The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-09
WAR ROMANCE RECALLED
WHY AN INDIANIAN Is SEEKING A
POsTOFFICE FOR A WOMAN.
Representative Holidays Efforts i'm
Behalf of a Constituent Who Was
Nursed by Southern Girl.


Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-Elias S. Holli-
day, representative from the Fifth Indiana
district. visited the postmaster general
few days ago to see about the appointment
of. postmistress in little Arkansas
town While Mr.. Holiday does not assume
to dictate appointments or even recon-
mend them outside of his own district, the
case mentioned is unusual one and pre-
sents some romantic features. 1t is doubt
full if the postmaster general ever listened
to a story in the dull routine of days
work that contained as much human inter-
est as the one told him by MIR. Holiday.
The latter called at the Postoffice Depart
ment for the purpose of performing serv-
ice for one OF his constituents, wealthy
citizen of Clay county. The latter's name is
not disclosed. Mr.. Holiday is not sure
he will be successful in getting what he
asks.
Back of the mere application for post
Office appointment Is the story of a South
ern woman's tenderness and devotion to
Northern man In the days of the civil war.
Mr. Holidays constituent was a soldier
and took part in what was known as the
battle of Marksville, in Arkansas. He was
wounded so severely that he was left on the
II.
with other federal soldiers, was carried to
a planters house near by. The owner of the
plantation was well-to-do, but in sympathy
with the cause of the Confederacy. How
ever Union soldier sick and perhaps dy-
ing. touched his heart, and the Indiana
man, with the others, was made comfort
able daughter Of the house, an educated
and refined girl Of many personal charms,
undertook to nurse the Indianian. She was
patient, and tender. and devoted TO him.
and finally her efforts were rewarded. The
young soldier recovered and was able to
leave the plantation. The real romance of
the story ended with the departure of the
young man. Instead OF falling in love with
her and taking her to the North he bade
over he returned to his Northern home,
married an Indiana girl and brought up a
family. He has told the story of his ex-
perience in the South many times, and al
ways has insisted that the young girl who
nursed him so patiently saved his life.
The years went by and the Indiana
Success came to him I'm a pecuniary way.
and he and his family often wondered what
had become of the Arkansas girl. 1t was
not until few months ago that Mr. Holli-
nurse was still in the South. He also
learned that she was struggling against
poverty. AS the story came to him her
fathers fortune had been dissipated by the
war and the man she married also met
financial reverses. She was left a widow
with scant means and no way of earning a
livelihood her FORMER patlent, eager TO as
sist her in some way, realized that pride
would not permit her to accept money, so
he wrote to her. asking if he could be of
| any assistance. recalling to her the DAYS
| when she had patiently nursed him, and
saying he owed his life to her and always
would be grateful. She wrote back that her
means were limited but that if a small
| Arkansas postoffice, which she named, could
| be procured for her, she could get along
| The correspondence turned over to
Representative Holiday and he interested
| himself in the case. He has received one or
| two letters from the Southern woman in
regard to the appointment. She seems very
| eager for the place and Mr.. Holiday will
| do all he can to secure ii for her.