Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-08-18


Tho Mother Broke Down Utterly.
some rascal back O. it, but, loike al
not, they'll never catch him. Her
poor mither Is heart broke"
The cottage in which the tragedy,
whatever it might be, had taken place
was one Of three cottages built side by
side, each exactly a copy Of the other.
The houses in that neighborhood were
occupied almost entirely by the work
ers in the large factories near by.
Reginald knocked, and a woman about
middle age, with eyes red from weep
ing, came to the door.
II represent the Courier" said the
reporter, stepping inside. II have call
ed to get the details of the death of
the girl"
Low as he spoke woman sitting
near small stove in the room over
heard him. Her face was the picture
Of despair. She was wringing her
hands. Tears were silently coursing
down her cheeks.
"Oh, my God, my God! Will the
world know the shame Of my poor
Mae?" she shrieked as she heard the
newspaper man make his inquiry.
"Oh, Mae, why did you do it? Why
did you do it,"
Reginald spoke in a kind, sympa-
thet1c voice, seating himself on a va
cant chair beside the stricken woman.
She wept Historically for a few mo-
ments. Then she became calmer.
"How old was your daughter?" Regi-
Aald asked after a pause.
The woman made an effort to con-
troll herself as she answered. Twenty
one"
"Tell me how it happened" Regi-
maid looked inquiringly at the mother.
presence and his questions
seemed to give relief to the woman.
MAE went to work yesterday just
Us usual" she began, wiping her eyes.
"She looked as we'll as ever, and
thought to myself as she went out Of
the door that there wasn't nicer or
prettier girl in Bronson than my Mae"
Here the mothers voice weakened
somewhat, but she braced herself and
when she came home in
the evening it was later than usual,
and asked her what kept her so late"
where did she work." asked Regi-
Maid.
AT the Gregory factory"
There was a pause.
'She told me she had a bad head
ache and that she would not take any
supper, and soon after she went to
bed. In little while I heard her
grooming, and I came into her room,
and she was lying in bed in great pain.
I called the doctor at once, and he
came in little while and said she was
poisoned"
"What doctor did you callY' inquir-
ed Reginald.
"Dr. Gracely. He did everything he
could, but all he could do was to give
her opiates to quiet her pain. She
didn't think she was going to die at
first and kept saying she would soon
feel better, but as the night went on
she got worse, and when she saw how
sick she was she tried to tell me some
thing, but 1t was too late"
The mother broke down utterly as
she repeated these words, and Regi-
maid decided to leave. .~5
Before returning to the Courier Of
fee Reginald visited the Gregory fac
tory to learn what he could regarding
the girl. When he called at the office
he found that Roland Gregory had not
yet arrived at the factory, but he re.
ceived permission to interrogate some
Of the girls who worked alongside OF
the unfortunate Mae. d..
The girls at the factory had evident.
~ heard of the tragedy, and they were
much moved at the sudden death OF
their fellow worker.
In the afternoon Reginald attended
the inquest. DR.. Gracely made full
report of the examination. Death had
been caused by poison, evidently, SELF
administered. Is
"There was sad reason for the rash
act of the GIRL" said the doctor. "Hel
case proves that some of the charges
recently made in regard to abuses In
factories employing women and girls
are true. If only the death of Mae
Mobray could arouse public sentiment
to the absolute necessity Of public con
troll of such industries the poor girl has
not died In vain" %
The words of DR.. Graceiy made a
profound impression on Reginald Mel
son, and in his account Of the tragedy
in the Courier he quoted the words Of
the doctor, writing up the story II
such a vivid manner that for mum
Der Of days the tragedy was the CHIEF
topic Of conversation.
The week following Reginald depart
ed for the Illinois town where Billy
Sunday was closing campaign. The
young Englishman, was delighted Will