless and protect you are the sim
cere prayers of your affectionate


TURNER"
The next one was written after Tur-
ner had learned that
BUCHANAN HAD RETURNED TO ERIE
i'll hopes that his absence had sOftened
Letty'S heart towards him. Turner,
while fearing Buchanan had made some
headway, refers to the matter in a deli
cate way, as will be seen. Turner had
this time written from another vessel.
A period of two years had elapsed, for
the lieutenant had been cruising on war
ships in foreign waters, and wrote the
following letter on his return to the
United States, and, as will be seen, had
been promoted to second lieutenant:
''U. S. Frigate Java, Hampton Roads,
Aug. 25, 5,1S15.-My Dear Girl: wrote
you soon after my arrival in the United
States and have never received a single
line from you since. fear you have
forgot me. Let me assure you, my dear
girl, my love for you is unbOunded;
should you have formed an attachment
for any other person during my alb
sence why not say SO to me?
You certainly ought to know
Turner well enough to know that
anything that will contribute
to your happiness will also contribute
to his. You are acquainted with my
pecunlary affairs and know me not to be
wealthy should you have formed an
attachment for any person, God grant
he may be worthy of your love and that
your days may glide on as glides the
stream that never stays-tO hear of your
health and happiness will be the means
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

splendidly educated, though not al
kind, and to the day of her death knew
not the slightest rudiments of cook
ing, sewing or other household duties.
When about eighteen years of age she
was the belle of the town and country,
and every swain for miles around laid
his heart at her feet. Wonderfully
beautiful, with long raven black hair
and deep black eyes, one loved her at
sight. Her grace, courtliness, noble
character and pure mind were the talk
of the village, and she relgned supreme.
Across the street from her fathers tav-
ern was a printing office, and here
young Buchanan was an apprentice.
He lived at the tavern and ...
THERE MET LEFTY DUNCAN,
falling in love with her at once. He
began his cOurtSnip, and his suit pros
pered rather fairly until Mr.. Duncan,
learning the state of affairs, forbade
Buchanan the house and elected him
therefrom. James and Letitia met Sc
cretly, however, and thus matters stood
until handsome Dan Turner appeared
on the scene, in the pretty uniform of a
second lieutenant of the United States
navy. He stopped at the tavern
when passing through the village, and
accidentally met Lefty. 1t was a case
of mutual love at first sight, and from
that hour Buchanan's love was hop e.
less, though he knew it not at that time.
One should not understand nv this th at
Lefty heartlessly led him on, or
was in any respect the CO.
quette. Though Buchanan wrote her
letter after letter, telling of his fierce,
undying love, and couched in the most
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

Two miles in the country, while plung-
ing through huge drifts, tn sleigh sud-
denly sank almost from sight and the
POLE SNAPPED FROM THE SLEIGH.
Unhitching the horses, the party
struggled to the nearest farm house and
borrowed bob, three planks on a pair
of runners. The journey was continued.
Passing through a strip of gloomy
woods, Erwin looked behind, and, with
aquick jump, exclaimed:
For Heavens sake, Tim, look behind
usr
Tim turned. .
Evolves, be the heavens" he ex-
claimed, and brought his whip heavily
on the horses. They broke into a gal
lop, and the wolves increased their pace
until alongside. On flew the bob, and
on came the wolves. The road led over
holes and buried stumps. Occasionally
Tim snapped his whip sharply at the
wolves, and they would drop behind,
only to come on again. Finally, we
emerged into a clearing, and the beasts
skunk back into the forest.
A few miles further on we came to
the place where Mrs. Bovee resided
when alive, and, entering the house,
were introduced to Mrs. Stewart, aged
eighty-four.
YES" she said, Lefty died here,
poor soul. I'll give you all the papers
have" and, returning with box, emp
tied its contents on the bed, from which
the reporter selected what papers he de-
sired. a
"Yes," said Mrs. Stewart, in answer
to question, Lefty often spoke of Bu-
chanan, but not so often as she spoke of
Lieut.. Turnef, Buchanan'S successful
rival.
YOU SEE, BUCHANAN WAS POOR,
and Letty's parents were very cruel,
especially her father" Her other re-
marks make up portion of the story
given below. Two miles further the
party drove to the pretty home of Far
mer E. Wrigley. He kindly brought
out letters. trinkets, ETC., that tell the
tale. He is the administrator of
.'Letty's" effects, which are now in the
possession of the GLOBE representa-
tive.
Letitia Duncan was born in tavern
in Erie, Pa, Aug. 90, 1890. Her father
kept the place, and it was known by the
battered sign in front as the Farmers
Tavern" Here Letitia was raised and
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

