Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 September 1889 — Noble Tom Wiley. [ARTICLE]

Noble Tom Wiley.

Some forty years ago a resident ol this city parted with his wife and little girls for the purpose of going to Texas to settle permanently, intending; to send for them as soon as arrangements could be made for their comfort. Il wßs_DOt for two years that he felt secure in doing this. They soiled for Galveston on a vessel that left this city in 1844, I think. One other passenger, a young man named Wiley, a resident of Southwark, who had recently inherited a valuable estate in Texas, accompanied them. The lady and little girls became Very much attached to Wiley, whose noble nature and kindly disposition endeared him to them. He seemed to enter into their joyful hopes of a speedy reunion with their father. They counted the hours as they passed. Soon —within a few days—a storm was encountered, which increased in severity until they were finally compelled to take to the boats. The captain, one sailor, who was injured during the storm, Tom Wiley and the mother and her little ones were in one boat, with scarcely any provisions aud very little water. The sailor soon died and found a grave in the sea. The mother and little ones were cheered and encouraged by Wiley, who took off his only coat to cover the children. For nearly six days they suffered terribly, their provisions being so limited that they did not dare to satisfy their hunger. Poor Wiley, his great heart being In sympathy %rith the mother and her little ones, could not be induced to touch either food or water. Remembering the joyful hopes and earnest prayers of those little girls to meet their father, and having learned to love them for themselves, no persuasion or even strategy could prompt him to touch a drop of water cr that sacred food. - , Finally when they were pioked up he was so exhausted that he could scarcely ask, “Are the children and mother safe?” “Yes, they are safe,” was told him. He could ody say, “Well. Well,” and expired. This is my hero.—Philadelphia Press.