The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-12-16
DOINGS In PAWTUCKET.
Extraordinary Circumstances Con-
nected With the Life Of an invalid.
COUNCILMAN COLLINS SUED
For Seduction. mt the Instance OF =.
B. Caider-The University Extension
Til. HebronviIle Crossing Controversy
Again-Current Topics of Interest.

Rosa Donahue, most remarkable
specimen OF humanity, was buried Mt
Pawtucket, her native place. yesterday
afternoon. after an illness of forty years,
during thirty eight of which she never
left her bed The following story in con-
nection with her is current among the
Catholics, and vouched for as fact by
them:
When she was years Of age her two
sisters and her mother died during
fever epidemic, and her father was so
heartbroken at this as TO be inconsolable,
and he recklessly cursed the deity and
everything else for season, finally Of
fering prayer that mis- remaining daugh-
ter be allowed TO live, even IL she had TO
lay sick in bed for forty years. Rosa had
been sick about two years at that time,
and soon after took TO her bed, from
which she never arose. Thus was the
prayer of the father answered.
The woman has not grown any in size
for thirty-eight years, and her body was
scarcely over three feet long. The head,
however, grew as large as other peoples
heads. Her hands have not grown since
she took to her bed, and at the time of
her death were but stumps, the right
hand having four short fingers without
joints and her left hand three. Her right
nand was the only one she had the use OF.
Years ago she crossed her feet, aud they
gradually knit and grew together.
She had remarkable memory, aud
would remember everything she read and
repeat it afterwards. She was extremely
pous, a perfect witness of the spiritual
life of the Catholic church, and contin-
ually read religious works and the works
of eminent Catholics.
From the pores OF her body particles of
matter continually oozed forth. drying
on the outside of the skin. For time
this was removed by scrapiug, but in
later years it became so bad that it could
not be removed, and she remained encased
in scaly armour.
Her physician. DIR. Johnson, said she
was afflicted with paralysis.
For University Extension.
A meeting of those interested in the
formation of u Pawtucket centre of Uni
versity Extension for the ensuing year
was held at the High School building last
evening. The temporary organization
was made permanent aud the following
officers, were elected President, L. f.
Tillinghast; vice president, j. Il, Clarner;
secretary, j. l.. Wightman; treasurer,
Il. "A. Gay.
Councilman sued Tor seduction.
Deputy Sheriff Franklin Il. Ham to-day
served civil writ upon Councilman
William w. Collins OF the first ward,
Pawtucket. in an action brought by Fred
erck B. Calder of Lincoln for seduction.
Mr.. Calder Is "a gas filter and was for
merly employed by the Pawtucket Steam
and Gas Pipe Company, where he held
good position: but on account OF his in
temperate habits, IL is said, he lost his
place there, and about two years ago
Mrs. Calder sued for divorce from him
and obtained it.
Calder now sues Mr. Collins for the Sc
ductioD of his wife, aud laws the damages
at $4,000 1t is claimed that the relations
between Mr.. Collins and Mrs. Calder have
existe ell for years, and have been matter
of common knowledge.
Mr. Collins is a member of the present
Common Council aud at the city election
last November was reelected for another
year.
The HebronvilIe Crossing.
1t now appears that the close watch
kept upon the grade crossing at Hebron
Vile by the Old Colony railroad officials
has been for naught, for aI employe of
the Interstate Railway Company said
last evening that the castings for the ex-
pected crossings were not even ordered.
IL seems that the Massachusetts Rail
road Commis ,ioners refused to allow the
Interstate Railway Company to cross at
the 'Iiebronville crossing at grade, but
when the Interstate people secured
controlling interest in the Attleboro.
North Attleboro and Wrentham Rail
way Co, This latter company petitioned
for the right to cross the tracks OF the
Old Colony at this point, and the petit
tion was granted.
The Old Colony people thereupon filed
an Information" against the company
in the Massachusetts courts, and the
Interstate people answered it. 1t is
the decision of the court before attempt
ing to cross the railroad at this point.
Points of Interest.
In the District Court this morning two
persons were fined 81 and costs for drunk
enness.
About eighteen OF the pupils of the
high school connected with the publica-
tion OF the High School Cleaner, mad n
supper at Havens's white Room" last
evening.
Joseph Gervais, proprietor OF a saloon
near the corner of Harrison and Bullock
streets. fell dead of apoplexy rs he was
closing his place of business Wednesday
evening.
William Howe Tolman, Ph. d., will
deliver two lectures, under the auspices
OF the University Extension on Tuesday
evening. Dec. %, and Thursday, Dec. 20.
The board of aldermen will meet as q,
board Of abatement o-morrow evening.