woman. In her youth it's said she was
very fair, and people raved over her
beauty. At the age of eighty-four
Letitia was persuaded to marry
man named BOvee, aged forty-twO.
He had endeayOred to borrow S100 of
Letitia'S $500, but brave old Farmer
Wrigley-an honest, God-fearing, con-
scientiOuS man-wOuld not allow the
loan. Bovee told Lefty that he could
invest her money and double it, and on
this representation she married
him, on condition that no mar
ital relations exist between them.
The marriage occurred, and BOvee
took the poor old lady's $500 and fled.
Good Farmer Wrigley came to her res
cue, and, aided by the pension Mrs.
wounds in the war of 1S12-14, they lived
quite comfortably. At her death Mr..
Wrigley came to their aid, paid all the
funeral expenses, and, with the help of
his good wife,
LAID HER PEACEFULLY TO REST.
The GLOBE reporter has in his pos
session, also, Letitia's Book of Common
Prayer, presented to her in 1858, with
her name written therein in her own
beautiful, delicate handwriting. In ad-
ditiOn to this. the reporter has a book
called the "MirrOr of Graces," pub
lished in 1918, by l. Riley,
No. 4 City Hotel, New York,
c. Wiley printer. This book has
had endeavored to erase, but could not.
In it. all the way through, various pas
sages were marked, and there were
many marginal notes in Buchanan's
handwriting. This was among Letitia's
effects, and, Mrs. Stewart says, was
presented by Buchanan.
Thus President Buchanan's assertion
that he would never marry was strictly
adhered to. Letitia'S oath that she would
marry no one, il not Turner, was ad-
hered to. as their family looked upon
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

rivals. resolved to brave the old mans
wrath, and together marched into the
kitchen, where their queen happened to
be. They were compelled to retreat,
as Lefty attacked the advancing body
with an iron ladle, saying:
"This is no place for gentlemen"
Turner, however, was Letty's lover,
and she acknowledged him as the one
she loved. He was soon obliged to join
his vessel, and here Buchanan scored
point
BY PROPOSING TO LEFTY.
Sad to relate, she rejected him.
his room and, sitting there, wrote to
Lefty the following letter:
my Dear Letitia-I shall never link
my fortunes with any one, my dearest
girl, unless they are with you. Your
fathers cruelty is measured by the
depth of my pocket. l shall never
marry, Lefty, dearest, so fare thee we'll
until death. JAMES BUCHANAN.
He thought the reason Lefty rejected
him was because of her fathers aver
sion to him on account of his menial po-
sition and poverty. The truth is, how
ever, that Lefty was devotedly in love
with Turner, and wanted to accept him
as her husband. Some time previous to
dOOtC lCttCI ldunCHCO
into poetry, and one day his 'only
queen" Letitia was the recipient of the
following, written in a cramped hand
and dedicated to her
TO LETTTIA DUNCAN.
Her lovely hair in ringlets wore,
And hanging over her shoulder,
She was fit to entice the heart
OF any man who'd behold her.
Her teeth were white, as the ivory showed.
And her breath was spice wherever it flowed.
Her father was cruel.
A sight of me he could not endure.
The reason why? Because was poor.
] dast not enter the dwelling
Where dwells mylovely jewel.
JAMES BUCHANAN.
This poetry Lefty seemed to prize
highly, and carried it con tinually until
a few weeks before her death, when
IT WAS LAID AWAY IN A BOX.
Though rejected, Buchanan still
continued to write passionate let
ters to his lost love. but they
''could only be good friends" !"
Lefty said, and Buchanan finally
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17


