Wichita eagle., 1890-02-19

WILLIAM ne WOCiQ ABOUT
At length Governor Bross heard the mans
name and was considerably astonishcd, for
he had once had brother named Stephen
Decatur BroSs.
That brother, in 1854, left his home in New
Jersey for Now York city, and was never
again heard Of Governor Bross went to Col
orado, and after lengthy search found De
catur's ranch in the mountains-in it Mrs.
Decatur" a comely Indian woman! In a few
minutes the mountaineer returned, and was
recognized at once.
Stephen, my brother, my long lost broth
err almost sobbed the governor.
+ Decatur for few minutes stood perfectly
still, curiuusly eying the man who had ac-
costed him. Then he gruEiy said: ''Who are
your
"Why, don't you know me, Stephens I
am William Bross, your Oldest brother"
Il never saw you before in my life."
"Why, Stephen Bross, howl
II tell you, sir, that you are mistaken
Ny name is not Bross. l never heard the
name before Ny name is Decatur"
Eyes, brother, l know it is-Stephen De-
. catur Bros"
mo, sir; it is Stephen Decatur"
In vain did Governor Bross citesuch proofs
as old scars and birth marks; they were all
on stephens body, but he ''knew no such
man as BroSS." In 1876 Decatur was COM
missioned to represent Colorado at the CEN
tennlal, and visited Governor BrosS for some
days at Chicago, but made no sign. He was
long familiar figure at Georgetown, Colo,
and there made his acquaintance in the sum-
mer of 1874 a little over ten years previous
ly had become familiar with the features
OF Deacon" Bross, and had personal cause
to remember them, as he was the first man
who ever employed me in newspaper work
though it was but for three weeks. Like
many others, saw in "Commodoreo Deca-
tur marked resemblance to some one had
known, but could not name the man.
year later, however, became well ac-
quainted with the commodore and then.
having meanwhile heard the story, saw in
Vulnerable evidences OF the relationship Il
was not chiefly in the personal resemblance
though that was very marked-it was in
the extremely positive manner of speaking,
the dlrectnesS of address and, in moments of
excitement, the quick fash Of the clear eye
from under its peculiar ''thatch" The
"coinmodore'SH eyebrow was even more no.
ticeabfe than that of the deacon" each par
hcular hair standing straight out from its
base and giving an appearance of unnatural
prominence to the alleged perceptiFe facul-
ties Surely nature never gave two men
such Identical qualities by mere accident
Deacon" BroSs was quick enough Judge
Of men to justify that prominence of the
"perceptives:" the commodore was a won
derfuily prompt judge of nature OF all the
formations" about Georgetown and the ore.
In them, as well as Of the timber and other
things, he was quick and accurate observer;
but somehow formed the idea that his iudc-
ment of men was nothing TO bosSt of. he
was quite an authority ca ninm. matters.
and an object of curiosity to visitors from
the east. Few doubted his identity, but back
OF the year 1889 in his history ho would never
60 Domestic troubles was the far west
eln verdict, OF course, for il those DAYS many
a man out west ''kpe1s how 1t was himself
Stephen Decatur (Bross. if you will) died in
lSSS. having made 10 sign.
William BroSs, IL 1889. married the only
daughter Of DR.. John T.-Jansen. Of Goshen,
\. y, by whom he had eight Children. Only
one of these survived him, sne being the wife
or Henry D. Lloyd, well known newspaper
man. The year following the great Chicago
hie marked the elimination Of Governor
Bross' lsbors he e1erted himself sssidrous-
y 10 bring relief and hostex the rebuilding
of the city. In this work he made an address !
before the relief conmittee OF the New York !
chamber of commerce which attracted wide |
attention. Indeed, his abilities as q speaker |
were Of 40 nean order-he was equally tren- |
chant With rrague and pen. Soon after he |
retired from sctive laSors, though retaining /
a large interest il. The Chicago Tribune.
His health began to fail ten years ago, and ]
he continued to suffer al frequent intervals /
thereafter, but he fought against disease with !
his old time tenacity til few days before /
his death. His last audible words were. If | !
conquer this. III take tho train lie left !.
one brother, Charles L. Rross. now clerk OF /
the Wisconsin senate ana one .iste.. H