The Washington critic., 1890-02-23
HE KEPT HIS SECRET.
Real Romance in the Family of ex.
Governor Bross of Illinois.

HE hEP HIS SECKEC.
Real Romance in the Family of ex-
Governor Bross of Illinois.
EX. Governor Bross of Illinois, who
died Monday night, had brother who
died in May, 1888. There was strange
story connected with this brother-says
an exchanged romance that read like
one Of Charles Reade's novels. The
brother was Stephen Decatur Bross. In
1854, while teaching school in New
Jersey, he packed his valise one day
and told his wife that he was Obliged
to go to New York to attend to some
business. She never saw him again.
Efforts were made to find him, but in
vain, and the family mourned him as
dead, believing that he had been foully
dealt with in the metropolis.
About seventeen years ago man
called on Governor Bross at the Tribune
office and asked him if he had a brother
living in Colorado. The Governor said
he had not, and then the caller told
about having met man somewhere in
the mining districts who bore such a
striking resemblance to the Governor
that he felt almost certain that they
capped the memory of Governor Bross,
when another man flom Colorado asked
him similar question and gave fur
ther details concerning the mysterious
double. 1t was not till his name was
mentioned that Governor Bross became
Interested
When he learned that the Colorado
man was known as Stephen Decatur he
began to wonder whether it might not
be his long-lost brother. The more he
thought about it the more curious he
became TO see and talk with Decatur.
Finally he resolved to go to Colorado.
He did go, and found that the man was
famous throughout the State Every
one he met called the object of his
search Commodore" Decatur. They
knew all about his life in the West, but
not one could find the slightest account
of Dccatur's antecedcnts.
When they first heard of him he was
running ferry across the Missouri
River at Omaha. He had come to Col
orado in 1853, and has fought through
all the Indian wars since. He had
been successful miner and a member
of the Legislature. At the time of Gov
ernor Bross' visit he was living on q
ranch in the interior of the State.
This information whetted the Gov.
ernor's appetite for more. and after a
| perilous journey across the mountains
he reached Decaturs ranch. Judge of
his astonishment when he was met at
the door by buXom Indian squaw,
who told him that she was Mrs. Deca-
tur. Mr.. Decatur was not at home, but
the Governor, now sorely perplexed,
resolved TO await his arrival. 1t was
not long before a sturdy mountaineer
came striding up the road. One glance
confirmed Governor Bross that it was
indeed his brother, and he ran out with
open arms to meet him.
stephen, my brother, my long lost
brother" almost sobbed the Governor.
Decatur stopped, and for a few
minutes stood perfectly still, curiously
eyeing the man who had accosted him.
Then he grutily said: "Who are your
"Why, don't you know me, Stephen?
| am William Bross, your Oldest
brother"
II never saw you before in my life. "
why, Stephen Bross, how"
81 tell you, sir, that you are mistaken.
My name is not Bross. l never heard
the name before. My name is Decatur "
eyes, brother, l know it is-Stephen
Decatur Bross."
''No, sir; it is Stephen Decatur"
Governor Bross was dumfounded.
He knew that it was his brother to
whom he was speaking, and he finally
asked the man if he did not have q
large scar on his left arm, a few inches
above the wrist. In response to this
question Decatur coolly rolled up his
sleeve and displayed the scar Despite
this, however, Decatur stoutly denied
his identity, and, although he treated
Governor Bross with marked kindness
and hospitality, he would not aclInowl.
edge him as his brother. For several
days the Governor remained at the
ranch, pleading with Decatur to un,
bosom himself but entreaties were
firmly repulsed. Saddened in heart
with the result of his long Journey
and realizing that nothing could in.
duce Stephen Decatur to confess the
secret of his life, Governor Bross re,
turned home.
In 1876 Governor Bross learned that
Commodore" Decatur had been com.
missioned to represent Colorado at the
| NShtShhlai Ia lpollloui anu Ou MS way
to this city Decatur even stopped off al
Chicago and visited the Governor fol
several days. There he met other rela
tives, but to them, as to his brother, hC
denied that he ever heard the name OF
Bross until the Governor came to hi
ranch. While he was in the city
Stephen Bross' children and some o.
his old townspeople called upon him
but never once did he betray himself.
They identified him beyond a shadow
of doubt, but to all he simply replied
that they were mistaken. He finally
died in poverty, and his secret died will
him, for so far as known he never tolt
it to living being. Some of his chill
dren are married and living in Chicago
Don't Hawk, Spit, Cough,
| Suffer dizzinass fndiUastiOn innamm otto,