Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-10-11
BROWN CASE
E,tter To Free Prses Says 81. Louis
viii Aid Dependents.


The case of Orrie Reuben Brown,
the st. Lousis married man who was
drafted, has evidently been brought
TO close, after considerable publ
city in the state papers, which east
reflections at the Gratiot board which
il in no way deserved. The following
article from the Free Press, explains
the case and shows that Mrs. Brown
and child will be well cared for by
81. Louis
To the Editor: The attention Of
ST Louis citizens has been called TO
the recent articles in your valued pa
pei dealing with the situation of Mrs.
Orrie Reuben Brown, whose husband
i. at Camp Custer, and we deem II
Que Mrs Brown and this city that
ca rect statement Of facts should be
given your readers.
First, let us call your attention TO
lie fact that Mr.. Brown failed to file
any exemption claims. Therefore, as
YOU will readily under stand the local
board for Gratiot county had no pos
sble way Of eXempting him from the
draft.
Second, Mrs Brown accompanied
her husband TO the cantonment merely
desiring to see the camp and thinking
possibly it might be her last trip with
hci husband. but intended returning
Immediately to St Louis. which she
did on the next day. She did not toll
up the hill holding the child by the
hand" and the husband was not sent
hack by the officer in charge TO assist
her. On the contrary, she with her
husband and child were placed in a
taxicab at the station and taken to
the cantonment where she waited for
lis examination and she was later
& NJ back by taxicab to ne y. W. C..
a.. where she remained over night
without expense TO herself and re-
turned TO st. Louis the next morning
Her husband accompanied her to the
train
The house in which She lives She
rents for SO month and sub-rents
icnc-half OF il for the same amount.
Therefore. she is without charge on
this account She has two good gar
dens with plenty Of potatoes, beans
and vegetables of all kinds, to last
through the entire winter.
Immediately upon her return to st.
Louis the city commissioner furnished
her with coal, flour, butter, lard and
groceries of various kinds. and she
advised yesterday that these were not
exhausted and that she did not under
stand the publicity which had been
given her case by your valuable pa
per and she would be gl;d to have a
statement Of actual facts submitted
4 10 you for the benefit Of your readers.
The civic league and city will see
that Mrs. Brown is taken care of prop
crly and have done so at all times, and
the family is not one-half as destitute
a. dozens Of others who could be
found in this and every other COM
munity Proper steps have been
taken by the local board and those IN
authority looking % the discharge OF
! Mr. Brown, out the present predica
ment of himself and his family is due
lentircly 70 his laci OF attention in fol
lowing the suggestions and directions
given him by the local board and 10y
The government.
Parents Offered Family Home.
Dir. Browns mother and father are
living at Merrill from which place
this family removed to this city only
last March The parents have offered
i home TO Mrs. Brown and the child
Her own mother and father live on the
suburbs of Nassar and her mother
has written her to come home.
We appreciate the kindly interest
shown at all times by The Free Press
in assisting those in need or distressed
but it is quite evident that decideded
misunderstanding has arisen in the
case Of Mrs. Brown and her needs
and if you viii kindly say to your
readers that the city administration
OF ST. Louis, as well as the many
loyal, patriotic people of this city, will
look after Mrs. Brown and that nc
further attention is necessary from
outside sources. we shall be deeply
gratified. Yours very truly,
otto +. Mey, Mayor
Mary l. Andrews,
\. y. Darragh,
President Civic League
81 Tnpis Mich. Oct. i. 1917