The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-02-05
Famous Mint t.i.i.,loscs.

h''''1'il'iiiit ! iHtS.
Gamma Dickinson was the greatest
tal'Ier ever employed in the mint OF
late years" sai'l tn old emp!oye oI
that institution recently 20 n report.
tr. "Hn'." he continued, there WIS
| a dumb -ir here before the war, who
could out-talk with her ln.cls any
wonans tongue OH the face OF the
earth"
The old employe was in a rcminis-
the dumb girl was Rcbecca Davis.
She was n really beautiful woman and
was conscious OF it, us most pretty
women are. She was employed
~ the mint i'll 1854, '555 and
'56. Becky as everybody spoke
OF her, was liked by all. Her
sister, u Mrs. Tompkins, kept u well
known confectionery in those days on
Chestnut street between Eleventh and
Twelfth, where Birch's store is now
located. Becky while entirely dumb,
she was not deaf. You could talk to her
and she talked back with her bcauti-
fully expressive eyes, her head or her
fingers. She WAS about twenty-five
years of age when she was first EN-.
ployed, of fine figure, graceful in every
movements .tull OF life and always good
natured. She was at work in the ad-
justing room. One day in the winter
OF 1855 she created Il CONSERVATION
in the Mint that almost amounted to
a. panic. While at work at her seat,
engaged in manipulating the bright
gold eagles, she turned her pretty face
tO tlx, Il
claimed loudly, ooh l belive l can
speak! Her companion to whom she
spoke faintcd outright, and so did the
young lady to her left. The other
women in the room left their places
and ran to the assistance OF the two
Frustrated girls. Becky began to
chatter like IL magpie and almost FAINT
ed herself. Her speech had come to
her SO sudden that she conld not real
ize it any more than her astounded
room-mates to whom she had been
making signs for years. Sherenlained
in the Mint some years after that, and
her case attracted the attention ofthe
greatest medical scientists OF that
day. Rebecca was a Roman Catholic
in religion, and in 1853 she entered a
convent near this city. Idonot know
whether she is living yet or not, but
she certainly scared the girls on that
day.
"Anna Dickinson was employed here
during the war. She could talk on
any subject and gossip with anybody.
Her political discussions with the old
er employees, male and female, were
numerous and led to frequent reports
against her. One day she denounced
President l4incoln's way of carrying
on the war. She did not like it. She
Thought it was not vigorous enough.
Her theme from morning to night was
the poor negro. Somebody went to
Director Pollock about her denuncia-
tion OF MIR. Lincoln. He cxpostulated
with her and finally dismissed her.
Some years aftcrward, when she be.
came famous as IL lecturer, she came
here and spoke to a large audience at
the Academy of Music Her friend,
Judge Kelley, was to introduce her to
the audience, but lie had not arrived,
and the audience was growing
impatient. There were several dis
tinguislled gentlemen on the stage,
one OF whom was Ex-Gover-
iiol oiioSE. ile WIS lllllily prevails
ed upon to introduce his former en-
ployr in the Mint, which he did in an
eloquent manner. When lie had fin
ished Miss Anna looked dnggsers ut
him and did not stir from her seat.
Judge Kelley came in u few minutes
aftrrward and she was again present.
rd to he audience. So you see she
got even with Mr.. Pollock for dismiss
Ing her by publicly rebuk,ng him. She
was Il great girl md as smart as q
whip"
'Therc goes person who has been
here longer than have" said the vet
cram, as he pointed toward u lady OF
about fifty years OF age, around
whose face fingered traces OF former
beauty and whose figure was still
shapely and erect. "She came here q
young miss of nineteen years. thirty
two years ago and is now the chief
adjuster. During the time of her en-
ployment she was married to n gen.
tleman Il few moments before he died,
who had courted her for some years.
She is really the Mint and knows
more about the business than all the
rest OF us put together"