Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-03-25
RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION.
Famous Mint EMPLOYEES.

Gamma Dickinson was the greatest
talker ever employed in the mint of late
years, said an old employee of that insti-
tuition to reporter for the Philadel.
phia Times. But he continued.
there was dumb girl here before the
war who could out talk with the fingers
any woman's tongue on the face of the
| EARTH
The old employee was in reminiscent
mood. He said: THE name of the
dumb girl was Rebecca Davis. She was
a really beautiful woman and was con-
scious OF it, as most pretty woman are.
She was employed in the mint in 1854.
80, so. Becky, as every oody spoke
of her, was liked by all. Her sister. a
Mrs. Tompkins, kept well-known CON
fectionery in those days on Chestnut
street between Eleventh and Twelfth,
where Bireh's store is now located
Becky while entirely dumb. was not
deaf You could talk to her and she
talked back with her beautifully express
slve eyes, her head, or fingers She was
about 20 years of age when she was
first employed of fine figure, graceful in
every movement, full of life, and ALWAYS
good-natured She was at work in the
adlustlng-room. One day in the winter
OF 1856 she created a CONSERVATION in
the mint that almost amounted to a
panic. While at work at her seat, ~
gagged in manipulating the bright gold
eagles, she turned her pretty face around
to the girl next to her and exclaimed
loudly: oh, | believe ! can speakr
Her companion to whom she spoke
tainted outright, and so did the Young
lady on her left. The other women in
the room left their places and ran to the
assistance OF the two PROSTATE girls
Becky began to chatter like a magpie
and almost tainted herself Her speech
had come to her so suddenly that she
could not realize it any more than her
astounded room-mates. to whom she
had been making signs for years. She
remained in the mint some wears after
that, and her case attracted the atten-
ton of the greatest medical scientists of
the day. Rebecca was a Roman Catho-
lie in religion. and in 1858 she entered
a convent near this city do not know
whether she is living yet or not. but she
certainly scared the girls on that day.
ANNA Dickinson was employed here
subject and gossip with anybody. 4Ier
political discussions with the other en-
ployes, male and female, were numerous
and led to frequent reports against her.
One day she denounced President Lin
coins way of carrying on the war She
did not like it. She thought it was not
vigorous enough. Her theme from morn
ing to night was the poor negro Some
body went to Director Pollock about
her denunciation of Mr.. Lincoln. He
expostulated with her and finally dis
missed her. Some years afterward, when
she became famous as lecturer, she
came here and spoke to large au-
dlence at the Academy of Music. Her
friend, Judge Kelley, was to introduce
her to the audience, but he had not ar
rived, and the audience was growing
impatient, There were several. distin-
guished gentlemen on the stage, one of
whom was ex-Goy. Pollock. He was
finally prevailed upon TO introduce his
former emploYc in the mint, which he
did in an eloquent manner. When he
had finished Miss Anna looked daggers
at him and did not stir from her seat.
Judge Kelley came in a few minutes
afterward, and she was again presented
to the audience. So You see she got
even with Mr.. Pollock for dsmissing
her by publicly rebuking him. She was
a great girl. and as smart as a whip.
There goes a person who has been
here longer than have, said the vete-
ran, as he pointed toward lady Of
about so years of age, around whose
face fingered traces of former beauty,
and whose figure was still shapely and
erect. "She came here young miss Of
10 years, thirty-two years ago, and is
now the chief adjuster During the
time of her employment she was mar
ried to a gentleman few moments be-
fore he died, who lad courted her for
some years. She is really the Mint
and knows more about the business than
all the rest of us put together"