Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-11-15
MARY CHURCHILL.

/ Enterpr1S1ng
Newspaper Reporter Finds Her EN-.
ployed at Indianapolis Insane Asylum
Mary Returns to her Home in Company
with her Father.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, Nov. 5.
After nearly three months of anxiety,
during which time nearly the entire detec-
tive force of the city, aided by the repor-
| torial fraternity, have followed clew after
clew, only to find themselves on a false
| scent in their search for the missing Mary
Chuchill, the girl has at last been found;
and the credit of her discovery and return
to her home belongs to Mr.. Thomas j. Gal
lagher, a st. Louis newspaper reporter.
On Saturday last, from information re.
| ceived in the course of following up other
clews, the reporter in question became con-
WINGED that Mary Churchill was an inmate
| in some capacity of the Insane Asy-
lum at indianapolis, and, in company
with Captain Campbell, of the Indianapolis
police, drove out to that institution, carry
| ing with him likeness of the truant girl.
Upon meeting DIR. Fletcher, the Superin-
tendent of the Asylum, and producing the
| likeness, the Doctor declared it to be that
OF young lady employed in the laundry
and known as Jennie Lockwood, who had
been there since the Sd or 4th of September.
The Matron,' Mrs. Frances A. Talbot, was
of the same opinion, and Jennie was sent
for. Here new dilemma arose-sha had
gone down to the city and was expected to
| remain over night. With hot clue, how
ever, the reporter was not to be thwsrted,
and accordingly proceeded at once to as.
certain the whereabouts of the girl; and,
accompanied by Mrs. Talbot, proceeded to
the home of Annie Holtgen, in the south-
ern part of the city, with whom 'Jelmie"
had gone to spend the night, and there
found her. Upon meeting the rep orter
Miss Churchill-for such it was--was
considerably taken by surprise, but finding
she was discovered made no attempt to
deny her identity and at once engaged in a
conversation with regard to her parents
and the other members of the family. Che
party at once returned to the Asylum
and Miss Churchill was placed in
charge of DIR. Fletcher, who kindly
assured her that if she did not de-
sire to return home she could remain with
him and he would do all in his power to
max: her happy.
Upon receipt of the intelligence in this
city Colonel Churchill was at once commu-
nicated with, and he made immediate
preparations to go and bring his daughter
home, arriving in Indianapolis Sunday. The
meeting between father and daughter took
place at the Spencer House and was strictly
private, though from their manner as de-
scribed when seen a few minutes later, it
must have been one of satisfaction to both.
Colonel Churchill, accompanied by his
daughter and her cousin, DR.. Robert Van
Valzak, of Terre Haute, and A. ]. Kelley,
also of Terre Haute, left Indianapolis Sun
day night at eleven O'Clock for st. Louis,
and arrived here this morning.
Miss Churchill tells how she left home as
follows:
g knew that father and mother would
be back from their drive about 1880, ann
knew that in order to get away l would
have to leave home by that time or little
before. When the hired girl came in with
the baby, went over to Lucas avenue to
look at the chimes to see what the right
time was. The clocks in the house were not
running correctly and was afraid to trust
them. l knew was noticed, and the only
thing that has made me mad was the story
that got out that went over there to meet
that nasty Mr.. Caldwell. Oh! I despised
him when went to his school. l never
looked at paper, and was afraid to, but
that story got to my ears, and it made me
so mad that determined to write home,
and that was the reason 1 wrote. But, to
the house, put on my extra dress
and put veil over my face and went
III
the alley when 1 got out at the gate, and
turned east toward Beaumont street. When
about half way down the alley colored
boy, who lived just across the alley from
into my mouth. 1 was just sure he would
recognize me, but he didn't, and l felt
greatly relieved when | got away from
him. When l got to Beaumont street 1
crossed and went straight down the alley
to jefferson avenue. There I turned over
to Morgan street and went down on the
south side of it, for number of blocks,
can't remember how many; from Morgan
and walked east along it to Four
teenth street. Then I turned south
again and walked on the west side
of that park in front of the First Presby-
the next park, on what streets l can't say.
1 was really too much excited to remember
the streets was on. 1 know that on
Twelfth street passed the north end of the
at the north end. Then turned east to the
central entrance of the Union Depot and
went into the ladies' sitting room where 1
remained until they called out some train
Il didn't know exactly what-and l went |
out and got on board. Iguess it was about |
the last train that left the depot. The con-
ductor suspected me. know he did: He
said he would like to see me in daylight so |
that he might be able to tell if I was the |
the girl represented myself to be-"
DIR. Fletcher, in the course of converse |
ton with regard to Miss Churchill said: |
I" She came here about the Sd or 4th Of |
September. She came to me and applied |
for work. I asked her what she could do, |
and she answered that she could do any |
thing. I was struck by her appearance, |
and concluded at once that she was getting |
beneath her station and training in apply |
ing for the work we could give her here. l |
took up her hands and looked at them. |
They showed no signs of work, and I said
to her. My little lady, you have never |
done any work, you can't do our work
ooh, yes, CAM she answered. She acted so |
much like a lady and pleaded SO hard for
place that finally said: Il have no place
for you, but will make one.' so l placed
her under Mrs. Frances A. Talbot, matron
of the iron-room in the department for wo-
men. 1 am glad that did so, for she has
proved an exemplary girl, and l think al.
most as much of her as if she were one of
my own family. When she came she had
the life af Marie Antoinette under her arm,
and since she has been here she has read
works on history and Grecian mythology.
Oh, I tell you, she was rare character