Los Angeles herald., 1910-07-24
PAWNED CLOCK To
PURCHASE DRINK
Blind Woman Relates Experience
with Man She Crossed
Country to Wed
WIFE ASKS FOR PROBATION
Didn't MiStreat Her, She Says,
and Welfare Board
Grants Parole
WIFE ASKS FOR PROBATION

KANSAS CITY, Mo-. July 23.-"Pa-
role for Clarence R. Jett, applied for
by Mrs. Jett." called the clerk, reading
from a ch-thumbed slip of paper.
The board of public welfare, in ses-
sion in the building of the United
Jewish Charities association at Har-
risOn street and Admiral boulevard,
turned polite attention to the door
leading to the women's waiting room.
There was an uncertain shuft1ing OF
feet and Mrs Jett appeared. Her eyes
were closed and she held her hands
in front of her, weaving them back and
forth in the manner of the blind.
Mrs Jett is about SO years old. She
wore an old, fat hat and a well-worn
pongee suit that did not fit. A black
edged palm-leaf fan hung from her
right wrist and oseillated freely as she
CROPPED her way to the nearest chair.
But Mrs. Jett figured in a romance
in this city last March. For three days
she was in the public eye because she
seemed to be another victim of unre-
Quilted affection.
That was why the board took such
an interest in her case when she came
before them to ask the parole of her
husband from the workhouse. Most
of the members had forgotten how love
had gone out of the window Of the
Oak street apartments about the same
time as a CLOCK. IIl6 CIletlSiOu pOSoSS-
sion of Mrs. Jett, had disappeared from
the mantel to repose in pawn shop.
WAS a MARCH BRIDE
Early last March, Mrs. Jett, then
Mrs. Susan B. Mitchell, came to Kan
sns City from Clarkson, Wash, to
marry her present husband. She ar
rived at the Union depot without
cent, and was sent to the Helping Hand
institute because Jett was not at the
depot to meet her, and she had no
other place to go. 1t seems that she
! came in ahead of schedule, and her
| fance, a burly quarryman of 1887 Main
street, did not go to meet her at the
train until the following day. The
newspapers advertised her predica-
ment, however, Jett appeared, and they
were married on st. Patrick's day.
The marriage was the wonder of all
who witnessed the ceremony. Besides
! her infirmity the woman had the draw
! back of being many years older than
her husband and not strong. 1t was
/ in thin, piping voice that she framed
/ her replies to the preacher. Jett, VINO
/ loomed up beside her big and strong
from his life of rock handling. doomed
out his answers. The officials at the
! Helping Hand could not grasp the sit
uation.
In a few days Mrs. Jett returned to
the Helping Hand and told a story that
caused her husbands instant arrest
She said he had misused her. They
had separated and she was selling lace
of her own making and face cream
on commission. Jett was found at l6OS
Oak street. He was tried for non
support and sentenced to the work
house for 100 days on June IL.
"I want my man back" Mrs. Jett
said to the board of public welfare
Yesterday afternoon. "He was kind TO
me generally and I need his support.
I think it is a shame that l should be
working day in and day out to keep
! body and soul together when there IS
| a big. able bodied man who might
/ help. l have not a relative in the world
and I am absolutely dependent on my
| own resources. They are not much.
! have been blind for fifteen years."
but are you sure he would help
YOU now?" inquired Jacob Billikopf of
the board.
Eyes, 1 know he would" was the s,
! answer. "He has told me he would. "
But it is said that he was cruel TO
YOU" persisted Mr.. Billikopf
"That is not true. He furnished a
nice home and was doing all he could.
What 1 had him arrested for was TAX
ing a clock and pawning it to buy
drink Why, l had no money when
was in Washington. and he sent me
$35 to come here and marry him. That
was kindness itself, wasn't it?"
"That wasn't so bad" admitted Mr..
Billikopf.
Jett was then paroled on condition
that he take good care of his wife.