The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-03
IT'SAPUzzLINGP PROBLEM
The Auditor Has Mrs. Lizzie
Kaufman on His Hands.
SHE THREATENED SUICIDE
Would Not Tolerate the Idea OF Being
Taken TO the Poorhouse-wanted
to Be Put on the Train
n Left Alone.

Mrs. Lizzie Kaufman, the S6-year-old
Butte a few days ago is something of
a puzzling problem to Auditor Davies
and the county commissioners. After
she had been put off che train at South
Butte she was k by someone to a
hotel. but the people there naturally
enough had no use for her and she was
turned over to the sheriff. The latter
passed her to the auditor and the latter
pol her back to the South Butte hotel.
where she was turned out, and she fin
ally found herself in the woman's de-
partment of the county Jail.
Although blind and physically de-
crepit, the old lady's mind seems to be
as clear and bright as ever. She made
things lively in Jail until she was taken
out yesterday and brought before the
commissioners. She said she did not
want them to do anything for her ex-
cept to put her back on a train and
let her alone. She refused to go to the
county poor house or the Sisters hos
pital and said she was not a pauper.
She said she had friends in Boulder and
Ogden. Utah, and all she want
ed was to be put on a train
going in the direction of either
place. During her talk she re-
peated the story about having left Day.
ton, o., six weeks ago for Seattle to see
her foster daughter. but finding that
she had left that city the old lady
spent her last money for a ticket to
Butte, with no particular object in
view in coming here. When it was
suggested that she go to the poor farm
she let slip a remark which led the Of
ficers to suspect hat she might be an
Die professional at the business of
travelling at the expense of public char
ity and sympathy. She said at other
places the sheriffs always took care of
her and saw hat she was carried on
the trains. She also repeated the story
that she had an IS, 900 insurance on in
terest somewhere, and informed the
| commissioners that William Mcclure of
Xenia, o., who, she said, was a con-
| gresham. had been acting as her guar
lar at the request made by her son
in his will. After she had made that
| statement she begged the commission
| ers not to write to Mr.. Mcclure, but
Auditor Davies was instructed to tele-
graph to him and ascertain If he has
any interest in Mrs. Kaufman and find
out how much there is to her story.
The auditor tried to persuade the old
lady to go to the poor house until some
word could be received from her
friends. but she would not nave it that
way. He then attempted to take her
back to Jail, but she fought against
that and talked law to him. IF you
take me to jail again." she said as she
brought her right fist down, I'll Kill
myself If IL is the last thing | ever
do" The auditor told her not to talk
foolish, as she was old enough to know
better. I'll do it. I'll do it, If l e
draw another BREATH" h said. "Il
kill myself, and you'll find me dea In
my room tomorrow morning"
There was another consultation. and
then the proposition was a to hei
that she go to a nice. quite hotel and
remain there until the commissioner
could decide on what to do with her
She finally, and with apparent mis-
givings, consented. and h was pui
into a hack and taken to the Sisters
hospital. IF you deceive me and taxi
me TO the poor house I'll kill myself, 81
help me-" were her Iast words as sh'
was driven away. Mr.. Davies assured
her that she was not going to the poo
house.