The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-14
REAL EN0CH ARDEN
 RETURNS ID ALASK A
Prohigate South Dakota Man Reformed and Grew Rich
AT HOME AFTER IA YEAR
Found Wife Married to Another Man, But His Children Welcomed Him and Forgave Him.
 Had 1 owe for Drink.

Mitchell, S. D., saturday.-The klon- dike country has furnished its share Of romantic stories of separated families and the return of wealthy individuals who have been grub-staked and returned home with wealth untold. but there is more to the story of Judson E. Lathrop than the mere returning with gold galore, for he finds that his wife Is divorced and that his mother and sister have passed away. ,For fourteen years Latnrop had not been heard from by his relatives, and 1t was generally believed he was dead.
 Fourteen years ago MT. Lathrop was travelling on the road for a milling com pany. but very little of his money went for the comforts of his family; in fact, he did very little to support them, and they were left more or less to their own de- vices This was due 10 the fact that his love for drink took what belonged right fully to his wife and children. Starting out on one of his trips. he left home four- teen years ago and remained away until the present. not even writing home or giving any clew to his whereabouts.
 Two weeks ago he returned to his home at Appleton and informed his son Alfred, who is employed in a railroad office at Milwaukee, of his desire to renew ms standing with his family. His son notified him of his acceptance after writing to ms sisters, Misses Hazel and Bernice Lathrop of this city The meeting occurred at Summit s. D.. where MT. Lathrop has brother teaching school. The Misses Iathrop returned to their home here to- day and gave the incidents of their fath- ar's absence.
 Had Many Adventures.
 atkran eli rtad for the klOndike with S5O in cash, and on reaching Seattle he was without funds, but was taken through by party of friends who were making the trip together. On reaching the gold fields the party went 9oOo miles lhto the interior and started their operations. At the end of five years Mir. Lathrop hao amassed s20,000 and with that he started hack home. On reaching Ketchikan he WAS taken i'll with the scurvy, and Tor one year he lay in the hospital, ana when he came out he said he dld not nave a. dollar left of his small fortune lhere was nothing for him to do but 10 make she start all over again, and he met With better results. He secured number or mines that were profitable, and he solo out A portion of them for S500,0oO retaining about thirty, which he still owns, besides owning 8 bank at Ketchikan.
 Two years ago. prompted by the loNe that he still bore his family, he oeelueu to return to his old home. He reached Seattle and there learned that his wre had secure da divorce and had renarrleu' Without more information, MT. Lathrop turned his steps to the Klondike once more. After two years his wealth in- creased to a larger sum and again the longing came over him to see his rela- lives and two weeks ago, he reached ms former home at Appleton
 After .he meeting with his children ne
 I.A., Hnh q ever was saddened by the death Of his mother and his sister He brought home golden gifts for them, and was a sad dened man to find that they were not there to receive them. He has made many gifts to his home town, besides ex- pending a large sum in decorating the graves of his mother and sister. NIT. Lathrop is now a thoroughly reformed man. At Seattle and in Alaska he has given large sums of money to aid in church work In talking with his daugh- 4ers about his former drinking he urged them never to marry a man "ho hau inc slightest desire for drink, as he in- sisted it would grow upon him.
 Will Give Children Annuity.
 Mir. lAthrop will settle an annuity on his children to provide for them as long as they live, the details of which Will De settled this week.
 Three years after MT. Lathrop went away his wife secured divorce on the ground of assertion ana at that time moved out to Ashton, s. D., and made her home with relatives. Nine years ago she was married to L. w. Seaman ot ,-hs city, a wealthy ranch and stock owner, who owns a handsome residence near the business district The two daughters will continue to make their residence with him. Both are accomplished young ladies, Miss Hazel being an exceptionally fine musician, both in voice and instru- mental.
 MT Latnrop expressedA himself 10 his daughters as being satisfied with ms lot and -oes not blame any member or ms family for all that has taken place. As soon as he finishes his business in the country, which Is for the purpose of buy ing an immense quantity of machinery for his mining plants he will return to the klondike country, there to pick up the .,f1 70