The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-21
In the Early Days.

- N-~- E-N--~ Santo Domingo.
 In the Early Days.
 But ito the story of her early days.
 Mrs Reader, whose maiden name was Miss Ella Rawls, and who once lived at East Lake, rose in comparatively few years from saleslady in a Birmingham stcre to the head of probably one of the best paying stenographic bureaus New York has ever had and then to be figure in international diplomacy. She is remembered here by a large number of people.
 Years ago she resided with her parents at East Lake and was employed in NJ J. Mrllaneys dry goods store then To- cated on the northeast corner of Second avenue and Nineteenth street, in the Smith block. People who knew her say hat she was not Il stenographer when she left Birmingham years ago.
 While employed by MT. Mullaney, who, by the way, now has a store in Augusta, man by the name of Phillips, who was employed by the Warner Canday and Confectionery company, on Second ave- nue. They lived for awhile in a modest little dwelling on South Twentieth street, between Avenues G and H. Late one night the house in which they resided caught fire from some cause, it being hinted at the time that it was the work of an incendiary, and the couple are said to have escaped from the burning build ing in their night robes as the roof was caving in. In this connection it was said that Phillips showed signs of having been chlorofcrmed.
 Moved to Chicago.
 Later they moved to Chicago, Phil lips having secured a position with large mercantile firm there as confidential man. He was then not over 20 years of age. but family differences arose. As time passed on the wife filed suits in Chi cago courts, seeking to obtain divorce from the husband While the litigation was pending it is said, that she went to New York. Before the divorce proceedings were ever heard Phillips was found dead in the private offices of the firm by whom he was employed. pistol lay by the side of his prostrate form. He left no letter, nor anything telling why he had com mitted the rash deed, if 1t was suicide, and the authorities of Chicago are said never to have fathomed the mysterious death.
 Mrs. Phillips then opened a stenographic bureau in New York. She was an energetic and business like young woman, and 1t did not take her long to get footing in the great city. By her tact, her busi- ness increased. and in a short while she had more work than she could attend to. Several assistants were employed and then she sent to Birmingham for her brother-in-law, a Mir Harris, who was an expert stenographer employed by the law firm of Lane & White, who had offices in the Lyon & Terry building just across the street from the Jefferson county court house It is said that she placed her brother-in-law entirely in charge of her stenographic bureau so far as the active work was concerned.
 She was q hustler and soon won the confidence of financers in ] CIV York, 1t is said that during Mayor Strong's regime she cleared within one years time $3O,000 from hes sisnographic bureau. She was married to Mir Reader in London about eight years ago
 The sisters of her first husband reside in Birmingham now and are well con- neeted Mrs Reader has brother who resides near Birmingham. He Is an en- gineer by profession and is also a minis ter of the gospel.
 About six years ago, Mrs. Reader. then occupying a prominent position in the business world of New York, visited Bir- mingham for the purpose of promoting railroad project. She was convinced that new line from Birmingham to Selma would pay. and other railroad projects were in her mind These rail- road scnemes were abandoned. but while Mrs. Reader was here on this visit she was cordially received both socially and in a business way. Bankers. lawyers. railroad commissioners and leading poll ticians showed her marked attention.
 Mrs. Reader is a handsome woman rather tall. and impresses every one who comes in contact with her with her acute mind and her grace of manner
 She was born in Marion. Ala. and her