Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-22
UNITED AFTER TWENTY YEARS.
The Queer Train of Circumstances
That Kept q Father Away,

The Queer Train of Circumstances
That Kept a Father Away.
From the Cleveland Plain Dealer
After separation Of some twenty years,
Mrs. Mary Sturteyant of Oberlin and her
husband. Mr.. William Sturtevant of Sierra
Madre. Cal. are soon to be reunited.
The circumstances surrounding the sep
aration and reconciliation are very unusual.
Mrs. Sturt.v ant and her two daughters
have for years bsen residents of OberIin,
and during all this time it has been sup
posed by Mrs. Sturtevant and her friends
that Mr.. S.urtevant was dead. But 1t has
recently been discovered that the long-lost
husband and father Is very much alive
He has sent for his wife and children, and
soon all expect to again be happy in each
others company.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtevant were about
twenty years ago residents of Cleveland
They got along well together, and with
their three children made UP an exception
ally happy family. About this time, how
ever, Mr.. Sturtevant became i'll. To add to
his msfortunes he suffered severe financial
he go west for time in the hope Of re-
gaining health and courage. He went to
Colorado, and for several years was in a
mining camp. During all this time he cor
responded with the memf ers Of his family.
About 1881 his wife in Cleveland suddenly
ceased to receive any letters from him.
She made every possible effort to discover
his whereabouts All her labors were in
vain, however.
During the next eleven years Mrs Sturte-
want supported ner children by dressmak-
irg. In 1888 she decided to move to Ober-
lin, in order that her daughters might have
the advantages of a good education.
A few months ago 1t became known to
them for the first time that Mr.. Sturte-
want was still alive The circumstances are
now very remarkable, but only an outline
can be given.
Last January friend of Mrs. Sturtevant
was travelling in southern California. This
friend was in Les Angeles. and was one
day making trip up in the mountains
FROM the very start this friend became
greatly Interested in the face of her guide.
At last she remembered his countenance,
and asked him If his name was not Wilbur
Sturtevant. The astonished guide replied
that 1t was The facts were soon stated
by both astonished parties. and as result
the mystery has been cleared up.
Mr.. Sturtevant informed the lady for
whom he was acting ELS a guide that the
day before he intended to send his money
home in 1881 he was rot bed. He does not
know who robbed him and never expects to
ind out. He wrote to his wife in ChagTin
Falls that his money had been stolen. but
she never received the letter. 1t now ap-
pears that the letter was probably inter
cepted by the robbers. He wrote several
times, but the letters were never received.
piring awsy back in Ohio? Mrs. Sturte-
want received no letters from her husband,
but continued to write to him He, how
ever, never received any more Of her let
ters Thus all communication was stopped,
and 1t now appears that all these letters
must have been Intercepted. Thus neither
heard from the other. Gradually Mrs.
Sturtevant formed tie idea that her hus-
band was dead. In turn Mr.. Sturtevant
gradually came to the conclusion that his
family had deserted him He kept on writ
ing, but got no answer. He lived fifteen
miles from the post office, but for long
months made the trip regularly In the hope
of hearing from the loved ones at home.
Often the trip was made in great danger.
Many times did ha walk the whole dis
tance through a binding blizzard. At last
he gave up all hope. and disheartened and
discouraged made up his mind to go fur
Their We st and live tho life Of a recluse.
He at once started for California. AL
most the whole distance he covered on
foot. He spent much time on the way.
Several years he spent as a guide in Utah,
and not fer eight years did he get into
southern California After arriving In Cal
nernia he went to keeping bees He also
spent much time as a gTde. and is 1fw
superintendent Of the newf@urro trail which
Is being opened to Wilson Park.