A Singular Story

Marriage, Murder, Desertion, and
Miraculous Detection

A Girl in Male Attire Crosses the Ocean
to Find Her Father -- Success of Her
Mission -- A Romance
in Real Life

Perhaps the most romantic and startling story of facts that has ever come to light in Iowa was related to your correspondent to-day, and which is certainly unknown to the citizens of Dubuque. My informant is one of the oldest and most influential citizens of this city. In answer to the well-known reporter's query, "What's new?" he said: "I have a long and interesting story to tell you, and you will be the first newspaper man to whom it has ever been told by me." Leaning back in his cushioned chair and placing his heels on his old-fashioned looking desk, he told the following story: Away back in the early days of Dubuque a family. consisting of man and wife and one daughter, came here from St. Louis. Their names will be withheld from for the present, but may be given later. The husband and father engaged in the business of a miner, and for a time was quite successful. He was rather shabbily dressed, but showed signs of refinement and education in youth. He was a Frenchman. After a while he lost what little money he had in the mining business, and became almost destitute. Dubuque in those days was a dreary wilderness, built mainly of frame shanties, and populated for the most part by Indians. He, without any prospects of making a living for himself and family, became a wreck, bordering upon insanity, the sequel of which was his being found dangling from a rope in his own room, cold in death, having committed suicide. His poor widow and orphan girl were prostrated with grief; the former fainted at the ghastly sight and remained in a comatose condition for more … Read More