the marriage to Bovee as a farce, and
she would not allow any one to call her
aught but Letitia Duncan-and so reads
the tombstone.
Thus three lives were shattered, three
handsome young people remained un-
married, and one of the saddest of
stories found life. 1t is page of his
tory that was never known, and the
truth of it cannot be doubted by any
sane person who examines the letters
and trinkets the GLOBE reporter has in
his keeping. @ ...-.,-
Picture to your mind small. neat,
snOw-covered mound in a bleak and
desolate spot, and drop tear for poor
Letitia. Afar off are two other snow
covered graves where sleep those men
who died of broken hearts for her who
rests so far from them. Drop a tear for
all. WITT KENNETH COCHRAN.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Ex-Premier Norquay Shows
His Delight in the Mani
toba Legislature
Over the Downfall of the In
competent Harrison Ad-
miniStration.
The Democrats of the Iowa
Assembly Nominate Major
Anderson for Senator.
The Slayer Of Neal McKeague
Observation-Disclosures
Notes.

Special to the Globe.
WINNIPEG, Man., Jan. 16.-The legis-
lature met this afternoon, when Premier
Harrison announced the resignation of
the government and asked for an ad-
jOurnment until next Thursday to give
Greenway an opportunity of forming a
government. Harrison and cabinet re-
signed at II o'clock, and GeeenWay was
promptly sent for by the governor. Be-
ing asked if he would undertake the
formation of ministry, Greenway con-
Sented, and is now engaged in constitut-
ing cabinet, his party being at present
uniting in caucus. 1t is understood
Greenway will he premier, commissioner
of railways and minister of agriculture,
and Joseph Martin Will be attorney gen.
eral. Mayor Jones, of Winnipeg, is
likely to be found a seat and made
provincial treasurer and minister of
public works. PrendergaSt, who de-
serted from the French party, will prob
ably be made provincial secretary. 1t
was remarkable scene in the house
When the government announced its de-
feat. Old man Norquay, whose face
was beaming with delight over his final
triumph over Harrison, started up and
down the floor of the house singing
"One More River to Cross" His sup
porters followed him, and for a time
Bedlam reigned and there was high
old time. 1t is probable there will be
an early dissolution.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Iowa LEGISLATURE.

Special to the Globe.
DEs MONIES, TO-, Jan. 16.-The
Democratic members of the general
assembly met in joint caucus this even
ing and nominated Maj. T. ]. Anderson,
late Democratic candidate for governor,
for United States senator. he being the
only candidate. There was some in
formal talk of taking up an anti
monopoly Republican as candidate in
order to give such Republicans as are
dissatisfied with Wilson's nomination a
chance to vote for one of their own
political faith, but as very few
Republicans seem disposed to break
away from the action of the caucus it
was conceded that such movement
would be injurious. The question of
the constitutionality of the last legisla-
tive gerrymander was discussed. and a
committee of three, with Senator Bal
ter, chairman, was appointed to pre-
pare protest against the legality of the
election of United States senator by this
legislature as at present organized, and
to have the same spread upon the jour
nal of the joint assembly. This is in
tended to pave the way for contest in
case the senate is Democratic in 1889.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

but iron and coal are believed to be
there in great quantities. The desire OF
the Duluth q Southwestern company to
traverse the reservation with its road
look into the magnificent country with
longing eyes. Not only Northern Min
nesOta, but Dakota, would be greatly
benefited by the opening of at least a
portion of the section. Annually there
seems to be growing determination to
compel the abOrigines to give up pOr-
tions of the valuable lands which they
do not appreciate, will not develop. and
which the ambitious, determined and
progressive white race seeks to dOmin-
ate. The Red Lake reservation is upon
the list, and may be attended to by this
congress.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

