Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-02-07
SOLDIERS DEPARTMENT.
STRANGER THAN FICTION.
An Old Soldier Finds His Wife After
Twenty-Eight Years.


A real romance, not inclosed in COW
ers, came to light yesterday, which
again proves the wisdom of the saying
that truth is stranger than fiction.
| Frank Hall, veteran of many battles,
who was in the city yesterday. is the
hero of the story, and his experience
of the past week were such as rarely
happen outside the confines of the play
house or the pages of a novel.
In the year 1860, Hall, then a COM
paratively young man. lived in Wauke-
sha, where he was employed in -four
mill. In his association with the young
people of the village, he became ac-
quainted with pretty Annie Rivers,
then bonnie lassie of twenty, and a
mutual attachment sprang up. He
wooed and won, and on a sunny day the
church bells rang merrily for the union
of two hearts. Shortly after came the
breaking out of the war and its consc-
quent excitement, and among the first
to volunteer for the defense of the Ma
ton was Frank Hall. The last moment
arrived, and having babe an Affection
ate farewell to his weeping bride, he
entered the cars and was taken to a.
illinois regiment, to which he had ask
ed to be assigned. In the Forty-second
Illinois Volunteers he went to the front,
and none were more frequent in writing
home at all possible opportunities than
he. The letters from his wife came
regularly at first, one informing him of
the birth of son; then they began to
drop off. Finally there was long 81
lence, although he continued to send
home his pay. One day when the SOL
diers' mail was handed out there was a
sad news. 1t was from friend in Wis
consin who, in scarcely legible hand,
wrote to acquaint him with the death of
his wife.
In 1868 Hall was disabled and re-
ceived discharge at Atlanta. going to
hospital for a time. On mending he
re-enlisted, this time in the Thirteenth
Ohio and served until the close of the
war. He determined to continue in his
country's service, and enlisted in the
Sixth Cavalry of the regular service,
being sent to Texas. In 1869 he left
the service and settled in Kansas, after
ward going to Washington Territory,
thence to Michigan, and later to Iowa,
where he has lately resided at Fort
Madison.
A few weeks ago he left Fort Mad
ison to visit relatives in Illinois and
Wisconsin, and arrived in Milwaukee
about week ago, with the intention of
looking over familiar ground at Wau-
kesha, and learning the story of his
wife's death and the whereabouts of the
son he had never seen. On Monday he
alighted from the cars at the Western
Saratoga, and, although scarcely recog-
nizing the town, managed to see a fa-
miliar sign. 1t bore the name of one
of the old mill proprietors. The man
was not in, but he was informed as to
where Joe Gaudy, relative of his wife,
could be found, and thither he went,
having hired a livery rig. Mr.. Gaudy
was espied in front of the house desig-
mated, and he called out to him:
Hello, joe"
"Who are you?" asked the astonished
Joe.
Hall made himself known, and in
vited Gaudy to seat in the buggy.
The conversation turned to the subject
of the Rivers family, and Hall asked
where his wife was buried.
Buried deadm exclaimed Gaudy,
she's no more dead than you are. She's
down to the poor-house."
A more surprised man than Frank
Hall never breathed. Explanations fol-
lowed, and they started off toward the
institution in question. 1t seemed that
a brother of Halls wife had died at
about the time he had heard of her
death, and that must have Occasioned
the mistake. His own letters in some
way had failed to reach their destina-
ton, and it was generally thought that
he had been killed, and his wife had
mourned him for dead. She had be-
come reduced in circumstances, and for
ten years had been an inmate of the
alms-house. When they arrived at their
destination, Hall and his friend were
ushered in, and the matron being ac-
quainted with the nature of their visit.
called Annie into their presence.
annie, do you know this MANI"
asked Gaudy.
She shook her head. Hall, who re-
cognized her instantly in spite of her
| added years, called to her with out
stretched arms asking if she did not
know his face. She started at the sound
of his voice, but did not seem to place
him.
Don't you know Frank, your hus-
band?" cried Hall.
The woman stood a moment in sur
prise and then rushed into the arms of
her husband. During the affecting
scene that followed Hall told her that
better times were coming. and an hour
later took his leave to make necessary
arrangements for her release, returning
to this city. To-day he goes to claim
his wife, and the happy reunited couple
will shortly leave for Iowa, there to re-
new the fireside so rudely broken by
war. The story is most unusual one,
and is strictly true as tod above. The
son lives at Lisbon, Wis. is in his
twenty-eighth year, and was recently
married. -Milwaukee Sentinel.
SOLDIERS In BATTLE.