The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1890-02-19
WHAT WAS HIS SECRET?
A STRANGE ROMANCE IN THE
FAMILY OF EX-GOV. BROSS.

y
this hr0ther-a romance that read
like one of Charles Reades 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 fLd him. but in
vain, and the family mourned
him as dead, believing tina, he had
been foully dealt with in the ME
tropolis.
About seventeen years ago a
man called on Gov. BrOss at the
Tribune Office and asked him if he
had a brother living 10 Colorado,
The Governor said h. had not, and
then the caller told about having
met man somewhere in the min
ing districts whS bore such a strik
ing resemblance to the Governor
that he had felt almost certain that
they were brothers. This incl
dent had escaped the memory of
Gov. Bross, when another man
from Colorado asked him similar
question and gave further details
concerning the mysterious double.
1t was not till his name was mems
toned that Gov. Bross became
interested. When he learned that
the Colorado man was known as
Stephen Decatur, he began to
wonder whether or not he mi sht
be Ris long-lost brother. The
more Ire thought about it the mo. e
curious he became to see and talk
With Decatur. Finally ne re-
solved to go to Colorado. He did
60, and he found mat the man
was famous throu shout the State.
Every one he met called tie OBJ
iect of hi; search Commodore"
Decatur. They knew all about
his lie in the West, but not one
could give the slightest account Of
Decatur's antecedents. When
they first heard of him he was run.
ming q ferry across the Missouri
river at Omaha. He had come to
Colorado in 1859, aud had fou sht
through all the Indian wars since.
He had been a successful miner
and a member Of the Legislature.
At the time of Gov. Bross' visit he
vas living on a ranch in the inte-
rior of the State,
This information whetted the
governors appetite for more, and
stter a perikous journey across she
MOUNTAINS he reached Decatur's
ranch. Judge of his astonishnrent
when he was met at the door by a
buxom Indian squaw, who told
him that sac was Mrs. Decatur.
Mr.. Decatur was not at home, but
the governor, aow sorely perpleS,
ed, resolved to await his arrival,
1t was not long before a sturdy
mountaineer came riding up the
road. One glance confirmed Gev.
Bross that it was indeed his broth>
err, and he ran out with open arms
10 meet him.
"Stephen, my brother, my long
lost brother" almost sobbed the
governor.
Decatur stopped and, for a few
minutes, stood perfectly still, Gu,
riously eyeing the man who had
accoeted him. Then he gruffiy
said:
"Who are you?"
"Why, don't you know me,
Stephen? / am William Brossr
your oldest brother."
81 never saw you before in my
life."
"Why, Stephen BrOss, how"
II tell you, sir, that you are
mistaken. Ny name is not Bross
| never heard the name before
My name is Decatur
az never saw you before in M,
life"
"Why, Stephen BrOss. how"
II tell you sir. that you are mis-
taken. My name is not BrOss,
never heard the name before
My name is Decatur"
eyes, brother, l know it is
Stephen Decatur Bross."
"No, sir; it is Stephen Decatur.
Gov. Bross was dumbfounded
He knew that it was his brother h
.Lo,,, bo .poe sOaoE;ur and Ia