The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-08-23

If YOU wish to be saddened and de-
pressed in spirit for many days, take
a tour through the hinterland that was
devastated by the cruel forest fires
last October.
If you feel elated over the optimistic
expressions, given by little Eva, chief
beneficiary Of the American Red Cross
work and the operations Of the state
relief commission, follow the trail Of
desolation and ruin that the hungry
army worms are leaving in many
neighborhoods tributary to Duluth.
If you are disconnected with your
lot after those experiences, then listen
to the tales of woe, grief and hard
ship as told by scores Of forest fire
victims. Running through many Of
these tales, like a red line across war
map, are the trails Of different law
yers, irradically imprinted, emphasiz-
ing more OF less strongly mans in
humanity to man, which makes count
less millions mourn, SO the poet says.
Let Mrs. N. C. Jacobson Of Scanlon
take the witness stand. Mrs. Jacob
con is a Lady Of Norske birth, 70 years
of age, but exceedingly well informed
and possessed Of a heart that beats
for her less fortunate fellow creatures.
Mrs. jacobson is especially inter.
ested at this time in the fate and for
tunes of Mrs. Hannah Naylor, forest
fire victim, a widow, a loving mother
end, at present, an inmate Of the state
institution for those of defective or
disordered minds at Faribault.
According to Mrs. Jacobson's touch
ing story, Mrs. Naylor lived on q him
terland farm out Floodwood way, with
her husband and three children, a boy
aged fourteen, another Of about twelve
and little girl only four years Of age.
The Naylor family lost home, per-
sonal possessions and the farm equip
ment in the devouring fires of last Oc-
tober. Two cows, a heifer and q
horse were saved in some way. After
the fire, the family went to Scanlon,
in Carlton county, where a shack was
secured in which to live.
Mr.. Naylor secured employment at
Moose Lake in fire relief work. He
caught the influenza at Moose Lake
and, early in November, died in the
Coquet hospital.
Mrs. Naylor kept the family to-
eether and is represented as slowly
making progress against the great ad'
versity visited upon her and her
fatherless children. She took care OF
her cows and turned the heifer into
heef for benefit of the family larder.
Early in December, some one made
complaint that Mrs. Naylor was men
tally disordered. Mrs. Jacobson 81.
lepes that DR.. Spurbeck recommended
that the woman be committed to some
state institution. It further is al
legged that Judge Watkins, Of Carlton
county. committed the unfortunate
woman to the institution tor the
feeble. minded at Faribault. 1t is de-
elared that a formal hearing was not
held, as required by law, and that
county attorney Lord failed to appear
in the woman's defense, as the law re-
quires, according to opinions OF reput-
able attorneys. If the Rip-saw IS
correctly informed, the fond mother,
the sorrowing widow and the forest
fire victim not only was denied a
public hearing but her legal interests
were not safe-guarded as required by
the law of the great state Of Mime
sofa.
Mrs. jacobson has received letters
from Mrs. Naylor which have every
indication that the woman was ra-
tional at the time Of writing. The
kind Mother in Israel also has made
two trips to Faribault, out of her good
ness of heart, although she is only a
poor working woman, to see her I'M
fortunate friend and neighbor. When
personally seen and interviewed, Mrs.
Naylor shows ample evidence Of being
rational and as near her right mind as
q woman under her burdens well can
be, so Mrs. jacobson declares.
After Mrs. Naylor was sent to the
funny house at Faribault, her three
children were committed to the state
institution at Owatonna. Since then,
the poor woman has been informed
that the state has given out the two
boys in adoption. To whom or where,
the anxious and loving mother is de-
MED information. Any letters that
she writes to her bright, obedient,
loving little sons must 60 to them
through third party. Any letters that
they may write her must come in n
similar way. They are represented
as being good, loving, bright, obedient
and helpful sons, almost old enough
to support an humble home. But,
separated as mother and sons are, the
boys being controlled by and in the
possession of unknown strangers, it is
enough to deprive any mother Of rea-
son, to say nothing Of normal nerves
and healthy body.
Even brute, deprived Of her off,
spring, would see red, have brain
storm and do her utmost to attack
those who might rob her Of her young.
Mrs. Naylor, immured at Faribault
and held there by the hand Of the