The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-06
TRAMP WEEDS RICH WIDOW.
Bride Welcomes Stranger and Finally
Makes Him Her Husband.

Bride Welcomes stranger and Finally
Makes Him Her Husband.
Sioux City. Iowa. Correspondence of the
Chicago Chronicle.
Among the wealthiest members of
Sioux Clty's Scandinavian colony is
Mrs Christina Olson, the widow of Nels
Olson of POI South Howard street. She
owns much valuable real estate, row
of tenement houses and fat bank ac-
count.
George Somerville has been tramping
for Is years Rev G.. w. l.. Brown of
the First Methodist church married him
to Mrs. Olson few days ago.
Somerville entered Sioux City broke
and intending to remain only Few
hours To-day he is a citizen, prop
erty owner. the head of family and
presumably a permanent resident. lie
is a son Of a New Jersey clergyman,
who gave him a liberal education and
intended him for the church. George
did not like the prospect, 50 he left home
at the age of 49, tramped all over the
country. worked at odd jobs in nearly
every state in the union and after near
~ a score of years of wandering struck
Sioux City penniless and hungry, as he
had hundreds of other towns before in
the course of his travels.
1t was a cold night early in Decem-
Der. and the warmth and light in the
room occupied by the local Rescue mis-
SION at the corner I'll Fou1iH anu Nttii
streets made the place a pleasant one.
in which to pass the evening. SO George
sat toasting his battered shoes before
the fire during the progress of the ser
vices
The speakers words revived old mem
cries of home and friends and at the
experience meeting which followed the
regular service he resolved to give a
brief sketch OF his own life. And give
ii he did in "A manner which brought
tears to the eyes of everyone in the
room. He told of his childhood his
flight from home and his aimless rest
lesss wanderlngs from Maine to Calfor-
mia; from Washington to Florida. lie
concluded with the declaration that
thenceforward he intended to lead the
life of Christian
Mrs. Olson was amcng the workers at
the mission last night. She was aston
ished at SomerVille's eloquence. his pol
ished manners and evident superiority
To the place he occupied in the, social
scale AT the close of the meeting she
introduced herself To him. offered tinan-
eial aid and promised to help him in his
quest for work in the city. She was as
good as her word. and as soon as Somer-
vile had convinced her that he meant
what he said. asked him to come to her
| house and live With her family. The
invitation was readily accepted and the
Wanderer was soon warm friend OF
the widows grown-up son, George OIL
| son,an employee of u Wholesale dry goods
| house in that city.
A few days ago Mrs. Olson began the
purchase of what looked like trous-
| seau. Someryille also invested in new
suit OF black clothes. patent leather
shoes and shiny silk hat When all
| these arrangements were completed
| the couple repaired to the residence of
| Pastor Brown. where the wedding cere-
! monN was performed.
Then they returned home. The bride
announced, in the presence of her chill
| dren, that she had given up the name
| of Olson for that of Somerville and that
| in future they might address their
guest by the name of father The
children took the new arrival TO their
arms with the best of feeling. Much of
his time will be occupied in looking
| after his wife's property interests. He
expects, however, to embark in business
| for himself as soon as a favorable OPEN
| ing is found and will soon be numbered
among the influential voters of the Fifth
ward He is So years old--ten years his
wife'S junior-but the two are deVotedly
attached to each other and the mar
rIage was evidently one of love on both
sides.
Mrs SomerVille has been a prominent
church worker for years and is spoken
of by all who know her as a model
Christian woman. She has taken deep
interest in the welfare of the Rescue
mission and both she and her husband
are regular attendants at its services.
Somerville is n man of education, be-
loved by his wife, popular with his step
children and seems determined to do
himself and family credit. He is some
what chagrined by the newspaper noto-
riety he has attained and says all he
wants is fair treatment until he has a
| chance to make a place for himself in
the ward. His personal appearance is
much in his favor and Mrs. SomcrNille's
friends are treating him as IL they had
/ known and admired him for years
Expensive Grade OF Refinement.