The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-25
DRINKS TOAST TO
MOTHER In POISON
Mabel Powell Of Chicago Milo nares Daughter Stricken With
RemorSe After Week of ReveIr-Leaves Mansion to Die in
HoveI-A High Life Tragedy

attention. Mabel sat down on the arm
of chair and said: Girls, I am going
to propose a toast Then she hest
teted a moment. She raised the glass
of wine and, almost sobbing, proposed
pretty toast to mothers, saying their
love was the greatest blessing on earth
and should be sought and held above
all else.
Then she set the glass down with
out drinking and went into another
ROOM 1t was only minute later that
we found her lying on the floor. We
thought she had tainted and attempted
to revive her. But she died within five
minutes. The police came but were un-
able to find any trace of bottle or paper
which might have held a poison If
Mabel took poison at all it was in the
Auditorium annex and she made the
following two hours the gayest of her
life, dancing, jesting and singing
while waiting for death to come to her. :"
OFFICERS CoRRoBoRATE THE
STORY.
This story is substantiated by reports
made by Detectives Hermann and
WEIGH, who were detailed on the case
by Inspector Hartnett. 1t was corrob-
GRATED also at AL Clark street.
The body was taken to the morgue
at % Adams street, and thence to Bow
ems morgue, 1913 Cottage Grove ave-
nue..
Miss Powell was a blonde of striking
appearance and her gown was of rich
and neat material. She wore jewels
last night, but after she died these
were removed and given to Mrs. Wells
The latter had urged her to go home
and yesterday telephoned to Mabels
sister that she had promised to go
back
EXPECTED HOME THIS MORNING
Miss Powell was expected home this
morning, but instead her mother re-
ceived the news of her death. Mrs.
Powell was overcome with grief today
and could not see callers. Ethel, a
younger sister, could not account for
the actions of Mabel.
Mother had a hard time trying to
control her." she said. "She was full
of wild and fantastic schemes and
would pay little heed to mothers ad-
monitions. She had everything she
could wish for, but she seemed never
satisfied and was continual source
of worry to US. Mabel met Mrs. Wells
at a dramatic school, she told u.s. and
brought her to the house twice to din
ner 1 do not think Mabel intended to
go on the stage, but was taking the
course more to kill time than anything
else. Mother attempted to break up
the acquaintance with Mrs Wells, but
Mabel rebelled and went away"
OFTEN WISHED TO DIE.
1t has been learned that Miss Powell
several times recently spoke of wish
ing to die, but those who heard her
thought she was only testing. Mrs.
Wells was to have left the city and re-
turned to her home in Cincinnati to-
day and this is thought to have made
her friend more melancholy than
usual
There was a bruise on Miss PoweIPs
face when she was found unconscious
last night, but it is claimed that this
was caused by her falling against the
wall.
The burial will take place at Paris,
Ill, wt'icn was formerly the home of
the Powells.
One Of the two men who were with
the women at the Auditorium annex
said today:
Il have had casual acquaintance
with Miss Powell for some time She
wrote to me that she was in trouble,
and 1 would have been glad to have
helped her out of it had 1 been in
position to do so. Last night we met
her with Mrs. Wells at the Auditor
ium annex. We stopped and talked with
them and then my friend and 1 went
to the Chicago Athletic club, where we
had dinner. Afterward we walked
down Michigan avenue.
INTRODUCED TO MRS. WELLS.
when we met the two women Miss
Powell introduced me to Mrs. Wells
! and / introduced my friend They were
just going to the dining room and we
consented to sit with them for short
time. Two young men called for the
women in the meantime and we left
and did not see them afterward Miss
Powell had previously informed me
that she had an engagement. My
friend did not know either of the wo-
men until last night, and l had not
met Mrs. Wells before
POST MORTEM SHOWS POISON.
Coroner's Physician Noel completed
post-mortem examination of the body
this afternoon and reported that death
had been caused by narcotic poisoning,
probably morphine or opium. DR.. Noel
said the drug might have been taken
with no apparent, effect several hours
before death ensued.