Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-31
A VERY STRANGE STORY
Couple Quarreled in 1887 Over the
= Baby's Name.
THEY HAVE NOT SPOKEN SINCE.
Used Children as Medium Of Com
munication-Lived in Same House
/ Revival Near keota MeIts Par
! ents' Hearts and Breaks the Spell.

/ REVIVAL Near keota Melts Par
ents' Hearts and Breaks the Spell.
Keota, Jan. 80. Especial "A relig-
ious reviva. at Zion Center was re-
sponsible Sunday night in effecting a
reconciliation between husband and
wife, who thirteen years ago quarrel
ed over the name for their young
baby, and have all this time lived I'M
der the same roof, yet have by no
sign given any evidence that the 9TH
er existed. The three sons and three
daughters of the couple are wild with
Joy over the fact that their parents
have made up all differences. and
truth to tell the principals seem to be
no less happy.
How 1t. Happened.
5 In 1887 Mr.. and Mrs. Simon Bell,
who We're then the parents of five
children, three boys and two girls,
were living seemingly happily, On
their farm near this place. They
were intelligent people, were COM
fortably situated and were respected
by their neighbors.
The advent of sixth member of
the family was expected and the part
ents were pleas 4. A baby was born,
girl, and the fond parents began to
cast about for name for the new ar
rival, when the proper time came to
name it. Here is. where they struck
a snag and for thirteen long years
wrecked their domestic peace and
tranquility.
The mother desired to call it by one
name and the father by another
They could not agree try as they
might. Each time the subject was
mentioned, it is said, angry words fol-
lowed. Fuel was added to the flame
with each trial until the couple VOW
ed that neither would defer to the wish
es of the other. Finally it is said rhe
breach widened until husband and
wife would not speak to each other.
After time it became the settled pol
icy Of the family that the father and
mother would hold no direct CONVEX
sation with each other and when one
desired to communicate with the
other one of the children was used as
medium. The child would repeat
what was said and for thirteen years
this has been kept up. The couple,
with their children, lived beneath the
same roof, ate at the sam etable, at
tended the same church but never a
word passed between them. Not so
much as whisper directed squarely
4 at the other betokened. the fact that
one was cognizant of the existence of
ilhe other. st
81 This began in 1857. Last Sunday
Gnigbt was the beginning of the end. A
II sviyal was in progress at Zion Cen
n, about three miles northeast of
a-eota Mr.. and Mrs. Bell attended
the meeting. The preacher was a pow
erful exhorter. He flayed sin and roll
ed it in the mire of shame and held
UP before the audience in all its hid
eousness. He preached love, peace
and contentment.
On at least two of his auditors it
mad a powerful effect. Simon Bell
stirred uneasily in his seat and the
pangs of conscience told him that his
wife, who sat not fra away, was wo.
man and hungered for her husbands
love. AS the preacher grew more fer
vent the couple began to be visably
affected and under his eloquent voice
and magnetic presence they gradually
came together until a complete recon
Citation was affected. People who
! were present say it was touching
scene and there was joy among the
members of the church who had
known of the circumstances all these
years.
The couple went home together, it is
said, with all the bitterness of the
past thirteen years left behind, anG
are now starting over again in their
married life.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Bell are highly
respected people. They own {
farm upon which they live and have
enough to spare of this worlds goods
Their eldest daughter is married tt
a prosperous farmer, Albert. Fountain
who resides near the home of the ole
folks. Their eldest son is about TWEEN
ty-five years of age and resides al
home with his parents. The girl, upor
the selection of a name for whom
the domestic craft struck a snag, is {
. lively girl of thirteen years and is one
of the excellent young girls of this
community.
The neighbors all rejoice with thu
family that peace reigns in the home
of this respected family, the senior
members of which are now over fit,
years of age, and earnestly hope will
them that they may live happily to
gether the remainder of their lives.
FROM PooRHoUsE TO RICHES.