Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1902-02-01
LETTER FROM A CITIZEN
OF OUAPAW.
PONTIAC, ILL., Jan. 20, 1902.

EDITOR NEWS: I will send you
few lines from this part of the
globe, as I cannot stir ont of doors
much at present, for change from
our summer climate of Southern
Kansas and the Indian Territory to
20 degrees below zero, is too much
for my Territory clothes. In the
fall of 1869, boy of nine years OF
age, left this county with his foster
parents for Southwest Missouri,
where he grew to manhood with
much thought of motherAfter vari'
Gus ups and downs in life he moved
with his family to Baxter Springs,
Kan, and then to Quapaw, Ind. Ter.
where he now resides. But not until
his own boys began to reach man.
hood, did the father think he would
like to see old mother So Jan. Il
he left Quapaw for Peoria, Ill,
thinking that the place where moth
er lived, not having seen any OF his
relatives in all these years and hav-
ing lost all trace of his people in
these years of don't care what
mother thinks, and not having seen
any of his relatives since leaving
Illinois in 1869. You may guess, but
not know how, on the eve of the 70
he felt, after having examined all
the city directories in Peoria, and
asking all the old citizens he met,
and still no trace of mother. So he
boarded a train for Pontiac. He
had to change cars at Chenoa, and
while standing on the platform at
the depot a stranger approached
him and after moments look,
asked the question, what is your
uame?" He was told. Well, said
the stranger, II was in the army
and saw your father die" Dear
friends, imagine my feelings at that
moment. And on hearing that
mother was in Pontiac, came on.
Arriving at the depot met friend
aud making inquiry he said "come,
with me, want to see the meeting
of mother and son after thirty-two
years separation" So he took the
lead to her home, and knocking,
the door was opened by a young
man of % years of age, and the re-
quest to come in being given we
went in, my heart in my throat and
my nerves in tremble. After
few moments silence l asked the
young man who opened the door if
l might see the lady of the house.
Think of my surprise when he step
ped to an adjoining room and said:
Mother. there is gentleman want
to see YOU" Oh, the change in that
face and form since my last look on
those features, when she kissed me
good bye in 1869. OF course che did
not recognize me. so l said as well
as could, "mother, you don't know
your long lost SON. That was
enough. Words fail to express the
scene in that home for the next few
hours and the fret words mother
said, was "my love for you has never
ceased, but had given up all hopes
of ever seeing you again." As this
is getting rather long will close by
asking all boys and young men
who think of leaving home, do not
forget that mothers love is ever
lasting, no matter what the circum-
stances may be, and do not fail to
make her visits and cheer her dear
old life more often than / have.
i Twill bid my mother good bye,
and start for Quapaw, 1. T.. on next
Thursday, and will be with my
friends Saturday if nothing hap
pens. as this climate, 20 degrees be-
low zero, does not suit my Territory
clothea. A CITIZEN OF QUAPAW.