mound, and apparently forgotten, is all
that remains of one whose fair, girlish
beauty, courtliness of manner and noble
character in years gone by were
responsible for three broken hearts
and a fearful tragedy. At her
feet president of the United States
laid his all, only to meet with bitter dis
appointment and lifelong suffering,
born of unrequited love. Retiring into
celibacy, he never allowed his thoughts
to assume the shape of affection for any
other, and died unmarried. Here is
page of unwritten history; story of
one of the saddest romances that
ever appeared in print, and
chapter which every American
will read with interest. Numerous idle
rnmorS have often been circulated as to
why President James Buchanan never
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Wisconsin Failures.

MINIATURES, Jan. Fisherman &
Bell, the oldest auction firm in the city,
assigned to-day. Liabilities, s26,OOOl
assets not stated. A dispatch from Port
Washington says that receiver was
to-day appointed for the private bank
of James Vail. He furnished bond in
the sum of $4,000. The cause of the
failure is unknown, and the amount Of
assets and liabilities is not stated.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Judge Francis Again.
Special to the Globe.

SptCIdI 10 the GIOpe-
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-Judge Fran.
els was respited by the president in the
matter of his resignation, until Febru.
ary. Hence there is renewed activity
in the demand for his resignation. The
department of justice has not ceased TO
receive letters concerning the case.
However, it is believed that he will be
next july.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

with huge snOw-drifts. Postmaster
Dave Erwin, genial young gentleman,
entered heartily into the scheme to drive
to the old home, land arrangements were
made to go in the early morning. Sun
day morning the thermometer regis
tered II deg. below, but the idea was
not abandoned for an instant. Good
hearted Tim Foley secured a double
sleigh, and away we went, Tim driving.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Killed by a Tree.

Special 70 the GI0be.
GRAFTON, Dak., Jan. 16.-Samuel
Olson, prominent farmer of this viein-
ity, met with sudden death this fore
noon while cutting timber three miles
east of here. The tree which he was
cutting fell on him. The weather for
the past week has been severe. A man
was picked up unconscious and almost
frozen near here yesterday. No mail
from st. Paul since Wednesday.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
An Engineer Killed.

SptCIaI 70 tnc GIOUt.
SIOUX CITY, To-, Jan. 16.-O. A. Saw
yer, of this city, an engineer of the
Omaha road, was instantly killed this
afternoon on his engine while bucking
snow near Haskins, Neb., sixteen miles
four shovelers slightly injured. They
made run into big cut, when the en-
gine broke down and left the track, the
caboose crashing into the engine.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
N King is Doing Better.
cisl to the Globe


WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-Hon. John
81. King, of Rapid City, is doing good
work for the Dawes bill, notwithstand-
ing the fact that some of his earlier ae-
tions were sharply criticised. He is en-
ergetic, earnest and we'll equipped for
the work by reason of many years resi-
dence on the river and in the hills; on
both sides of the reservation. He is
pleasant of address, honest and untir-
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
His Bond Fixed.

Special to the Globe.
WAUsAU, Wis, Jan. 16.-The bond
of Louis Schlecht, who shot and killed
Louis Butler, was fixed to-day in the
circuit court at $1,000. He will have no
trouble in getting sureties and will be
released from jail tomorrow.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Death of Capt. Levi Ober.

SptCIHI 20 tuG GIUUt.
CHATFlELD, Minn., Jan. 16.-One of
Chatfield's oldest citizens, Levi Ober,
died Saturday evening. He was born
in 1925, coming to Chattield in 1857. In
1868 he enlisted in Company A, Second
Minnesota, where he served four years,
gaining the title of captain. He was a
an active part In poIities. aTa{s Ills funera %
took place this afternoon. and was con-
Quoted by the G. A. r. post of this
place.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Fire at Cedar Rapids.

