The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-15
MEET FOR FIRST
TIME In AZ YEARS
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER EE,
UNITED AFTER LONG SEARCH.
Mason City Woman finds Aged Parent
at Nashua and Relationship Is Quick
" Established Thru Mutual friend
Remarkable Story Is Told by Mrs.
Jennie Meloy.
Special to The Journal.

Special to The Journal
Mason City, Iowa, Dec. 15.-An interesting
chapter in human life has just come to light light
in the meeting of mother and daughter after
a separation Of forty-two years.
1t was brought about by a mutual friend at
Nashua. One Of the most remarkable features
of the affair is that both lived near each other
and neither suspected their relationship.
The central figures are Mrs. Putney of Nashua
and Mrs. Jennie Meloy Of this city. The former
is 65 years of age and the latter A. years.
fs Site snd sae
infant her father died, leaving her mother, then
living in central Illinois, In destitute circum-
stances 1T was her mothers custom to go out
their support One day while thus away, and
having left her at home she was taken by a
maiden aunt, out Of revenge for some imaginary
wrong. The mother discovered the whereabouts
of her child, but could not prevail upon her
relative to give her up, and was even forbidden
to visit the home. Two years later the mother
was forced to leave the neighborhood, and
finally came west and remarked, living near
Nashua. All trace of her baby was tlost.
In the meantime, Mrs. Meloy said, her aunt
took her one night to neghboring vacant build
ing and there left her. She was then years of
age. She was found she said, by Mr.. Richie, now
of Nora Springs, almost dead from hunger. She
said he took her home and his wife nursed her
back to health. No trace of her relatives could
be found and she remained in the Richie home,
| moved to Iowa with them when she was II
years Of age, and when % years Of age she
| married Mr.. Meloy, who twelve years later
! died.
Vain Search for Mother.
| Mrs. Meloy said she lived, since her husbands
DEATH at Mason City, Sheffield, Rockford and
Rockwell, but could never find her mother, tho
| she was living only few miles distant. II
| remained, however, for Mr.. Dean, resident
of Floyd county, to set the wheels in motion
that resulted In the reunion. He CHANGED to
pay visit to Nashua and the Putney home.
In the course OF conversation much OF the
family history OF both were revealed and Mrs
Putney related her sad separation from hel
daughter and the circumstances as she knew
them.
| His thought reverted to the foster-child Of
| his friend, Mr.. Richie, and he was struck with
| the striking resemblance of the girl, now grown
| to womanhood. to his hostess. He explained
the likeness and assured Mrs. Putney he would
make inquiries on his return home. The stories
as related by both sides of the family partially
conceded and a meeting was arranged, which
occurred in Nashua a few days ago.
! At this meeting brothers and sisters whom tn,
| elder daughter had never known OF
| were introduced and happy reunion followed
| 1t was further cemented with big dinner OF
Sunday. the sixty-seyenth birthday Of the moth
| er, when twenty members of the family were
present to enjoy their first family gathering.