The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-05-01
The Real "Mrs. Wiggs'
And Her Many Troubles

'I'n be dismissed all right" exclaim-
ed Mrs Wigs of the Cabbage Patch
as she gathered the little Wiggses about
her skirts and looked defiantly at the Gu
rious crowd in the Louisville. KY po-
lice court.
1t was the first time Mrs. Wigs.
who in real life is Mrs. Mary Bass. had
ever been in court and she was up for
throwing water on one Of the ten thou
sand or more who have come to look at
her since she was made famous In Mrs.
Alice Hogan Rice's book.
The court spoke and Mrs. Wigs, ac-
cused of assaulting with dirty water a
visitor TO the Cabbage Patch, has
been freed of the charge ION general
principles" and in terms which mako II
clear that II will not be any safer than
the last time for literary pilgrims TO
visit the humble but strenuous shrine OF
the female apostle of sunshine.
Not Like Word Picture.
Mrs. Max Bass. is the acknowledged
human prototype of Mr.. Rice's book.
Tall. angular, her hair brushed back
from her forehead, but with the look OF
cheerful optimism she Is popularity sup
posed to wear on her face replaced by an
expression of~despairing anger. the de-
PENDANT appeared in the Louisville, KY.
police court
She was accompanied by her son,
whose name is not jim ME, and her
daughter. whose name is Mary Ann, and
not Asia or Australia None OF the1n
was cheerful or philosophic.
Mrs. Wigs appeared 10 answer the
charge. of Mrs. Emily Smith, also OF
Louisville, who claimed that her dress
was ruined her pride shattered and her
philanthropic impulses shocked by haV-
ing tossed over her the contents OF
siop-jar welded by Mrs. Bass, whom
she had gone to see owing TO the lat
ter's celebration in the popular story OF
THE Wiggses."
Court Did as Bid.
Judge Mccain, of the police court.
had received requests from women all
over the city asking that Mrs. Wigs be
dismissed The judges daughter went
further. and commanded him, on pain
of never again being allowed to come
home. to dismiss her. He did after
hearing all the testimony.
''Theren be two buckets of water at
every window now" announced the de-
PENDANT, and then she was taken away
by friends. for three young women from
Cincinnati came up and one of them
asked. Are you really Mrs" They
never finished.
Threatened Her Visitor.
Mrs. Bass at first asserted she was
cleaning In an upper floor of her house
when Mrs. Smith called and swept some
water down on the visitor. Though Il
amt a-saying' l wouldn't a-done it,"
she asserted, II wish now | had, for my
lawyer told me TO take a broom handle
TO EN-"
Mrs. Emily Smith. who brought the
charge. declares that the motive of her
visit was to offer assistance TO a woman
who. she had read, was SO deserving
of It.
II became interested In her. said Mrs.
Smith. and few days ago 1 told NY
husband l wanted 10 help Mrs. Bass and
he agreed. Saturday l went 10 her home
TO prefer assistance At the front door
| attempted to attract attention, but
failed Thinking Mrs. Bass was about
her household duties in the kitchen,
went to the rear door
Slop Fell on Mrs. Smith.
while was standing ihSre Il Slulce
of foul-smelling slop came from above
and covered me- l hurried away and
told my husband of the ursrateful re-
ception ! had received. l did not intend
to cause Mrs. Bass any trouble. but my
husband was furious and said she should
be punished and urged me 70 swear out
the warrant, which l reluctantly did.
when / was piloted sSound the house
I ~
twinkle IN his eye and / know now that
he knew he was leading me into trouble.
l had not heard of Mrs. Base ill-will