Telegram-herald., 1889-06-05
ROMANTIC EPISODE.
A sSa Discovers Hfs F4ghsr IA stat.
fxssoa.


Fxssoa-
JAcEsos, Mich, June 4-rhe most
romantic episode N the history Of the
state prison occurred Monday morning
in TIE visit q Joseph ia QueIte. Jr., Of
WaikervIle, Ont, % his father, eseph
Du Quette. convict No. :. Joseph Du
Quette, Jr., had never seen - father,
and the latter I'D not even know that
be bad a son.
In ls5s the old c0nyie CT, then 50 years
of age, sss a FOuSt9bOut on the steamer
Dart, of Detroit, then Commanded by
Seiah Dustin. Hs father vas
also an empioye on the boat.
and through hls conniying Joseph
was married, much against L~
wishes, il is said, 70 the cook OF the
boat. She was not above suspicion
morally, and had 4-year-0ld child by
a former husband. shortly after the
marriage they qusrreled. The child,
too, Du Quette dislIked, and one even
ing so the testimony at the trial de-
velOped-he took the little one IN hand
and killed Il with hot ron IN A brutal
manner. All this, be IL IN justice SAID,
the old fellow denies, declaring that
his wife punished the child - severely
that il died. tie was convicted OF
murder and sentenced 10 solitary con
fuement for lie. Ills wife died eight
years ago.
For twelve years Du Quette eXper-
fenced the horrors of the solitary cell, #,
from which he partially lost hls reason.
lie had 10 friends, and never received
a letter bat some years ago he heard
that as wife had given birth 10 baby
shortly after ms imprisonment. He
has Tor years been trusted prisoner,
and was for long time permitted to
20 where he liked outside the walls,
but one day ne told the warden that he
felt desire to be- free, and wished 10
be- kept inside the wall fOrtear he might
give way u his uncOnquerable desire
10 escape. There j. scarcely IA shop IN
which ne has not worked, and he Is
now a "lumper" IN the shoe shop.
Young Du Quette, who was the child
horn after the father went 10 prison, II
a tine appearing man. fairly educated,
and has been reared by lady IN Can
ada, who took HIM from his mother
when year old. He has always been
told that ms father was dead, and only
learned of his paternal'S Incarceration
few weeks ago, when he resolved to
visit aim. He has wife and child at
Walkerville, and has accumul lated a
nice property.
The interview between father and
son. as related by Hall Master North
rOp, of the PRISON, who was, as the
rules require. a witness, was strange
and romantic. The halting old con-
vict Was called 10 the hall master ;
Office, and moment later the son ar
rived. For a moment the young man
gazed upOn his father with a troubled,
sorrOwful. interested look, and then
for want of something better 10 say,
asked:
Don't you know me"
OF course, Du Quette pere did not,
and said 50.
Look at me closely" continued the
younger man, in a faltering voice.
''Did you never see any one that looked
ike me?'
you're one of those Legislator
chaps, | guess" said the old man,
| smiling.
''Try and recognize me-" eagerly
cried the younger man. Look closely
| at me, father, am your son."
Tears streamed down the young fel-
| lows cheeks. and he waited moment
in suspense to say word or look OF
recognition.
"My son - cried old Joseph. GLOW
can that be when | have no son? j
heard | had a daughter, but no son.
! Oh, no; you're not my son."
And the old man shook his head sor-
rowfully at the mean trick that he sup
posed was being played on him.
"Yes; your son, and here's a dOcu-
ment to prove IL.
And the boy handed his father the
/ priests certificate, given ut the time of
| his baptism. The old man read it care
/ fully. weeping and moaning as one IN
mental anguish.
Tell me, - he finally faltered betwee n
/ sObs. ''what was your mothers first
namo?p
/ The young man told him, when the
/ old fellow rushed upon him. threw his
arms about his neck, and kissed him
over and over again, laughing and cry
| ing in ms glee, and running about like
child. The son was greatly affected,
and finally the two sat down for talk,
the hoy speaking French, which the old
| man promptly discouraged, as it WAS
| against the rules TO converse except I'D
English.
After an hours visit the young man
/ took his departure, promising 10 come
| again soon and bring his wife and
| child, % whom the old man sent many
/ trinkets made by hun IN his idle hours
of confinement.
| For some time On Quette has de-
| sircd a pardon, and the only reason II
: has not been granted has been for tie