Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-04-11

once wrote to the postmaster at Ger
rillos, N. NJ, where the father OF the
man, Harvey Beckwith, died about
twelve years ago. After some CORE
spondence and long delays the post
master replied that William BeckWith
had been seen in that place since the
death of his father. but that at present
it was believed he was at Durango,
Col, and information could probably be
learned regarding him from one George
Lawrence, of Durango. Lawrence was
In turn written to and said Beckwith
was there. but showed a decided dis
inclination to enter into any CORE
spondence. In fact all the CORE
spondence that followed was carried on
between Mr.. Denmead and Beckwith's
friend, who was apparently more in
terested than himself TO allay any
suspicion the man might have he was
mailed copy of the T.-R., wherein was
published the legal notice of suit being
brought by Mr. Denmead, as trustee,
against William Beckwith, to quiet the
title to the property. After further
correspondence with his friend Beck
with consented to come here ii trans
,portation were sent him.
Mother Fails to Recognize Him.
A ticket was sent him and in due sea-
son, Friday, the man arrived and made
himself known. AS neither Mr.. Den
mead or Col. j. NJ. Parker who were
interested in the matter, WAS acquaint-
ed with him. it was necessary to secure
Identification. This III. p. Densel was
able % furnish, he remembering hin:
as he was when a lad living here. The
settlement by which the title to the
property was cleared was speedily eff
fected, and Beckwith received as his
share about Sl,400. He then expressed
n desire to see his mother and was
given her street address. On reaching
the house she failed at first to recog
niZe her supposedly dead son, the
daughter Aggie being the first to call the
mothers attention to the striking re-
semblance between mother and son.
Is a Peculiar Character.
As soon as 1t was learned that the
man, in which Marsh.l.town was so
much interested so far as the postoffice
site was concerned, was in the city, a
reporter called at the Seckwith home
to see the prodigal. Beckwith is a
miner, about 40 years of age, and his
dnass and speech clearly indicate the
rough life he has led among the hills.
He is rather of silent disposition, and
by no means easy to approach. and re-
fused absolutely to talk about himself,
seeming to have a special dislike for
newspapers and newspaper notoriety OF
any and all kinds. He gave out only
the most meagre information regarding
himself, and 2hissupposed disappear
ance. He stated he wocld probably be
In the city several days.
Why Thought to Be Dead.
Harvey Bsckwith. the father, was In
Cerrillos, N. NJ, and wrote every so
often to his wife in this city. Altlno the
son had left home about twelve years
before, he was supposed to have died.
but 1T afterwards developed he was
alive. He never wrote himself, but thru
the father the mother at various times
cleaned news of his whereabouts. About
two or three years before his death the
senior Beckwith, in a letter to his WIFI
gave her to understand that William
had died. Very naturally she thought
it true, and mourned for him. About
two wears later Harvey Beckwith was
found one morning dead at the bottom
of the shaft in which he was working.
Mrs Nettie Chaplin was appointed adj
ministratrix of his estate, which was
supposed to be valuable. but which
proved to be worth but little. In
settling up this, estate she named the
son William as one of the unknown
heirs, which established his interest In
the estate here. When asked why his
father wrote regarding his d:ath Beck
with said he presumed 1t was because
he thought So as at that time he was
in Silverton, Col, and had not seen his
father for considerable length of tinls.
Will Quiet the Title.
The return of Beckwith and the
waving of the suit by him will effect
ually ard for all time quiet the title to
the. land in question. THIS Is what has
been delaying the matter so long and
now that the government will be salts
fed the matter will doubtless be
FASTENED along. The deeds We're APP
proved by the court this morning.
DUN e. CO.'S REVIEW.