Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-24

cinnat1
Touching Toast to the Love OF
Mothers just Before Death.
CHICAGO, December 23.-Miss Mabel
Powell, % years old, who lived with
her mother at 1907 Drexel boulevard,
and whose charms and talents had
won for her the friendship OF many
members of the best households on
the South Side, died suddenly from
morphine or opium poisoning in the re-
sort at AL Clark street at 2 O'Clock
this morning. 1t is believed the drug
was taken with suicidal intent. 1t
did not take effect for several hours
and in hat interval the girl had de-
voted herself to revelry, waiting for
death, but making no sign to her
friends with whom she had been pass
ing the hours in dancing and singing.
Her last words were a prettily worded
toast, spoken in a voice broken with
sobs which in an instant followed gay
laughter. The toast was original and
was a beautiful, simple tribute to the
constancy of a mothers love. Five
minutes later the girl was dead.
Miss Powell had been to the Clark
street place once before. She went
there last night with Mrs. @. H. Wells,
a wealthy widow of 81 years. who has
been studying music in Chicago, and
staying at the Great Northern hotel.
Mrs. Wells lives at the Aims hotel,
Walnut hill, Cincinnati, and has rela-
tives of prominence. Miss Powell had
been educated in exclusive eastern
schools and is said to have been I'M
usually bright and accomplished. The
news of her death brought the keenest
sorrow to her mother, who was in
formed of the tragedy soon after it oc-
Cured, and caused great surprise
among her acquaintance.
Mrs. Wells Taken Into Custody.
Mrs. Wells is being held at the
to the Harrison street police station.
She maintains that Miss Powell did
not take any drug while with her and
expresses the opinion that death result
ed from natural causes. An inquest
was commenced this afternoon, and
this may solve the mystery. DR.. E. P.
Noel has been directed to hold a post
norton examination.
Mrs. Wells Tells Her Story.
The story leading up to the end of
the girls life is not commonplace. 1t
was told by Mrs. Wells between sobs
and frequent expressions of remorse
at the Harrison street station annex
to-day. Mrs. Wells is a petite woman
of neither the pronounced brunette O
the blonde type. She was attired in a
gown of black silk, and diamonds glis-
tened on her hands and from a brooch
at her throat.
II met Mabel a week ago Monday"
said Mrs. Wells. 1--WE were introduced
by a friend in my apartments at the
Great Northern. l liked the girl at
onc She was SO lively and cheerful
and the best company n could wish.
l met her often, and twice l went to
dinner at her home in Drexel boule-
ward. Mabel and l went downtown in
the evening and she remained all night
with me at the hotel. The second time
this occurred Mabel told me her mother
was angry about it and had told her
she need not come home any more if
she did not do differently. l saw that
she felt very badly owe the trouble
and induced her to share my apart
ments at the hotel.
Both Women Seek Excitement.
I'VE met many friends during the
two weeks that followed. We both low
ed excitement and went out every eve
ming. Last night we met two men at
the Auditorium Annex. We had sew
eral drinks and left them at midnight.
We started for the hotel in a cab, but
Mabel said she did not want to go in
then. So we went to Al. Austin's and
the Social and from there TO AL
Clark street.
Wllle we were dI luo AuuIlUrlum
Annex Mable had seemed to be blue
and moody. She withdrew from the
table where we were sitting with the
men and, turning around, pretended to
swallow a powder. l told her not to
do so, but she laughed and, coming
over to me, whispered: Tt is all right.
| TOOL phenacetine. 1t was on a bluff
for the boys"
ST thought nothing nor of the Incl
dent and certainly Mabels actions did
not indicate that she had taken anything
like an opiate. We drove to AL Clark
street. There were no men there and
we went to the ball room There was
dancing and drinking and it vas the
merriest crowd imaginable. All spoke
of Mabers grace and beauty. She
danced the two-step and entertained the
whole party with her singing and chat
ter.
Proposes Toasts to
Suddenly the expression on her face
changed. 1t lost the flash of gayety
and the difference at once attracted at
tention. Mabel sat down on the arm
of a chair and said: Girls, l am go
ing to propose a toast Then she hes