The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-06

Another Instance Of the Strange Thlnsi
Civil War Makes Possible,
s., LOuii GlObe.DeROeraL
Nelson Holden, Of Troupe county, Ga
Joined one Of the first regiments from
that State when the war broke out, He
left behind a young wife, having been
married only few months. Holden
was good soldier, and only once did he
obtain a furlough and visit his wife,
He was at home for short time in the
summer OF 1883, and soon alter he re-
turned TO the war he was taken prisoner.
Before Holden had an opportunity OF
writing 10 his wife after his capture, he
was taken III with slow malarial fever,
When captured, Holden had be-
come separated from his COM
pany, and his comrades thought
he had been killed In the
battle. Mrs. Holden's first notice OF the
supposed death OF her husband was con-
tanned in some resolutions passed by his
company, copy OF which was forward
ed to the family Without making any
investigation, Mrs. Holden mourned her
husband as dead, while he was lingering
between life and death In a Northern
prison, It was many months before he
fully recovered from the effects OF the
terrible fever, Holden was not released
until after the close OF the war, aud,
weak from his long illness and penniless,
he started to make his way 10 the little
home in Georgia, He was compelled TO
seek employment several times to earn
money to continue his journey, and 1t
was late in the autumn OF 1865 when
Holden came In sight OF the little home.
He was wreck oil his former self, and
fully realized that 1t would be difficult
for his own wife 10 recognize him,
Arriving at the home he had left
more than two years before, Holden
found II occupied by strangers, Without
disclosing his identity no asked where
Mrs, Holden was, "0h, she married
Chris Jones and moved away last
spring" was the answer he received,
Holden was Frustrated by the shock
Of this startling intelligence, but with
out giving his name, he turned and
walked slowly away from the little home
where the happiest hours OF his life had
been passed. He made no effort to find
his wife, but continued his journey to
Clay county, Ala, Holden worked a
while as farm laborer, and finally saved |
enough money to purchase Q small farm
OF his own. In time the old love was |
forgotten and he married again, Holden
prospered, and after few years owned
one Of the best farms in the county.
Several children were born, and 1t was
not long until his first marriage seemed |
like dream. About four years ago Mrs.
Holden No. died, leaving five children
About year after the death OF his
wife Mr.. Holden sold d portion OF his
farm to man named Jones, from Geor-
gla. Mr.. Jones built house and moved
his family to Alabama. Soon the two
farmers became good friends, but Mr..
Holden had never been to tue house OF
his neighborr and had never seen his
wife.
Less than q year ago Mr.. Jones died.
His neighbor, Mr.. Holden, OF course, at.
tended the funeral, and caused no little
excitement by going off In dead faint
when introduced to the weeping widow
Of the dead man. That was not the
time or place for explanations, and the
next day after the funeral Mr.. Holden
called on his former wife, and this time
the recognition was mutual.
Mrs. Jones period Of mourning will
expire in few days, and then she will
DO quietly married again to the husband
81 her youth. She has three children
living, and Mr.. Holden has i've. Only
q few OF their most intimate friends
know the secret Of their former mar
rage.