Evening star., 1896-11-28
TWICE wOOED AND WON.
A Man Who Had Forgotten Every
thing, Even His Sweetheart.

A Man Who Had Forgotten Every
thing, Even His Sweetheart.
From the Cleveland Leader.
AS the finale to an exceedingly singular
and at the same time a romantic case, in
formation reached the Leader office last
| night to the effect that William E. Hig-
gins of Sandusky and Miss Edith Marchus
of 263 Forest street, Cleveland. were mar
red in this city some time ago, thus join
ing two young people who were separated
for months by unprecedented circum-
stances.
Several months ago the medical authori-
ties were Eonplussed by the peculiar malady
which afflicted Mr.. Higgins, and to this day
there has been no satisfactory explanation
Of it made. The young man is about
twenty-five years of age, and up to the
summer of 1895 lived with his parents in
Sandusky. He went to Elyria, where he
obtained a situation with the Johnson Elec-
trio Railway Company, and one day in
August of that year, while at work a
| lineman an inSulator fell from a crosS-top
and struck him on the forehead. At the
time he complained of a peculiar sensation
about the head, and as time passed he
daily became more confused in his thoughts.
Fearing that he would be i'll, he returned
home, and WIS prostrated for four weeks.
When he had recovered his health appar-
emily. he returned to Elyria and re-entered
One Saturday evening he announced ito
his landlady that he was going home to
spend Sunday, and she became alarmed
when the young man did not return. Mr..
Higgins, the father, went to Elyria in
search of his son. That was the first in
timation that any one had that a misfor-
tune had befallen the young man. 1t was
thought fer a time that the young man had
been murdered for his money This idea
was exploded when his bank book and a
sum of money were found in his valise. The
father returned home, thinking he would
never see his son again. He communicated
with the authorities of various cities, ask
ing for Information regarding his son. Re-
ports came Of strange young men in various
sections, and the father Travelled hundreds
of miles to identify his son. So many dis
appointments awaited him that for time
it seemed hope was vain.
One day a friend of the family told the
father that he thought he had seen Will in
St. Louis. Mr.. Higgins at once left for
that city and found his son working with a
gang CT linemen in the employ Of the Mis-
scuri Electric Company.
The father was overjoyed at the recovery
OF his son, and threw his arms around the
neck of the young man. The CONSERVATION
and horror of the father can hardly be
imagined when the son said: Excuse me-
but do not know YOU" Then the terrible
tlLth flashed across the mind of the father
and he realized that his son had lost his
memory. The father worked with the young
scenes of his home and mother but all to
no avail. The young man said he remem-
bered nothing antedating his living in a
boarding house in St. Louis Where he
came from, he said, he did not know, He
said, however, he was desirous of solving
the mystery of his past, and accepted his
fathers invitation to return home with
him in the hope that his memory might be
awakened.
1t was supposed that when young Higgins
would arrive home and see his mother he
would again be himself in every respect.
But he did not know her. although she
wept on his shoulder and repeated to him
all those fond names she used in address,
ing him when he was an infant and a grow
ing child. He could not recall anything of
his past.
Then delicate surprise was arranged
for HIM, which, 1t was hoped, as last
resort, would awaken his memory Miss
EGith Marchus of 263 Forest street, this
city, whom Mr.. Higgins had been engaged
to marry in October, 1885, was sent for.
She arrived, and was much moved by the
presence of her lover, whom she had
mourned as dead for so many months The
young man treated her with respect. but
his demeanor plainly indicated that Miss
Marchus, whom he would have married
but for his misfortune, was as a stranger
to him. Miss Marchus had formerly lived
in Sandusky, and, having moved to Cleve-
land, she was prevailed upon to remain at
the Higgins home for several days in the
nope that constant association would re-
kindle young Higgins memory.
All efforts failed, however, but Mr. Hie-
gins developed strong attachment for
Miss Marchus, which ripened into love, and
they were finally married in this city.