The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1914-10-02
Sheriff 0sien ls to Hold Off
Paying That Reward
For Awhile

Mamie Shanahan at Mason City. She
did not come back with him, but pre-
ferred to remain at Mason City ant
continue to work for the Young Won
ems Christian association.
Mamie declined to tell the sheriff
how she got from the Tweit farm In
Medo 10 the railroad station. where
she took the train, on the day OF hel
departure from her uncle's home
She said she left home alone. She
would not even say whether she
walked or rode. But she stated that
she made her way to Albert Lea,
Here she had intended to remain and
find work. However, somebody there
advised her to go to Mason City,
where, she was told, there was a good
chance of her obtaining employment.
The sheriff suggested that she
should come back with him, Just to
get the papers. which secure her
right to her properties. She did
not care to come back Just then,
even for that, but said she might
do so later.
The Mason City Times says of the
Shanahan case:
Sheriff Osten has handled the case
from beginning to end in a most
Creditable manner. He worked to
avoid doing or saying anything that
would brighten Miss Shanahan and
cause her unnecessary worry or alarm.
All day Tuesday he waited, doing
nothing for fear Of complicating mat
tiers. II he had approached the young
woman and confronted her suddenly
with the fact that she was known, she
might have denied her identity and
nothing could have been done. AS II
was, Mr.. Ostcn waited patiently until
Peter Oleson, son of her former guar
dian, arrived Wednesday morning on
the Milwaukee. They went immedi-
ateIy TO the Y. w. c. A. and Mamie
was called into the front room. She
stood the partly open dining room
doors for an instant before Gdyanc-
ing toward the men. Mr.. Oleson
rose and greeted her pleasantly.
Smile Lighted Mamie's Face.
"A slight smile lighted Mamie's face
for a moment and then a look of fear
and dread came into II. Mr.. Osten
told her that he had been sent over
the country to look or her and had
at last found her here. He assured
her in a quiet, kindly tone that he
had come TO help her and would
make her do nothing she did not
want to do or let any one harm her.
He told her how he had gone into
her room at the farm and found
$1,000 worth of certificates scattered
about over the bed and the chairs.
Mamie said that when she left home
she had locked everything in her trunk.
She did not seem to realize that the
money was hers to do with as she
pleases. but left most Of II there
thinking she had no right to take II
away. Mr.. Osten suggested that the
girl go back with him and get her
money and her belongings and return
to Mason City ana the Y. w. c. A.,
where she is happy and contented
under splendid influences.
Her Arrival at Mason City.
ION July 80, Miss Shanahan arrived
in Mason City, and going to the Ger
70 Gordo hotel, registered as Marbel
Shannon OF Albert Lea. She sought
work and was directed to the Y. w.
c. A. The secretary found en-
ployment for the girl, who seemed
to be entirely alone and friendless.
The place was not satisfactory for
the girl nor the people for whom she
worked. She returned to the Y. w.
c. A. and was given employment as
n dishwasher. Living quietly there
in q safe and refined home, the girl,
who says she has been scolded all
her life, and for whom the police
and officers over the country were
searching In vain, lived happily, feel
ing safe from discovery or intrusion.
The uncle OF the girl with whom
she has lived for many years, Michael
Tweit, offered $500 reward for in
formation leading TO the apprehension
OF the girl, dead or alive. Mills,
factories, hotels, hospitals and even
houses of questionable reputation
have been searched for her. The
police OF Minneapolis and st. Paul
have spent hours assisting in the
futile search.
silent, lonely, but seemingly con-
tent, the girl has been in Mason City
since the day after she disappeared
so mysteriously from her home. Many
theories of murder, foul play and
suicide were followed without result.
except that the girl had seemed TO
drop out of existence as completely
as though che had never lived.
.. Had Prayed Once.
SAT the Y. w. G. A. wnere the Cir
has lived for nearly two months, moth.
ing was ever learned OF her past
They did not know how old she was.
She never mentioned relative. 81
lent, intent always upon the monoto.
nous work Of washing dishes, she
piodded duly through the days. She
never went anywhere except down
town occasionally I'm the afternoon
She had no opinions about anything
apparently. The pie plates that are
rsed for ME. salads and fruits IN