The Bessemer indicator., 1893-09-30

There is at present in the Brooklyn
penitentiary a woman who. for extra
ordinary strength, has probably no
match in the history OF the institu-
tion. This is all the more remark
able when it il taken into account
that this woman is midget not a
monster She is still a young woman
OF scarcely more than 20 years of age,
For the last dozen years, ever since
she was mere girl she has passed
in and out of those grim portals
through scarcely protermitted
series of incarccrations, 1t is due
this strange incorrigible to state
that, although her life has been
largely spent in the company of
criminals. she has never once, so far
as can be learned, been committed
for crime of any sort She has never
been photographed. The name by
which this famous scrap Is known
over the city is Mary Ellen. As the
product of vicious surroundings she
is more to be piticd, helped, and, if
possible, saved than scorned and
stunned. She has had many names.
Her real name, as she herself and
others state, and under which she is
now registered at the penitcntiary,
Is Egan. A single member of her
family still lives about the place.
Her father and mother ure both dead.
Mary Ellen was born looking out
upon the prison and its scenes. She
grew up among motley set OF
toughs.
Her exploits and encounters were
frequent and desperate. AT such
time she would rather fight than eat.
So greatly was she dreaded that for
fear of infuriating her all who knew
her said: "If Mary Ellen wants any
thing let her have itn The truth is
that Mary Ellen had vicious and
uncomfortable temper which she con-
stantly suffered to get the best of
her. Such state of mind is rendered
almost chronic by the thought that
she has been unfortunate, has gone
from bad to worse and naturally feels
that at last nobody cares for her. She
has some good traits. nevertheless.
She can be grateful for kindness.
She has never committed crime and
If brought under good influences and
got away from corner saloons she
would probably work. The following
official statements concerning her will
be read with interest:
Alonzo Brymer, the former warden
of the Raymond street Jail, said: 81
have known Mary Ellen for years.
She is monstrously strong. She is
known as the girl who bends tho
bars She is stronger than u great
many men. When she first came
under my charge had to have her
put in the black cell, but soon made
up my mind that | would try kind.
ness. l did and | got along we'll
enough with Mary Ellen after that.
The trouble is that she thinks every
body's hand is against her and that
makes her desperate.
l called on Warden Hayes at the
penitentiarf.
"ls there woman here, warden"
! asked, "by the name of Mary
Elem"
''Ihere is such oman here
al would like very much to sec
her." said, "but before seeing her
would like to ask you some oues-
tions."
The warden assented
as it true that Mary Ellen, as she
is called, is the strongest woman who
has ever entered this PRISON.
That is the belief of all who are
here" replied the warden, 81 be-
lieve that for her size she is the
strongest woman that can be pro.
duced in this country to-day. know
that sounds like very sweeping
statement, but nevertheless that il
my conviction | have had the
costody of a good many women, from
all parts of the country. snd have