Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-08-29
STRANGE COINCIDENCE.
Singular Stories That Are Of Grim Inter
est to the SuperstItiously Inclined


Both history and biography are full
of instances Of strange condolences,
and a brief mention of some of the
most remarkable of them may be of
interest.
The condolences in names which
are frequently met with are not only
curious, but often quite amusing. 1t
is odd that one Of the most noted OF
American physicians should have re-
joiced in the uncommon name OF
"Pyhsic.'
A notable sign on one Of BOston's
busiest streets bears the remarkable
legend: Cole d Wood, dealers in
Wood and Coal, the members of this
firm evidently having an unusually
fine perception of the "poetical fitness
of things"
A New York lawyer named Doolittle
once unwittingly entered into part
nership with a brother barrister named
Steele, but a singular lack Of clients
soon became painfully noticeable, and
it was found advisable TO dissolve, the
name Of the firm proving altogether
too suggestive to prospective patrons.
few years ago the writer noticed
in the immediate vicinity Of the resi-
dence Of the late Wendell Philips, in
Boston. the somewhat odd coincidence
OF a brokers' sign bearing the firm
name of wendell q Phillips"
4 few years ago in Boston, lawsuit
was on the docket ia which the parties
bore the respective names Of Daniel
Webster anu Catherine Leroy. As
these names are by no means com
mon, the coincidence" is somewhat
striking, for Catherine Leroy was the
name of the lady whom the great
Daniel Webster married
Most impressive condolences have
occurred in the words Of actors on the
stage. An English actor named Cum
MINIS some twenty years ago, appeared
in play in which it fell to him 10 de-
liver these lines:
Re witness Tor MIC. yo celestial hosts;
Such mercy ana such pardon as my soul
Accoras - tuoe and bcgs OF heaven 10 show
thee,
May such bcnl me al my latest hour.
The last words had scarcely dropped
from his lips when he fell dead on fine
stage.
The following instance may be re-
garded by th. ,upcr.tiu0us rs "a SUI
1icient warming against all jests on
such grim suujecJas death. 1t is re-
lated by Mr.. Bolton, an English actor
and author, that the famous tenor,
Sims Reeves was once playing the
Squire in the pantomime of "Old
Mother Goose and at the very mo-
meut when he was walking off the
stage, singing.
My wife Is dead. there lot her lic
she's at rest aud so am ],
man tapped him hurriedly on the
shoulder and whispered, you must
come home directly; Mrs. Reeves is
dead Greatly shocked, Mr. Reeves
hurried home and found it but too
true,
The other instance to which | refer
relates to the death of j. w Coudry,
a mind-readcr, who a short time ago,
while lecturing at New Haven, CT,
took occasion to boast of his entire
freedom from fear at the same time
speaking of death in somewhat Flip
pant aud testing manner. Very singu-
larlv, before the conclusion of his per-
fOrmance. he was stricken with ap-
opeXy, his death occurring only two
days ater
Many remarkable condolences Of
dates nave occurred both in the his
tory of nations aud of individuals.
George Washington died the last hour
of the day, the last day of the week, of
the last month OF the year. Of the last
ycar OF the last century.
1t has remained, however, for
Virginia family to Quito all previous
condolences Of this nature. The IA
thu and mother were married on the
1IJh day of October; they have had
nine children, all Of whom were born
on the Nth day of October; five of the
children are dead, and all five of them
ceased TO breathe on the 18th of Octo-
ber The name of the head of the
family J., Joshu franklin. and their
residence Glade Mountain, W, Va.
MI. Franklin says that he was a Con-
fedcrate soldier. that be was captured
twice hv the United States troops, and
tu0t he lost two brothers in the war,
and that all four of these mislortunes
occurred ON the memorable 9Th of
October In the neighborhood, the
family is regarded with superstition,
and not q human being can be pre-
vailed upon to stay in the house or on
the promises ON either day or night Of
the fatal date. II is scarcely necessary
TO add anything further in regard to
this story. save that its origin has
beentaced 10 "a Chicago newspaper.
mere coincidence, doubtless, but Que
from which we win leave the reader
TO draw bis own iutereuccs.
The Typcwritcr's Influence.