The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-01-13
FOUND HER FATHER.
Huntingdon Special to Commercial Appeal. 4

Huntingdon Special to Commercial Appeal.[
Mr.. and Mrs. Benton OF Greenbrier,
Ark, have been visiting the former rel
ativesin this county. The mission of Mrs.
Benton is tinged with romance. around
which is wreathed an interestingstory IN
which families residing in Carroll, Henry
and Benton counties are connected.
Many years ago there residedin Benton
County the Burden family. The family
was composed of three brothers and one
sister. Jesse Burden was married and
was the father of beautiful little girl. At
the age of 6 years the child's mother died,
and she was left in the care OF a neighbor.
| When the war came on Jesse Burden en-
listed and was heard from no more. 1t
was supposed by his brothers and sister
that he had met death in battle. The
family in whose care the little girl was
| left, moved to Arkansas, and the child
was given the advantage Of good educa-
ton, and finally grew into lovely young
woman. A few years ago she was mar
ried to Mr.. Benton, a prosperous citizen
Of Greenbrier. Shortly after her mar
some of her relatives of whom sne had
often heard her foster parents speak, and
to ascertain, if possible, if her father was
really dead. Several letters were written to
different parties. and finally one reached
hers aunt who resides in Camden. Letters
were then exchanged between aunt and
niece, and the niece decided to pay Ten
nessee relatives visit. Accordingly she,
in company with her husband, arrived in
this city last week on what seemed a
fruitless mission. Arriving at this place
Mrs. Benton learned that she had an un-
Gle residing near Hollow Rock. She Wis
ted this uncle, but he was unable to tell
her anything concerning the whereabouts
ior life OF her father and his brother. From
Hollow Rock she went to Camden, but
here, too, the sister and aunt could give
her no information, only that they mourn
ed her father as dead. She slso visited
the home of another brother near Gam
den, and, it seems, that he had many
years ago heard of his brother in Henry
County.
This message gave Mrs. Benton some
encouragement, and she decided to visit
Henry County and ascertain, if possible,
any information concerning her long-lost
father. Upon her arrival in Henry Coun-
ty she was not long in locating the miss
ing man. He was residing in the second
district, and the meeting between father
and child was said to have been very al
iectionate. Mr.. burden had trace of
the family in whose care the little girl was
left, and mourned her as dead. He has
been living in Henry County for many
years.
One of the strangest parts of the story
| is that Mr. burden and his two brothers
and sister have resided in adjoining coun-
ties since the war, and they knew nothing
of his existence nor he of theirs. This
was perhaps from the reason that he was
known in Henry County as Tom Burden
instead of Jesse.
OullCdil bt llOliOh 1bOCh,
Gray Burden near Camden and the sister
In Camden. They are all highly respect
ed people, and this little visit. of Mrs.
Benton will be the elimination of hap
ply meeting of brothers and sisters in
which Mrs. Benton will play the leading
role.
1t seems that after the war was over
Jesse burden returned to Henry County,
where he married and settled down, and
was never heard of by hisrelatives until
discovered by his daughter whom he re-
membered as little curly-headed girl he
kissed goodby when he shouldered his
musket and marched away to do battle
for his country.