Year: 1876

and trembling hand, but it resembled
specimens of the old farmers writing OF
years ago. The family was divided In
their opinion of the letter, some believ-
ing it to be the work of some one who
was playing on their feelings, and others
were certain that it was genuine. All
agreed, however, that, in the latter case,
the return of the old man would result
in consequences the end of which it was
impossible to foresee and involve them
all in complications it would be lmpos-
sible' to evade. The marriage OF the
son James would be illegal, and his
children illegitimate; while the aisposi
tions that had been made of the ole
mans property might lead to most dis
astrcus litigation. It was finally de-
cided, however, that one of the family
should proceed to Cleveland and investi-
gate The matter, and one OF the sons
started at once for that city.


Arriving there, he searched the !odg-
ing houses-as indicated in the letter.
and finally found one where there was
lodger by the name of Swingle. The
old man lay on q mattress on the floor
of a meanly-furnished room, and, al
though greatly changed, was at once
recognized by his son. When the latter
made himself known the old man was
nearly beside himself with Joy. He was
very i'll with fever, and became dellrlous
soon after the arrival of his son, and it
was some days before he could be re-
moved to better quarters. Three weeks
passed before he was in condition to be
taken home, and during that time ne
could be induced to say but little about
his strange disappearance. He said that
he left while under the influence OF an
impulse which he could not control, and
after travelling about for few days he
was ashamed to return, and resolved to
90 West with about s., 900 he had with
him and invest it in some way, and after
he had increased it sufficiently to return
home and surprise his family. He went
to California, and from there to Aus
tralia, where he made $115, 900 in five
wears and came back to California,
where he lost it all. Thinking that he
was drawing near his death, he de-
termined to return home, and was taken
sick with the fever at Cleveland. He
refused to enter into any details OF his
ten years absence until he recovered
from his illness.


The return of the supposed dead man
to his native place created still greater
sensation than bis disappearance had.
He was taken at oEce to his old home,
and the excitement again prostrated him
upon a bed of sickness. The changes
that had occurred during his absence
were kept from him. His unfortunate
wife took her place at his bedside, and
occupied the painful position of one
striving by kind care and nursing to re-
store one whose convalescence would de-
stroy her happiness and honor, and that
of the father of her children. The
Younger James Swingle was almost
crazed at the situation of affairs, and it
was for q time necessary to keep him
under strict surveillance, as it was feared
be would take his own life. So COM
plicated were the family affairs that it
is not strange, when the physician at
tending the old farmer announced that
it was impossible for him to recover,
that they felt a sense of relief at the YER
dict. He died as stated at the com.
mencement of this letter, and never
knew the agony and suspense to which
his return had subic every member
of his family.


After the farmer was buried, the mar
riage ceremony between his son and
his widow was again performed, the
sympathy of the whole community be-
ing with them.


The skeleton that was found at Lake
Topee again became subject of specu-
lation after the temperance of Swingle.
Ten years ago the section was great
resort for cattle dealers, who went
through the country buying up stock.
A drover named Gibson made frequent
visits here, and men with good memorie'
say that he was here about the time
that Swingle was missed, but has not
been here since. The theorists have
settled it that it was his cries of murder
which the Widow Mosher heard on that
notable night, and that he was murdered
by some of Smiths gang and his body
carried to the pond and thrown in, il
subsequently being washed up where il
was found.