Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-12-03
FROM REAL LIFE.
A ROMANTIC STORY, CONCERNING WEST
VIRGINIA FAMILIES. '
-Four Sisisrs Separated for Quarter Of Century,
None Of Them Knowing Their
True Names.

A romantic story of real life, involving
in its recital q number of West Virginia
people, has just come to light through the
death of Eli Powell, of Pittsburgh. The
matter dates back to the war, and is Of
general local interest. The night before the
battle of Res Ringe, Powell, Thomas Mar
ion, and third soldier, while lying in .
tent, mutually sgreed that should either
be killed, the others were to care for his
family. Marion was shot, and died in q
hospitsl at Parkersburg. According to
agreement Powell took the four daugb-
ters of the soldier, Kate, Lizzie, Laura and
Minnie, and cared for them. Afterwards
Katie was taken by a family in Psrkers-
burg. Lizzie was adopted by q wealthy
farmer named Gould, in Wood county.
Minnie was taken by q family uamtd
Jones in Parkesburg, who moved away,
and abe afterwards was taken by family
named Cochran, in Newark, W. Va. Laura
was looked after and cared for by Mr..
Powell, and does not remember anything
at all about relatives, abe being only 3
years old. Mr.. Powell moved 10 Pitts
burgh in 1872.
Mr.. Powell paid visit 10 Parkersburg,
some time sgo. The purpose in view
was kept from Laura. HIS visit was
solely devoted to search for her sis.
ters. He found Kate, the eldest, and she
was married 10 "a we'll 10 do and prosperous
carpenter named William Glenn, who
was living at Rsvenswood. He continued
his search for the other sisters, Lizzie and
Minnie, and found Minnie at Newark, w.
Va, with the lady named Cochran. These
two sisters were living within twenty
miles of each other and one had never
known or heard of the other. Through
some words Mr.. Powell dropped when he
returned Laura began to think there was q
mystery about her life, and began iDquir-
ing about herself 10 her father, as she
thought him to be. He told her he had
been 10 see her sistsrs, and also told her
where they lived. Laura then Immediately
opened up communication with her sisters,
Katie and Minnie, whom che never re-
membered to have seen. Mr.. Powell in
formed her that he desired to live
to see the day that the sisters would oil be
reunited, and Laura was equally as any
ious, and determined to do all in her
power to bring about reunion. She
started for this city, on October 8,
1885, and then went to Raverswood, o.
Ga arriving there che found tia. her
sister Katie had moved away, and was
told by sister-in-law that they had gone
TO Gallipolis, o. She Immediately left for
Gallipolls; arriving there she could not
fird anything about her sisters where
abouts, and she wandered about until
tired and weary ADD was taken sick, and
was thrown upon the tender mercies Of a
family named Fultz, who were perfect
strapgers to her, but who cared for her and
treated her kindly during a period Of
three wesks. The doctor in attend
ance had given up all hope Of
her recovery and Immediately ttls-
gIaphed for Mr.. Powell to 20 on at once.
On his arrival she was found to be much
improved, and the next day Mr.. Powell
procured skiff and started to row up the
river, stopping at all the little hamlets
and towns, making inquiries for Mr..
Glenn, and at last found him at Point
Pleasant. He then took Minnie who
WAS living with her sister Katie at This
time down to where Laura was at CALI
polls, and the next dsy she was able to
Journey 10 Point Pleasant, where the three
of the four sisters were reunited. The
wEereab outs OF Lizzie is still unknown.