The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-31
FROM A SOLDIER TO
LECTURE PLATFORM
Fred B, Morse Returns to st. Peter
IF After Long Service in
Tropics. d.,
Special to The journal.


St. Peters, Mimi, Dec 30.-After an
absence Of fifteen years, nearly half
Of which has been spent in military
service in foreign lands, Fred B.
Morse has returned to the city he left
as beardless youth to begin an ad-
venturous career. Accompanying him
is his wife, former Nicollet county
girl, she visiting st. Peter for the pur-
pose of ascertaining her rights in a
$4,000 estate. Their story constitutes
g. romance in real life.
Fifteen years ago Morse was an at
tendant at the st. Peters state hospi-
tai, and Miss Wagner, q prepossessing
nurse in one of the women's wards.
garded as sweethearts, but Morse 8
love for adventure overcame the tender
passion, and he resigned his position
and left for the west. A few years
later, Miss Wagner was married to
Nicholas Graft, son Of wealthy Osha-
wa farmer. They lived in this city
until he died.
! Morse wanderings took him thru
manw Of the western states, and at the
outbreak of the Spanish-American war
he enlisted in the Sixth United States
cavalry. Attached to General Wheel
er's brigade, he participated in the
battle Of Santiago and after being dis
! charged, re.enlisted in the Fortieth
United States volunteer infantry. This
time he was sent to the Philippine
islands, his command being stationed
In the province Of Mindanao and en-
trusted with the task Of preserving
comparative peace among the turbulent
Moros While thus employed, he took
part In twenty-five engagements, also
finding time to collect a fine assortmen
Of Philippine eurios and make an ex-
haustive study Of the habits and GUS
toms Of the natives.
Returns with a Wife.
! On his return to the United States
be re.erlisted for the second time, join
ing the Fourteenth cavalry, but while
his command was awaiting orders for
foreign service, he received word of
the widowhood Of his former sweet
heart. Correspondence between the two
soon re-established the old affection
she Joined him In San Francisco and
they were married at the Presidio
Shortly afterward the regiment sailed
Mrs. Morse accompanying her husband
Last September Michael Graft died
at his home In Oshawa township, leav'
ing an estate worth $4,000 and only
one hear, son, Bates Graft. Late in
the following month Mr.. and Mrs
Morse reached San Francisco from the
Philippines and while they were visit
ing at Madison, Wis, with the parents
Of the former, it was suggested to Mrs
Morse that she present a claim for {
portion Of the Graft estate.
After their arrival here she conferred
with Bates Graft and Judge Of Pro
bate Henry Mol. The county oficia
Informed Mrs. Morse that, as her frs
husband had died prior to his father
she could not inherit from the latter Z
estate under the laws of Minnesota
but Bates Graft has announced tina
he will waive legal provisions and pa.
his brothers. widow at least $500.
. Pending the settlement Morse is ar
ranging to give a series Of lectures o.
the Philippines, and especially tn
Moro people. Two weeks ago he ad
dressed e.. A. r. post at Madison
Wis, and he has another engagement
to appear in Milwaukee next week. L
addition to describing the natives an
their habits, he exhibits his collection
which has an estimated value of $4,000
and he looks forward to a proftabl
season on the lecture platform.