The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-01-12
MOTHER" MOLl,
WEALTHY MILK
vENDER, is DEAD
Ased Woman Whose Trou-
bles Attracted Attention,
Dies of Infrmities.

Theresa A. Moll, for 70 years a
resident of Bridgeport and known to
almost every man, woman and child
in the North End as Mother" MOL,
died early today at her home in Ar
lington, aged 80 years. For more
than half century she had been a
familiar figure on the streets of this
city peddling milk and vegetables
with an old horse and a rickety wag-
on.
Although her personal appearance,
decrept horse and ancient equipage
seemed to indicate extreme poverty,
Mrs. Moll, lived WE'LL her home was
well furnished and kept exceedingly
neat and the estate which she leaves
is estimated to be between $4,000
and $4,000. Her irascible temper and
eccentricities attracted small boys to
plague her and she had disputes with
her neighbors which brought her into
the courts or the public prints.
For the last ten years little had
been seen of her as she was under
the care of her son, Gustavus A. Moll,
her conservator. Since 1903 this son
has been in litigation before the
Bridgeport probate court with his sis
ters, Mrs. Theresa Oberly and Mrs.
Lily Thorpe, who sought to have him
removed as conservator or to make
different arrangements for the hand
ling Of their mothers estate. 1t is
believed that she left will drawn
about dozen years ago and making
distribution of her estate. If such
document exists, it is believed 1t Will
be the subject Of further litigation.
Since last spring, Mrs. Moll had al
most constant medical attendance and
had been under the care of a trained
nurse. Her death was due to the, in
firmities Of old age. About a week
ago Mrs. Moll lapsed into coma and
was unconscious for more than "a
hours. It was believed her end had
come but to the surprise of her physi-
clan and Of her relatives she recover
ed her senses and was able to recog-
nize those about her. At this tiwe her
daughter, Mrs Oberly made complaint
to Judge Miller of the probate court
that her mother was not receiving
the necessary care and attention.
Judg& Miller sent two physicians to
investigate who reported Mrs. Ober-
Iy's complaint as unwarranted.
VlISs I1OA1 was Will AA "a ON1AASS ~
Sake Weimer, Germany and came to
this country when very young. In
New York city she met her late hus-
band, Gustayus Mon. The latter
died here about six years ago. Mr..
Moll was an expert machinist and
toolmaker and about 20 years ago the
couple came to live in this city. Mr..
Moll was employed in various factor
~ F<, oh 20 xuo
employed in the factory Of the
Co.
Years ago the couple purchased the
little farm off Madison avenue where
their family WAS reared. Gradually
they added to their property holdings
until there was included in the 10
acre plot which surrounded their
This property which borders Burns
ford" is now rated at $4,000 per
acre.
tory, Mrs Mol worked the garden
plot about their home. raised Vege-
tables and looked after the chickens
and cows. 1t was while peddling milk,
eggs and vegetables about the streets
that Mrs. Moll came to be known as
Mother Mol. Before his death Mr..
Mol purchased the property at Hou-
satonic avenue and Gold street and
transferred it to his wife. This prop
erty she retained and it is a part Of
her estate.
In October. 1903, Gustav Mol
brought action in the probate court
to have his mother adjudged insane.
This action had several hearings be-
fore Judge Thomas c. Coughlin and
he finally appointed Moll and his sis
ter. Mrs. Oberly, conservators OF their
mother. An inventory Of her estate
which they filed later, showed S.
1875 mostly cash in banks There
after until May 10, 1915. Moll and
his sisters. Mrs. Oberly and Mrs.
Thorpe, were in constant legal dispute
as to the care Of their mother and
the distribution of her estate. Mrs
CONTINUED on Page ~
To Cure a Cold in One Day