Special 70 the Globe.
CEDAR RAPIDS, To-, Jan. 16.-Fire
broke out in I. Kelly's fish and produce
store at IL tonight, completely cutting
it and damaging the Pacific tea store
and the Knights of Pythias hall. Loss
$4,000, covered by insurance. An eXplo-
sion occurred, hurling Chief Ayers and
four assistants down a flight of stairs,
but they escaped.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Ashland Criminals.

Special to the Globe.
= ASHLAND, WIS.,, Jan. 16.-J. j. Hef-
fern, bartender, was bound over ia
the circuit to-day for committing an as
sault with intent to kill. George Me-
without a license.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
A Pioneer Dead.
Special to the Globe.

Special 10 the GLOBE.
HENDERSON, Mimi. Jan. 16.-Dr. NJ.
r. Wilcox, clerk of the district court.
died at his home in this city Friday
evening, aged sixty-one years. The
funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon.
He was one of the oldest officers in the
state, having held the clerkship for
nearly thirty years. Deceased was a
leading Democrat and one of the oldest
physicians and residents of Sibley
county, coming here in 1856. He leaves
a wife and eleven children. Deputy 9.
G. Wilcox, his son, has been appointed
clerk,
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

to Erie and tell you all about my un-
fortunate affair. Keep up your spirits
my dear girl and believe me yours
affectionately, d. TURNER"
I Miss Letitia Duncan"
Thus Buchanan came nobly to the
rescue of his successful rival, and by
hard, unceasing work restored him to
the arms of his beloved. Buchanan.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Looking Out for Lands.
Special to the Globe.

Special 70 the GI0be.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The general
land office is pretty well flooded with
fand entries in the neighborhood of
Pelican Lake. 1t seems from indica-
tions here that that section is just COM
ing into favor with the pioneers. The
entire Red Lake reservation is said to
be exceedingly desirable to settlers, not
merely for its agricultural advantages,
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

endearing terms. Lefty never told him
that she returned his affection or favored
his advances. The contest between
Buchanan and Turner waged hot, and
again old man Duncan took a hand by
fOrbidding Turner to enter the house.
Finally one day Turner and Bu-
chanan, who were on the most
friendly terms, though acknowledged
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Pensions Granted.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The follow
ing Minnesotians were granted pensions
to-day: Mary E., mother of Thomas Z.
Golding, Viola; original, Rufus Z. Dra-
per, Fergus Falls; Daniel II. Stark
weather, Sunrise.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Doomed for the Pigeon Hole.

Special to the GLOBE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-The bill Of
Delegate Clifford for the admission of two
Dakotas as states ''to onct'' will die in
committee. Mr.. Springer is known to
be so determinedly set against any such
bill that he will permit it to sleep in
consecrated pigeon hole. in his commit
tee room. Not sound will be heard,
not funeral note, nor any other re-
QUEEN as it is showed into its legislative
SarcOphaguS
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17

Turner" or, in tones of esteem and re-
spect to "James." Occasionally. while
sitting at the window thinking, tear
would appear in either eye. There
that brOken-hearted, cruelly-treated
woman sat for years, doing nothing but
thinking. No work had ever been done
by her hands, and to the day of her
death one would Call her beautiful
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
A Canard.

Special to the Globe.
PRINCETON, Minn., Jan. 16. The
story about the Swede killing his wife
and seven children, twenty miles from
Princeton. is a canard. The rumor was
founded on the Nessel affair at Rush
CITY week ago.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
A Miner Killed.

Special to the Globe.
DEs MONIES, To-, Jan. 16.-William
Andrews, coal miner working in the
Union cOmpany's shaft in SevastopoI,
was crushed to death this afternoon by
falling slate.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
The SaIVatiOnistS.

Special to the Globe.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis, Jan. 16-Maj.
Gen. Evans, of the Salvation army, has
arrived from Chicago. He will lease
public hall for year for meetings, and
organize regiment here.
St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-17
Dakota Postal Changes.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16.-A postoffice
was to-day established at Clifford, Law
renee county, Dakota. John ID. Yale
was appointed postmaster. The postof-
flee at Bear Gulch, Lawrence county,
Dakota, was discontinued to-day.