The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1902-07-11
FROM TENNESSEE TO TEXAS
BEAUTIFUL WOrlAN
Rescued from Death in Desperate Way.

John Alexander Depew was queer
nun, known throughout the South from
Savannah. OH the east, to Santa Fe, and
the borders of old Mexico on the west.
For thirty years he had gone to bedpoor,
expecting to be rich the next day. He
had spent his early days in unsuccessful
mining ventures, finally becoming
discouraged, and engaging in the cattle
raising business in Texas, early in the
sixties. But his turn came. Slowly. but
surely, in the face of numerous vicis-
STUDIES, he accumulated fortune of over
million dollars.
He now had money to burn. Notwith-
standing he was on the shady side OF
sixty, with his hair and beard long and
unkempt, he was considered great
catch dy thu mothers of manageable
daughters.
By the aid of a barber, few Turkish
baths and a tailor, Mr.. Depew was
changed from the rough cattleman to a
very respectable, tine-looking, elderly
gentleman. In this improved condition
he returned to his old home in the east,
wnere, thirty years before, he had lett d
sweetheart to whom he had vowed that he
would return some time, and make her
his wife. The girl had waited for years
i'll VAIN for her reCreant lovers return,
fiaally giving him up for dead, and mar
rying prosperous merchant. Her hus-
band died during the war, she following
few years later, leaving d beautiful
daughter.
On the old ranctman's return to the
scene of his youth, he found his sweet
heart, since wife and mother, dead, but
in her stead, he found all exact image in
the daughter. His love for this child
knew no bounds. He could scarcely
reatlze that she was not his old sweet
heart of thirty years ago. By his devo-
ton and attention POSSIBLY aided by his
gold he soon distanced all rivals, and
Imogene Middleton was soon Imogene
Depew.
Never was there happier man than
this old ranchman with his girl bride,
Notwithstanding the fact that dark cloud
hung over him in the from Of warning
from his physicians that she was going
into decline and could not liye long. He
refused to belive it, and added to her
happiness by laying in her lap the wealth
of thousands.
She grew fearfully and rapidly worse,
and many Of the leading physicians of the
country we're consulted, but no two
agreed as to her trruble.
"a heart trouble" said one, with a
grave look; "a complication of difficulties
involving the liver and Spleen" said g
second; while the third pronounced it an
''incurable lung Affection
In September of 1898, Mr.. Depew and
his dying wife visited Louisville, KY, to
consult, as last resort noted Specialist
OF that city. This Specialist was out OF
the city for about three weeks, at that
time, and the disappointed couple re-
turned to their southern home without
seeing him.
The middle OF the month, new symp.
toms developed, and after consultation
of physicians, Mr.. Depew was informed,
again, that his wife was dying; that she
might live day or two, but that she
could not last long.
Then it was that Mr.. Depew sent to
DR.. Rea, of Louisville, who was then at
the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, Tenn,
the following telegram:
"My wife IS dying. Doctors have given
herup. Come quick. Spare no expense.
Answer at once"
To which DR.. Rea answered.: "Will
come without delay"
In thirty minutes Dr.. Rea was on a
special car, en- route to Galveston, Mr..
Depew's home, and after a fast and ex.
citing ride, he arrived at 1905 the next
day.
He was met at the depot by the
anxious husband, who said: 81 am glad to
see you. but am afraid it is too late, my
wife is dying, she is unconscious"
'Let US hasten to the house," said the
doctor. He found his patient proppec
up in bed. in half conscious state, gasp
ing for breath and cold up to the knees
with two nurses tanning her.
In less than one minute, DR.. Rea said
81 discover geat accumulation of pus
which is drowning out the lungs ane
heart"
He realized that the woman was nearl,
gone. In less time than it takes to writ,
it, his instruments were brought int
play. He made deep incision, tn
heavy pus matter poured forth unit
nearly two pints were discharged. Il
twenty minutes the patient was comfor,
able. conscious and free from lahore,