SAM HILDEBRAND STILL ALIVE?
The Atlanta Constitution
Sept. 6, 1877

~ Sam Hildebrand Still Among The Living ~
He Payed Visit To An Old Farmer Friend In Madison Co.
Fredericktown (Mo.)

The opinion generally prevails that the subject of this sketch, the noted Missouri grueilla, no longer dwells among men. We have the word of one of Madison County's best citizens that Samuel lately passed through this county on his way to Illinois. We give our informant's statement just as he gave it to us, under promise that we would not reveal his name. He said that one evening about two weeks before his visit to this office, a pale, sickly-looking gentleman halted at his gate & called to the inmates of the house. He was at the barn at the time feeding the stock, his daughter was milking the cows & the faithful housewife was preparing a frugal evening meal. The loud barking of the watch-dog attracted the attention of the latter, who appeared at the door. The careworn stranger expressed a desire to see the man of the house, and he was accordingly called from his labors in the barn-yard. When they met our friend says he knew the face of the stranger well, but could not place him. They shook hands and looked at each other for some time and still he could not recognize him. "Don't you know me?" said the stranger. "I know you like a book but I can't place you," replied our friend. "Come down here in the woods and I will make myself known." He said he felt no fear of anything, and went with him to some timber nearby, where they seated themselves on the grass. "Don't you remember Sam Hilderbrand?" "Very well." "I am that same Hildebrand." Our friend says that he could clearly recognize him, though time and disease had wrought wonderful changes in his appearance. He staid all night at his house, and during the evening related many of his thrilling adventures during the war. We do not publish this for sensation, but as the statement of an honorable old farmer citizen, who says he lived neighbor to Hildebrand for more than three years, and who is satisfied of his identity.