The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-23

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Nearly thirty-six years ago Mrs. Ben
heard then Miss Julia Ann Richardson,
was given this slip, deposit certificate,
10y her brother, who had enlisted at Lin
coins first call for troops and gone into
the civil war. He had come home wound
ed fatally, and Just before his death he
gave the paper to his sister, who was
caring for him. William Richardson was
a young law student in the county seat
town Of Macoupin county, Illinois, and
had Just been admitted to the bar when
Lincoln made his first call for troops.
He enlisted in the One Hundred and
Twenty-second Illinois infantry and went
at once TO the field. He advanced rapid
" and was soon promoted to be lieuten-
ant colonel Of his regiment. His father
who had died only short time before,
was rich and had left his children $4,000
each. When young William Richardson
enlisted he had this money in bills
sewed IN a pocket on the inside Of his
uniform and carried it with him. for he
doubtless, as many others had DONE
thought that the war would last only a
few weeks. After Rosecrans had de-
feated Bragg at Murfreesboro, on Janu-
airy l. Lieutenant Richardson, noted for
his bravery and daring, with squad of
men was detailed to do some reconnoit-
ering. Confederates were scattered all
through the country thick and there was
no telling when the little company would
he annihilated. Richardson, knowing the
danger, went TO Trenton and deposited
his money in United States currency in
the bank OF Trenton to the credit of his
sister, Julia Ann Richardson. In Febru-
airy he was wounded and taken to a hos
pital at Paducah, Ky. His wound was
serious and, seeing that he would not be
able for duty for some time, his superior
officers sent him home The fatigue of
the Journey rendered young Richardson
helpless and it was several days after he
reached home before he could speak at
all. One day while he was conscious he /
motoned for his coat. Reaching into a
pocket. he pulled out the deposit certif- !
cate and handed It to his sister. She /
glanced at It hastily and put It away and /
went back to her brothers bedside. He I
sank RAPIDLY and died IN few days
After the burial was over and the fam /
iy mad settled down from the grief OF
the soldiers death, Miss Richardson /
looked for the deposit check Sho could .
find It nowhere. She had not looked to
see what bank had issued it. nor in /
what stare the hank was located. Her
brother had not explained to her. He
could nor express himself beyond a ned
% recognition after his return except az
short intervals. The deposit certificate
could not be found anywhere, though
search after search was made After
few Gays tho search was abandoned. for
the Richardson's were rich then and it
-iGn't matter. in q Jew years Miss Rich
srdson married Mr.. Benheard Of
Illinois. He died. and ten
years ago Mrs. Bernhard came to Tvich-
ia to live. The fortunen left her had
gone. She had preserved Il trunk fuu of
Did letters. Letters from her brother in
he war and letters Of her father and
mother. letters OF friends that she val
led. They were put away one at a time
"a the old locker and except the occa-
donal reading Of some Of the dearest
ones they were never disturbed.
Time came when there was a demand
or room. Mrs. Benheard must burn or
n some way destroy the letters She
lated 20 part from them, the old histories
# affections turns, expressions Of ten
Ter regard. treasury Of heart ties that
inc and death had disturbed but not
destroyed So she took them one by one
md read them over again. In the crum-
'led folds Of one she had almost forgot !
en- was the deposit certificate given her {
~ her brother thirty-six years ago. {
She has engaged the popular and rising 5
aw firm Of Huttmann a Harvey to 7 {
the claim, and while the Bank I