Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-09-21

Secreted in Buggy Shed -Four Days and FIVE
Nights Without Food or Water.

NgnlS without fOOu or wafer
IIilda jacobson is a bright IittIelady
OF twelve summers, a fair-haired
blonde, smart as Il schOolteacher and
the daughter of Martin jacobson,
resident Of the town of Carson,
Portage county, Just across the line
from Rudolph. This child was legally
adopted by Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Alex
ander of Grand Rapids seven years
ago and She caused a deal of excite
mcnt here the past week. The story
runs thus:
lIilda and some other girl playmates
planned to have big candy pull at Il
stated time in their playhouse in the
ncighbOrhOod. Certain children were
collecting all the eggs they could find
for the occasion, others agreed to fur
niSh pans and lard, IIilda was TO
supply the candy and sweets. We'd
ncSday morning OF last week Hilda
appropriated 25-CGnt piece at home
and with it purchased sugar &c, candy
2Oc. at the IIcrSchIeb bakery. While
Ilida was in school through the day
her mother learned of the prankS and
recovered the sweets from the play
house. The child came back from
school at 1 O'Clock p. M, removed her
shoes and stockings because she did
not like to wear them and was ordered
10y Mrs. Alexander to return sugar
and candy and bring the money home.
The child took the packages, wandered
aimlcSSly about the streets until s
o'clock at night when she thought she
SDicd her mother consulting Policeman
Castillo at the Rowland store corner
Then Hilda stole quietly into the side
shed at NJ. \. BOg0ger'S livery stable,
where he stores his sIeighS for the
summer, and hid under the rear seat
of Il three seated haCk-Sleigh which
was protected 10y 4 canvas covering.
This was Wednesday evening. The
child insists that she remained in this
shed from that Wednesday night
without supper until t o'clock Mon
day morning four days and five nights
with nothing to eat but sugar and
candy and not drop of water to
drink. This seems incredible and is
the only portion OF the little lady s
story that is hard to believe. She
tried the shed door each night with
intention OF getting out, but found it
ALWAYS fastened. During the day
times she was afraid to appear on the
streets because she thought the
marshal would take her. She heard
the fire alarm Sunday morning and
also conversations to the effect that
searching parties were being sent out
to look for her The shed door was
frequently lett open during the day.
people passed by, but she remained
under cover until Monday morning
early. Then she went home and hi6
in the shed, finally discovered running
across lots by Mrs. Alexander.
The above statements are in accord
with the girls own story related t(
Mayor Wipperman and the writer
Tuesday noon in an interview of more
than an hours duration, 1t is Tea
Sonable to believe that the gossip o
extreme cruelty and punishment O
the girl on the part of her mother i.
largely without foundation. Hid;
was afraid of the QueStiOnerS, nervous
and tidgety. expecting every click a
the gate would reveal the marshal o.
his agents. but she did not &C
alarmed at the presence of her mother
She further refused to answer QueS
lions admitting theft of money unit
assured that the policeman would
cause her no harm on account of it
Hilda had taken other money beside
the quarter, but now promises to be
good girl.