The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-08-18
Big BENEFIT FOR
BRAVE CHORUS GIRL
Marjorie Mahr Had Both Legs Cut on
In Railroad Accident, but Retains
Sunny Disposition.

PORTLAND. ORE Special.-What
Is claimed to be the largest sum ever
raised by any theatrical benefit for a
single individual in the United States
has just been gathered here for a
poor, friendleSS and unknown chorus
girl, Marjorie Mahr. The fund reaches
almost to $4,000, and will pass that
mark, for contributions are pouring i'm
every hour. Where the fund will
finally stop nobody knows, for the one
touch of nature that makes the wide
world kin has shaken loose the purse
strings OF the whole city.
Marjorie Mahr was run down by a
southern Pacific train on a bridge in
South Portland two weeks ago. and
both legs were badly mangIed by the
locomotive. 1t was thought she could
not survive the accident, but physi-
clans did what they could to save her
life. One limb was amputated at the
hip, the other at the ankle. She
tors wondered whether she would
have the courage to live or would de-
feat their efforts by preferring death.
But plucly Marjorie Mahr made
them all sit up After the horror of
the accident and the suffering of the
girl came out of the horrid nightmare
with a smile on her face. The news
papers photographed that smile,
printed ii with the story of her pluck,
n.
The Armstrong Comedy Company
playing at the Lyric Theater, where
Miss Mahr was one of the ponies, de-
cided on a benefit. This went big.
There was wide demand for tickets.
The Lyric chorus girls went out in
autos the day of the benefit with a
banner to remind ticket buyers of the
date and silver showered into the ma
chimes from the sidewalks and office
windows of the downtown district.
Benefit was Spontaneous.
This town has never known any
thing so spontaneous as the benefit
for Miss Mahr. Here was a young
helpless girl who had got the worst
of it and yet, with her terrible handi-
cap, still faced life bravely. Mrs.
Fiske, playing here in Becky Sharp"
was so struck by the girls pluck that
she called on her personally with as
surances of sympathy and help. She
called her courage the greatest thing
in the world and pledged herself to
aid Marjorie Mahr in getting started
again in something useful after she
gets out Of the hospital. She made
the chorus promise to write to her
when she gets well.
Margaret Anglin, appearing here
in THE Awakening of Helena Richie"
sent flowers to the unfortunate girl,
and vaudeville performers on the Or
pheum circuit are doing acts of kind
ness for her. Numerous people of
the city have offered life positions
to the girl planning to give her work
she can perform, such as ticket sell
ing on some office tasks. City editors
of the Portland dalies are custodians
of the fund.
At the benefit society people sold
candy. The girls picture, plucky
smile and all, was thrown on the cur
tain and fac smile letter of thanks
from the injured girl was flashed as
follows:
Miss Mahr's Letter.
ITO my dear friends:
Il regret that l cannot be present
to thank you for your generosity and
gratitude l feel if words were ade.
quate. 1 hope to meet you all some
day and shake each of you by tho
hand.
Please accept my best wishes that
you may all prosper. and that / may
be able TO help others through your
kind assistance.
Sincerely yours,
MARJORIE MAHR."
Last night was certainly my big
night in Portland" said she, when
told the next day of the crowds that
stormed the theater to attend the
benefit. Two performances were
given, and then only a small part of
the number who bought tickets tried
TO use them. Despite her interest ir
the benefit. the girl had a bad night. !
Her mangled limbs panied her horri- |
bly,. and in the morning she admitted
to screaming bloody murder" when
the doctor pulled out the stitches.
But / am feeling very comfortable |
now" she said, smiling back at her |
questioner.
That smile of Marjorie's ought to |
give her an honorary membership in |
the Sunshine Society.