Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-04-18
Matte Smith Mystery Gle vred.

Matte Smith Mystery Cle1red.
The mystery connected with the disap-
pearance of Miss Matte Smith from her
home at Green Bay alluded to in the last
issue of the REPUBLICAN, has been cleared
up by the discovery of the young lady in
Chicago last Thursday. The Green Bay
Gazette, of the 18th, furnishes the follow
ing account OF the affair as told by the
young lady herself:
After leaving here on the evening OF
March 10Th, she arrived in Chicago early
i'll the morning of March 9th. Upon
alightlng from the train she at once put
herself under the protection OF a police
man, told him she was alone in a great
city, and asked him where she could fnu
a quiet and respectable boarding place
The policeman whose kindness she attests,
directed her to Bradtord's European Ho-
tel, 30 and 80 Wells st. Here she be-
came acquainted with the fami-
ly of the proprietor and did sewing Tor
them. In the meantime, as she had re-
solved upon earning her own way IN the
world, she was on the lookout for employ
ment, and eagerly scanned the papers
each morning TO ind openings. In return
Ter ner assistance, and for fear she would
lose her way Ill strange city, the lazy
members OF the househOuld would each
Walk the streets with her and call at the
various places advertising for help. The
f.,pt CHI Il,
o clock In the morning in order to be an
early applicant, showed her anxiety to
obtain employment Day after day pass
ed, however, and she found no position.
Matte says that as long as she had left
home III the manner she did, she resolved
that she would not disclose her wherea
bouts until she had obtained a situation
and could say she had employment.
Through the influence of friends she had
made she changed her boarding place, on
last Sunday, to 1900 Indiana avenue.
Then through further influence Of friends
she at last found employment in a hustle
factory, at 1876 Wabash avenue. It was
arranged that she should go to work on
yesterday morning april 12th) and she
wrote to her brother-in-law here, 5. A.
Parks. That letter he received last
evening, about the same time she was
found in Chicago by the other brother
in-law, Mr.. Laycock. On her way to
work yesterday morning, she procured a
copy of The Daily News and was startled
to see garbled account of her appear.
ance, together with the incorrect state
ment that her mother was on her way to
Chicago, to hunt for her. she went at
once to Mr.. Putnam, dealer in Chicago,
and for years particular friend of her
mother and the family, and left with him
her address, 80 that in case her mother
came to the city he could give it to her
In the meantime Mr.. Laycock had been
to Mr.. Putnam, as possible medium OF
information, and the latter lost no time
in getting the address to him (Laycock. }
Mr.. Laycock had at the outset secured the
services of the city authorities and police,
and detective had beer detailed in the
matter. In the evening the two went to
the boarding place of the young lady, who
was of course surprised to see them. AZ
ter little time spent in talking over the
circumstances and eliciting from Katie
her curious and somewhat romantic stO-
ry, she was prevailed upon to accompany
Mr.. Laycoek to Green Bay, and they &C
cordingly left.on the evening train, ar
irving here, as stated, this morning.
Under the circumstances it was net
without much reluctance that she &C
quiesced in.the proposition to 20 home at
once. Her heart was set upon earning
her own living there and she said she pre-
ferred to remain for that purpose. How
ever, she was fnally persuaded to choose
the sensible part and come home to friends
who yearned for her.
AS to the condition Of mind in which
she went away, she says that she seemed
to be fairly under spell of determination
10 the one regard, and to be actually oui
of her head so far as that was concerned,
for some hours after she left here. When
that was dispelled, and when the step
she had taken came to her, she says it
came with peceptible shock, as if sud
denly awakening from dream. She
then saw what she readily admits and
regrets, the improperly of the action, as
well az the pain and anxiety it entailed
upon others. All connected with the
matter haye cause for thankfulness that
there are no features of any sort of wrong
about the now solved mystery. It is to
be regretted.that some of the publications
have been so grossly incorrect and con
tanned damaging illusions and intima,
tons, but these will be righted by the
power of truth, and time which at last
sets all things even.