Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-08-24
A FIGHT FOR FORTUNE.
An Old Time Romance in a Modern
Setting.
HE WON LdSE AND FORTUNE
And then DisapEatsd Both at iAs Gambling fsSls--
Be Comes Home, Bat III Lack Punuss hin
Now Hs Is In the Confidence Of
tbs kikado Of Japan.

DEs MONIES, Ia, August 23.-An
item OF news that will interest many
people of Iowa comes from the far of
Isle OF Japan. There Is 4 tinge OF ro-
nance about it that does not detract
from its interest. II relates TO Major
J. R. Wasson, who for several years
was resident OF this city and who left
it nearly year ago. Major Wasson
has had an interesting career. Circum-
stances made him Secretary OF Legation
10 the American Embassy TO Japan
when Hon, John A. Bingham, OF Ohio,
was United States Minister TO that &C.
centric country.
He was tall, handsome and highly
cultured gentleman, with military air
and knowledge of tactics. He easily
wooed and won the daughter OF the dis
tinguished diplomatic at the Court OF the
Orient, and upon that gentleman's re-
tirement from the diplomatic service,
the influence at his command easily
brought him life position in, the regu-
lar army as paymaster with the rank
of Major. There he acquired the
habit, altogether too common ia tho
army, OF gambling at cards. III for
tune followed his ventures and finally
he followed himself short In his ac-
counts. The Discrepancy, amounting
70 only about $4,000, was promptly
made good by his bondsman, buta court
martial followed. He was convicted,
dismissed in disgrace from the army
and seatenced To term 10 prison. Be
fore the expiration Of his sentence he
was pardoned. Cn account OF this dts
grace his wife deserted him and taking
! their only child returned TO the paren-
! tai roof in Ohio.
When Watson was pardoned, be re-
turned TO his home in Warren county,
and atterward engaged In the insuTaDce
business in Des Monies. Here he tried
earnestly TO build up his lost fortunes,
but everything that he touched seemed
to wither and fall TO pieces like Dead
Sea apples. He sought the position OF
City Engineer, and was rewarded with
a nomination only to be disap-
polnted with defeat at the polls.
He was an applicant for tho APP
pointment OF Auditor General under
! Governor Boies, but he had always been
a Republican, and that, II nothing else,
barred the way to him. When the con-
tract was to be let for grading the State
Capitol grounds he sought the position
of civil engineer in charge OF the work,
for which he was conceded TO be COM
petent, but there, also, he failed. This
last failure seemed TO make him despon-
dent and he disappeared soon after, not
even his most intimate friends knowing
where he had gone TO.
Word now comes from Japan that
Major Wasson Is a prominent figure In
the Japanese army, that he 10 In the
confidence of the Mikado. with every
Indication OF brilliant military career.
But even here he had narrow escape
from the ill-fortune that for nearly ten
years has followed him like al avenging
Nemesis. He was charged with being
implicated In revolutionary move
ment, and for time II seemed probable
that his head would fall victim TO the
snicker-snee OF the Mikado's Lord High
Executioner, but, fortunately, be was
able TO establish his innocence, TO re-
gain the confidence OF the emperor, and
honor and power was conferred upon
! him.