The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1915-03-12

81. Paul. March 5.-Twenty-two
wears ago this week. Mrs. G. G.. Hig-
bee began i'm ST. Paul a statewide
campaign I'm behalf OF delinquent
girls. Last night, with fame more
than statewide as a club woman and
reform worker she ended her In
bJrs. Death came to her in the re-
firing room OF the capitol house
chamber. just after she had ended
m eloquent plea for a state home
for TIE girls so Ions neT chief in
tercst in life.
An hour before. size had uttered
words of whose prophetic nature
she may have had little knowledge.
My too active heart is still both
cring me-. she told friends on the
way to a hearing before the house
prison committee. but | am going
TO continue to iight, even though |
die in the harness'
Miss Josephine SChain. OF MinHe-
apolis. had been speaking only an
instant when Mrs. Eiigbec. i'm a seat
near the west wall OF the room. be-
came pale aud began coughing. Her
head fell upon her breast.
Z. J. Dies. an Associated Press
correspondent, ran to her side, took
her in his arms as she began top
ping from her chair, and loosened
her collar. Others ran for water
and IA search of physicians.
Caused Women to Weep.
She's dying" exclaimed some
one. The room suddenly grew still.
\ woman sobbed. Another stepped
to the corner OF the room and lifted
her hands above her head. She may
have been weeping, or praying 10
herself. Mrs. EIiGbee's eyeIids Hut
tered as IL seeking to give her "a
final glance OF the room where she
han talked often for projects near
her heart. her lips parted in the
raintest OF smiles. and she was dead
Our leader has departed" a wom-
an said Several burst into tears
and Ivft the room. Others remained
beside the Jody, stretched on the
floor
Doctors ]. W. Andrews OF Man
katu and r. Hilbert OF MclrOse, state
sDuaiOrs, aud Dr. J. \. Dubois OF
Sank enter. Il member Of Governor
EbCriIart's educational cummissiun.
Who we're in the building and at
Mrs. Higbee's side within a few min
utss after she was stricken. said
heart disease caused her death.
tinser In Corridors.
Long after the body had been re-
moved. women stood about the cor.
ridors in silent little groups.
During her plea for a reformatory
go
the fact that the state has no place
for women who are past the age Of
~. TulesS they IRE criminals AMI
IRE sent to prison
For twenty-five wears have
fought the Battle OF the girls" she
said. Many times / have come be.
fore the Minnesota Legislature 10
urge adoption OF reform legislation
and for the establishment y wom-
ans reformatory
Il had not intended speaking To-
you tonight. But since I have been
invited to do 80. I am constrained
To urge this committee and this leg
isIature TO consider deeply and seri-
Ously Our declarations OF the neces-
sity OF a woman's reformatory"
She then outlined al some length
conditions i'm European reforrnai-
tories.
Freedom Is the Test.
Freedom is the test OF the penal
institution she said. ct Is the
test OF efficiency We must give the
women fresh air. Gods glorious sun
shine and as mich freedom as is
consistent with discipline.
With a reasonable amount or
work i'm the open, the woman who
i'as felt the pain Of sin viii take a
new lease of life. try to forget her
sinful past and dwell in hopes OF
the future
Minnesota, as our grand new
prison would indicate. Is not trail
ing in the rear i'm prison reform.
Now friends. have said more
than [ had intended. I can only add,
in closing. that I shall trust to your
good Judgment to accord US a new
women's reformatory."
Those Wprp her last wortls