Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-21
/ WAR linz KUhDNCt
AGED COUPLE BROUGHT TO AL
TAR THRU QUEST FOR A
FLAG.
HAD BEEN CHILDREN TOGETHER
BUT WERE NOT LOVERS

Iowa Veteran in Looking Up History
of Old Flag Finds Comrades Wild
ow and Their Marriage Follows
Woman Saved Flag on Southern
Battlefield by Wearing 1t as Skirt.
Corning, Feb. 21.-A tattered flag
which had waved in triumph and in
defeat over an Illinois company in a
dozen frightful battles of the civil war
and about which is woven story of
unusual interest was the means by
which a romance that started in war
days terminated here few days ago
in the happy union of NJ " Spencer,
20 years DID, of this city, and Mrs. c.
p. Moore. SO years old, of Fresno, CAL
After separation of almost half a
century, during which they had not
| once seen each other they learned of
each others whereabouts when a
search was begun to locate the mem
bers of the company and when steps
were taken to ascertain some historical
facts in connection with the old flag.
Long before the war Mr.Spencer and
Mrs Moore were children together and
lived on adjoining farms near Andalu-
STA. Ill. The children of the two fam
lilies played together and visited back
and forth at the merry social functions
which were in vogue In the good old
days
But they were never sweethearts, al
tho Mr.. Spencer admitted few
days ago that the pretty, fascinating
ways Of the little country maid had
unconsciously made a deep impression
upon his heart, an impression which he
was never quite able to forget.
Not many miles from the Spencer
farm lived G. e. Moore, who was about
the same ago as Mr.. Spencer. The two
boys frequently met in the timber in
the winter time, where they were sent
to split rails and lay in the winter sup
ply of wood for the family. Sitting on
some fallen log near which they had
kindled fire, they frequently ate their
cold lunches of corn bread and fat meat
together and gossiped about the gals
and the latest "hoedoWn," where they
danced until daylight to the good old
times of "Moneymusk' and the car
kansas Traveller" and "The Devils
Dream"
Told Of His Good Luck.
The two boys often traded work.
and naturally a strong friendship
sprang up between them.
But Mr.. Moore was the recognized
sutton Of the girl and one day he adj
mitted to his young friend Spencer that
he had popped the question" and had
been accepted.
A little before the time Mr.. Spencer
had met another country girl near .An-
dalusia, and she was often the subject
of conversation between the two
friends. A few days after his friend
had conf1ded the secret Of his love to
Mr.. Moore that he, too, had been ac-,
cepted by the girl OF his choice
OF course there were congratulations
and they coded" each other in regu-.
lar country fashion, and had many a
good talk over their future plans.
The outcome Of the whole affair was
that the two agreed to get married on
the same day. Accordingly, when the
eventful day rolled around, they en-
tered the clerks office together and
purchased their marriage licenses. 1t
was agreed that Mr.. Spencer should
Jump the broomstick' first, after
which he and his bride should repair
to the home of his friends bride and
witness their marriage.
The program was carried out ac-
cording to schedule, Moore and his girl
witnessing the ceremony and their two
friends, after which the latter rode
over" and saw the nuptial knot tied
which made Mr.. and Mrs. G. e. Moore
happy. OF course, there was a feast OF
all kinds of good things and afterward
a dance.
The two couples settled down near
Andalusia and literally "lived happily
ever afterward." They were blessed
with children, some Of whom survive.
Not long afterward the war broke
out. True to their early friendship,
both boys felt called upon to enlist in
their country's cause, and together
they were hurried to the front.
Not to be outdone in patriotism, the
women of the community held a meet
ing and determined to make flag
which, should wave over the regiment
composed of their fathers, sons. hus-
bands and .sweethearts and remind
them of the loving fingers which had
IldO6 IL dHO VI IAo lON1u6 iiShiIS
which were anxious for their welfare.
In an eventful battle the two boys
were wounded and confined in south
ern hospital.
For days their young wives awaited
news Of their fate, but nothing came.
In her anxiety Mrs. Moore determined
to 90 to the front and if possible learn
of the fate. Of the two soldier boys.
She finally ascertained that they were
sick in hospital and hurried to rem
der them what assistance she could.
She remained with them and was pres
ent during the battle OF Harper's
Ferry.
After their release from the hospital
they were again hurried to the front.
The fortunes of war led their regiment
to the battle Of Harpers Ferry, where
a portion of the company was captured
by the confederate forces.
Saved the Flag.
Seeing that capture was imminent,
the commander Of the company was
anxious that the flag should
not fall into the hands OF the enemy,
S! 4