Wedded After Fifty Years.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7497, 21 April 1899, Page 4

Wedded After Fifty Years.

A story cornea from Texas that twines romantically around the lives of a man and woman for 50 years, a true lover's knot of half a century. It begins with the interesting adventures of Dr John C. Hill, a wealthy mining expert: of Mexico. When Dr Hill was 13 years old he joined the ill-fated '• Mier Expedition" that attempted to invade Mexico in 1839. Although a mere child in years and physique, his father, an ardent Texas patriot, consented to his going and placed in his hands a gun, with the injunction never to surrender the weapon to the Mexicans. It was the persistence with which Hill .obeyed this wish of his father that led to his wonderful career.

After a few skirmishes on the Mexican side of the river the brave little band of Texans, numbering less than 200, were surrounded in the town of Mier by a greatly superior -force of Mexican soldiers. After a battle lasting two days the Texans were finally forced to surrender. Young Hill wss all throagh that memorable fight. When his companions laid down their arms this boy stubbornly refused to give up his gun. " When he- saw that -it was folly on his part to resist further he stuck his gun upon the etone curb of the street and broke the stock iato several pieces. The Mexican officer seemed to be greatly pleased with the brave and reckless courage of the American boy, and told the story of the occnrrence to ; a .number of fellow officers. It finally reached the bars

of General Santa Ana. The latter at once gave instructions that Hill be ;aceorded good treatment and that everything possible be done to make him comfortable on the proposed! long march to the city of Mexico. Shortly after this a messenger briougnt word to Hill summoning him to appear before General Santa Ana. Hill obeyed the command,-and when he entered Into the presence of the Mexican general the latter gave him a warm embrace and informed him : that he desired to adopt him as bis son. Hill consented to the proposed arrangement, and was immediately installed as a member of the general's household- in the city of Mexico. He was treated with the atmost consideration and kindness,- and by order of General Santa Ana' he was placed in the national school of mines in the city of Mexico. It was while attending the school of mines that Dr Hill meb Miss Mary Ann Murray, the beantifnl daughter of a distinguished and wealthy English resident of the city of Mexico. The young couple fell in love with each other, and would soon have been united in marriage but for the fact that in 1849 Mr Murray and his family removed to California. They corresponded for a time, but finally Miss Murray received word from the city of Mexico that her lover was dead. Several years later she was married to a man named Masterson, who died a number of years ago. A few months ago an artice appeared in an Eastern magazine from Monterey, Mixico, over the signature of "John C. Hill " The widow Masterson read : the j article In question in her far Western home, and when she came to the signature a flood of memories of her American lover in Mexico of a long ago swepb through her mind. It must has been an inspiration, directed by an unseen power, that caused her to write a letter, couched in careful ;but direct language, to " John U. Hill, Monterey, Mexico." The letter reached its destination in due time and was read by Hill with surprise and pleasure. He sent the writer a prompt reply, and the vague hope of the latter was fully realised. 'Dr Hill was the boy hero of. the Mier Expedition and her sweetheart of long years ago. Letters flew thick and fast between the couple, and the old flame of love was fanned into life again, which resulted in Dr Hill proceeding to San Francisco, where he met his intended, and the two were married.