The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-07

II room at the Emergency Hospital,
where the Stiffness of death was Unbroken
by the two physicians the nurse and the
grief-striekeil mother grouped about the
bed. Miss Mary Rembert Brown. graduate
nurse. heroine. and daughter Of Virginia.
who braved the fury OF a frenzied typhoid
fever patient in delirium that she might
save the life OF others. gave up her
brave struggle for life last night and
died with smile on her face.
The hands of a clock in the corridor
outside the death chamber showed 7:Ss,
when one Of the physicians, who held the
hand of the dying woman. placed It
across her breast, and drew the sheet
over her face. with the words:
1T is the end"
His words released the grief Of the
mother, who had remained silent. Mrs.
Brown gave vent TO her sorrow and
dropped on her knees beside the bed,
and sobbed aloud
Mother Was Led Away.
At a nod from one Of the physicians,
the nurse placed an arm about Mrs.
Brown. whispered a word of comfort to
her, and led her from the room The
physicians followed. Another nurse en-
tered the room, closed the door, and kept
vigil beside the bed.
Such was the end OF the youkg woman
whose heroic deed in defense of the lives
OF two other women gained the admira-
ton OF Washington and was heralded
throughout the country. Had she won
the struggle for life, her reward would
probably have been more material. for
movement had been taaugurated to award
to Miss Brown a Carnegie medal
On the night Of December 20 last Miss
Brown received her mortal wound. She
was watching at the bedside of Martin l.
Sterling. a broker, as he lay in his room
on the second floor OF his home. Sl9 c
street southwest, a sufferer from typhoid
fever.
The patient was delirious. His condi-
ton was critical Miss Brown watched
every movement Of the patient, awaiting
a sign of a change for the worse, that she
might summon DR.. J. r. Blggs, attending
physician, without delay.
1t was o'clock when the nurse saw
the patient needed nourishment. She left
the room, going to the first floor. She
passed through the dining-room, telling
the wife and daughter of the sick man
that his condition was unchanged. Mrs.
Sterling and her daughter sat at a table
IN the dining-room, ready to give as
sistance il needed.
Miss Brown had opened the kitchen
door when she heard a cry of alarm
from Mrs. Sterling. She saw Sterling
entering the dining-room, clothed IN pa
jamas. His hair was disheveled. An
expression on his face showed he was
delirious. In his right hand he held a
revolver. which he raised to the height
of his shoulder and aimed at Miss
Brown.
There was a report. Miss Brown stag
gered as bullet entered her right breast
She did not fall. but threw herself at
Sterling. She grappled with him, forced
him back over the table, wrenched the
revolver from his hand, and threw II
through the window. Sterling collapsed
from exhaustion. Miss Brown picked up
a telephone from q table in the room.
She was connected with DR.. Biggs and
told him what had happened. Then Miss
Brown fell beside Sterling.
Events in Confusion.
Events following have never been ac-
curately described. There was confusion
in the house and in the street, where
MrS Sterling and her daughter had fed
A patrol wagon occupied by police re-
serves added 10 the confusion. Mss Brown
was removed to Emergency Hospital.
Several physicians were called 10 the G
street house 10 attend Mrs. Sterling and
her daughter, who were hysterical
Sterling was removed to George Wash
ington University Hospital He was de-
lirious-did not know what he had done.
An operation was performed on Hiss
Brown. the bullet being extracted. The
wound was dangerous, the bullet having
penetrated the right lung. The best med
Ical aid In Washington was sought in an
effort 10 save the life Of the nurse.
She gradually grew better. hope OF her
ultimate recovery being strong. Then
the movement TO procure for her the
Continued on Page 2, Column 3.