The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1885-12-08
IN DISTRESS AND DISGRACE.
A Young Mother Deposits her lllegiti-
mate Child at DIR. Paui's Doorstep.

At about o'clock last evening. DR.. w.
A. Paul was attracted by the crying of n
child, and upon going to the front door
of his residence on Fourth avenue be-
tween Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, he
found there an infant child. wrapped in
a shawl, but almost frozen to death. The
screams of the little one had been heard
half an hour previous to DR.. Paul's going
to the door. but the family thinking the
sound came from neighbours house did
not heed it. The doctor thought the best
thing that could be done, was to send the
founding to St. Luke's hospital, and this
was done. He then telephoned to the
police station that mother had
deposited her child on his doorstep,
and Officer Cary was detailed to investi-
gate the matter. He traced the mother
to the Union house. where he arrested her
and took her to the county Jail, where Ter
child was returned to her. Her name is
Minnie Wagner, and her home at Belle
vue, Iowa.
TO an ARGUS reporter who saw her in
jail this morning, she said that she was
single and aged 10 years. Her home is
at Bellevue. where her parents still reside.
She had been servant girl there. and
when she found the condition she was in
she left home and came first to this city,
and related her circumstance to Father
Mackin. who advised her to go to Mercy
hospital. in Davenport, and remain until
her troubles were over. She did so and
on Sunday, November 90, a child WAS
born TO her. She remained at the hos
pital until yesterday morning, when she
was discharged from there. and she again
visited Father Mackn. He told her Sc
she says-that he could not aid her, and
could give her no advice. In her despair
and distress she wrapped the little one up
and left 1t at DR.. Pauls house. thinking
he could and would care for it.
When asked as to her seducer or asso :
ciate in the crime, the girl said his name
was f. Pierce, IL teamster at Bellevue,
and aged about "a. She said the crime
was mutual one, that she was equally as
guilty as he, but with the understanding
that they were to be married, although
there was no engagement between them
"Did he mention matrimony to you
after the crime was commiItea?" was
asked.
"Yes, he talked of it occasionally, but
when he found the condition | was in, he
skipped, and came to Rock Island
DO your parents know where you are?'
Eyes; they know | am in Davenport OF
Rock Island, but would not like them te
know that am in Jail
"Did they know the reason of YOU
leaving honey
"Thcy did, and were angry with HE fol
disgracing myself"
When asked if she would marry Pierce
if he could be found, she SAID she would
not; that he had deserted her in heI
trouble and left her to stand the disgrace
and distress of their mutual sin alone, in
stead of sharing it with her. She sale
that Mrs. Miller, of the Union house, hat
taken compassion on her and had agreed
to care for the child, if she could secure
employment. She was willing to work
but not to 60 back home. The girl is
pleasant in her manners, anC
is more an object of pity
child seems none the worse as result of
last nights exposure. She has never
nourscd it, it having been fed from Il bot
tie, so there will not be 80 much trouble
for strangers in caring for it in the flu
ture.