Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-09-02

John Ale xander Depew WAS a queer
nan. known throughout the South from
savannah, on the easL, to Santa Fe,
md the borders Of old Mexico on the
vest. For thirty years he had gone to
ned poor, expecting to be rich the next
lay. He had spent his early days in
mining ventures, finally
discouraged, and engaging in
The cattle raising business ia Texas,
Early in the sixties. But his turn came.
Slowly, but surely, in the face of nu-
mer0us vicissitudes, he accumulated II
fortune OF over million dollars.
He now had money to burn. Not
Df sixty, with his hair and beard long
and unkempt. he was considered Il
great catch by the mothers of marria-
geable daughters.
BY the aid of barber, few Turk
ish baths and q tailor, Mr.. Depew was
changed from the rough cattleman to u
very respectable, fne-looking, elderly
gentleman. In this improved condition
he returned TO his Old home in the
east, where, thirty years before, he
had left sweetheart to whom he had
vowed that he would return some time,
and make her his wife. The girl had
waited for years in vain tor her recreant
lovers return, finally giving him up as
dead land marrying Il prosperous mer-
chant. Her husband dieu during the
war, she following few years later,
leaving q beautiful daughter.
On the old ranchman's return TO the
scene of his youth, he found his sweet
heart, since wife and mother, dead,
but in her stead, he found an exact
image in the daughter. His love for
this child knew no bounds. He could
scarcely realize that she was not his
old sweetheart VI thirty years ago.
BY his devotion and attention POSSIBLY
aided by his gold) he soon distanced all
rivals, and Imogene Middleton was
soon lmOgene Depew.
Never was there happier man than
this Old ranchman with his girl bride,
notwithstanding the fact that u dark
cloud hung over him in the form Of Il
warning from his physicians that she
was going into decline and could not
live long. He refused 10 believe it,
and added TO her happiness by laying
in her lap the wealth. OF thousands.
She grew fearfuily and rapidly worse,
and many of the leading physicians OF
the country were consulted, but no two
agreed Ms to her trouble.
"A heart trouble, said one, with q
grave look; "a complication OF difficult
les involving the liver and Spleen
said second; while third pronounced
1t An ''incurable lung affection"
In september OF 1893, Mr.. Depew
and his dying wife visited Louisville,
KY, to consult, MS II last resort. noted
Specialist OF that city. This Specialist
was out of the city for about three
weeks at that time and the disappointed
couple returned to their southern home
without seeing him.
The middle Of the month, new symp.
toms developed, and after u short con-
sulatiOn OF physicians, Mr.. Depew was
informed, again, thai his wife was dy-
ing; that she might live for day On
two, but she could not live long.
Then it was that Mr.. Depew sent u
DIR. Rea, OF Louisville, who was then a,
the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn,
the following telegram:
my wife Is dying. Doctors have
given her up. Come quick. Spare no
expense. Answer at once"
To which DR.. Rea answered: "Will
come without delay"
In thirty minutes DR.. Rea was on a
special car, en- route to Galveston, Mr..
Depew's home, and after a fast and ex-
citing ride, he arrived at 1906 the next
day.
He was met at the depot by the anx-
iOus husband. who said: II am g.al to
see you, but am afraid it is too late,
my wife is dying, che is unconscious. .
LET US hasten to the house," said
the doctor. He found his patient prop.
ped up In bed, ina half-conscious state
gasping for breath and cold up 10 the
knees, with two nurses tanning her.
In less than one minute, DIR. Rea
said: II discover q great accumulat.
ion OF pus, which is drowning out the
lungs and heart"
He realized that the woman was
nearly gone. In less time than it takes
to write it, his instruments were
brought into play. He made deer
forth until nearly two pints were dis
charged. In twenty minutes the patti.
ent was comfortable, conscious and
free from labored breathing. After in
sorting drainage tube, and giving
directions TO the nurses, he pronounced
her out Of danger, and babe the family
goodbye. just one hour and fifty five
minutes from the time he stopped a,
the depot. he pulled out for Louisville
over the Southern Pacific Road.
Mrs. Depew improved rapidly, and In
y few mon tbs, under Dr.. Rea's care
through correspondence, was cured
and Is this day wonderful illustration
of the phenomenal skill of the most re
mArkable physician Of this age.
Had not DR.. Rea., by his seemingl,
supernatural power, detected accurate
~ the exact location Of her disease, hi,