The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-18
los ANGELES COUNTY
IN DAYS OF OLD
SMITH OF MAINE LEFT FOR THE
GOLD FIELDS
Today, Forty-eight Years Later, He
Will Start to Rejoin His Still
Faithful Wife

SANTA MONICA, Dec. T.-(Regular
Correspondence Daniel Meloy, far
mer. we'll known in this city and resi-
dent of Twentieth street, spent last week
at Newhall. While there Mr.. Meloy met
an old friend who had been his comradt
in war times named George A. Smith,
member of the Soldiers home out on
furlough, who unfolded to him the re-
markable story Of his life, which will
soon have a very happy sequel.
In 1s47 Smith married a pretty country
girl In the state of Maine. In 1s49 he
was stricken with the prevailing gold
fever and, leaving his wife on the farm
started for the gold mines of California.
Upon arriving here he prospected Tor
several years in the Sierra Nevada
mountains without, however, striking
nav dirt. Letters from home grew few
or and came at longer and longer inter-
walls, finally ceasing altogether and then
came news Of his wlfe'S deatn at the Ola
home place in Maine.
Having no success in the mining bust
ness. Smith embarked in a whaler and
alternated in leading seafarer's lie
with the fascinating life of the pros
pector for the shining metal until the
war broke out, when he enlisted, serving
his country for five years. AT the close
of the war he again adopted the life OF
q sailor, spending twenty-five years
aboard ship, during which time he cir
cled the globe many times, visiting al
most every country of both the new and
old world, finally arriving in San Fran
cisco in 1890 on the return trip of his last
sea voyage Being then seventy-three
years of age and in poor health, he ap-
piled and was admitted to the Soldiers
home near Santa Monica, where he re-
manned several months. The rest and
good food he received at the home built
him up in such shape that at the end of
four months he went out on Through
working at various occupations and
finally landing in Newhall, where he has
been in the employ of a man named
Mercer until this past week.
About three months ago he met an old
neighbor from Maine, who Informed hin
that the information received concern
ing the death of his wife was incorrect
and that she was still living and faith
full to the husband of her youth, whom
she believed to be dead. Smith imme-
diately wrote to her and in due time re-
ceived her reply. Yesterday was pension
day at the home and Smith received tbs
means to follow out his intention o!
starting for his old home. where he viii
greet the wife he has not seen for forty
eight years. The old man is unable t.
explain the unhappy mistake which
caused so much sorrow to both
He said yesterday: Il will start bacl
TO Maine today and if l live till the Att
of March next I will be eighty year.
old, having lived only two years Will
my wife and forty-eight years ava!
from her.
Neither of them had remarked.
AMATEUR ACTING
The farce, "a Box Of Monkeys" will
be presented tomorrow evening at tn
Unity entertainment in Odd Fellows hal
with the following cast:
Clarence Oglethorpe. ...........C. Bairt
Mrs. Ondego- Jhones.. E. Mrs. +. H. TAT
Lady Guinenevere Llandpoore,
Miss Kate Mile
Edward Ralston. r. B. Harri
Sierra Bengaline, Miss Florence Longle