The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-25
LONG SEARCH REWARDED.
Daughter Finds a Father She Had
Never Seen Before.
New York Herald.

new YORK Herald.
In the neat and CHEEKY little home of How
ard Brown, in Vineland, n. j., there was
most pathetic meeting Thursday night
between father and daughter, who had
Renear and his wife quarreled twenty-six
years ago and separated. Mrs. Renear
went to her fathers home, and three
months later their second child was born
the first child having died. The mother re-
sumed her maiden name and christened her
tiny daughter with the same, Lillian May
heW. Renear wrote several months later
inquiring about the child. His wife, fear
ing he would try to obtain possession of it,
Informed him that the baby had died. Re-
near then went West.
AS the little girl grew up she asked often
about her father, but all her questions We're
frowned upon and unanswered. One dav
brought home from school an average card
on which was written Lille Renear in
stead of Mayhew The family were as
founded. and when Lille was asked for an
explanation she replied: Because my name
isn't Mayhem it is Renear, and I'm going
to find my papa some day" Lille then
admitted that, when looking over some of
her mothers effects, she found a letter
signed by Caleb E. Renear and addressing
her as dear wife"
AS the girl grew into womanhood she
continued the search for her father and
whenever she heard of a man named Re-
near she would write to him. but all her
letters brought unfavorable answers and
not a few went to the Dead Letter Office
While talking Thursday morning with a
Mr.. Morgan, from MltlVlle, city SIX miles
below Vineland Lille Brown, for she is
now married and has two little children,
asked if anybody named Renear lived there
why, yes" replied Mr. Morgan. Ca
leb f. Renear has been a merchant in Mill
vile for about three years"
Mrs. Brown Immediately wrote to Renear
addressing him as dear father" The let
ter was tenderly worded, as Mrs. Brown
felt sure, as she afterwards said that she
had at last found her father About dusk
Thursday evening a bus stopped in front of
the Brown residence, No. 429 Grape street
and out stepped a good-looking, we'll
self with a cane. He knocked at the door
and Mrs. Brown invited him to enter. The
stranger gaZed rapidly about the little par
Tor. and then his eyes rested upon the pic
ture of a woman. his wife Then he placed
his hands on Mrs. Browns shoulders and
looked long and earnestly into her face
The tears rolled down his cheeks as he
said: How like your dear mother, child
/ an your father. l am not mistaken, al
though this is the first time l have ever
seen you. Where Is your mother?'
When Mrs. Brown answered that her
mother had died ten years ago Renear
leaned upon the shoulders of his daughter
and went bitterly. Renear, who is afflicted
with consumption, is very happy, now that
he has found his daughter. his only child
who declares that she will be a comfort to
him during the remainder of his days He
owns a confectionery store at No 1873 East
ley Renear, the wealthy octogenarian who
created a sensation in Millvile several
weeks ago by marrying a young girl. His
heirs are trying TO annul this marriage on
the ground of insanity, and the old man
has been taken to an asylum.