Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-01-25
POLICE SEARCH IN
VAIN FOR WOMAN
TOMB DWELLER
Children Found in Cemetery Say
That Mother Went for
Food.
VAULT is HOME CHOSEN
BY THIS DESTITUTE TRIO
Daughters Taken to Charitable
institution While Search for
Parent Is Made.
Especial to the Newark stan

PATERSON, Jan. 25.-Did Mrs.
Pauline Green desert her two children
in the old Todd tomb, in the abandoned
Presbyterian Cemetery, or has she
done away with herself? That is the
question that is puzzling the police of
this city today. All last night and until
carly this morning Sergeant Sauttef
and a squad of police kept a vigil over
the vault, in the hope hat the mother
would return. The cemetery was
practically surrounded. II there was
no trace of the woman who. according
to the children. brought them from
Shenandoah, Pa, a week ago. and since
then had made their home in the vault.
The children are still in the Gallant
home, and this morning they arose
after the first good nights rest In over
a month.
The girls are Sophie and Margaret
Green, IL and IA years old. respectively.
Cemetery la Abandoned.
The bodies were removed from the
vault a month ago when the ceme-
terry was abandoned. They have
been taken TO other cemeteries and the
old Presbyterian burial grounds win
soon give way to building plots. To-
gether With their mother the girls came
here from Pennsylvania January g.
Since then they have made their home
in the vault. which was constructed
more than one hundred years ago.
According to the story they told the
police. five years ago their father was
Gfffcd and since then the family has
been III destitute circumstances. They
heard OF Paterson and that work was
plentiful here the mother decided
to come to this city and get employ
lnent for the entire family. But work
was not SO easily gotten as they sup
posed. The little money that they bad
soon vanished, and the promised work
seemed further off h ever.
While In the vicinity OF the cemetery
late yesterday afternoon Policeman
Daily saw smoke issuing from the vault
0 He made an investigation and
found the girls huddled close together
trying to keep warm near a small fire,
On which they were boiling potatoes.
What arc you girls doing heref"
demanded the policeman.
I'VE are waiting for mother" said
Margaret Green.
where is she?" asked DAILY
.'Out looking for food and work" was
the reply.
Vault Only Home They Knew.
Policeman DAILY asked the girls where
they lived and was surprised when
they told him that the deserted vault
was the only home they had In the
world. The vault IS q small room,
partly underground. 16 by 20 feet. lily
lighted and ventilated. In one corner
was a pile of damp rags. These the
girls explained they used for a bed,
In the pot on the small fire the
policeman saw three large potatoes.
They will make the only meal we
have had since yesterday" saii Sophie.
What" exclaimed the policeman
You must be hungry"
I'VE are they replied. "You see
when papa was alive We had almost
everything, AT least we never went
hungry. Mamma went out a short
time ago TO see If she could get some
thing for us TO eat"
Both the girls We're in rags. Their
clothing was insufficient to keep them
warm. At police headquarters they
we're fed by the police and later taken
to the Gallant Home in Market street.
Efforts will be made to have them
placed in a permanent home.
I'VE do not want - be dependents"
said Margaret. "All we want is work
SO we and mother can live together"