The Washington times., 1919-07-19
MISSING BARONESS
FOUND AS SERVANT
Dons Apron and Cap to Get
First Hand Tips on How
To Rear Children.

NEW YORK, July 19.-Two days out
Of New York on the steamship Moor
dam. her bearing and raiment COM
portable with the ownership Of Van
Ophemert Castle, Holland, is baron
sss who is equipped for the struggle
OF life with two strong recommends
tions that she is a servant OF hrst-
class ability.
And the Baroness Hommell Mackay.
interviewed the day of sailing. spoke
little OF suffrage and the League OF
Nations and world politics. but talked
at length and with enthusiasm OF her
pride in having been described by two
San Francisco families as the best
servant they ever had.
The baroness, who, at her own no.
ton, discarded her jewels and hnery
and CARRIED herself in apron and cap,
and then, her purpose attained, again
wished herself back into titled sta
tion, was for four months sought by
detectives of the coast metropolis as
having disappeared mysteriously. all
the while she was working as serv-
ant. so she could gather a irst-hand
impression of American democracy.
has Two Children.
Her name, was Ella Hommell. born
Of wealthy Swiss parents. She mar
ried Baron Daniel Mackay, Dutch
shipowner and now acting as chief
official Of Medan, Sumatra- There
are two children, Maria, twelve, and
Donald, nine. 1t is because Of the
children. whom she wanted to see
again, that the baroness suddenly re-
signed without notice and started back
home.
she is in the early thirties. blue
eyed and smiling, yet earnest and Sc
rious in discoursing on the expert
ment that she took a strange way OF
conducting.
In January of this year the Baron
sss left Sumatra to go to her. chill
dren At Van Ophemert Castle. She
landed in San Francisco with friends.
On March Z. in that city, she sudden
IL disappeared. Detectives searched
in vain. Hints of foul play were
many Clues were followed diligent-
~ and hopefully, but they led no.
where
For the Baroness on March had
zone, In simple garb that would not
bstray her real station in life, to an
aupioyment agency. They sent her
20 the home of R B. Burmeister as
y second maid
was Known ~ @EIla.7
ZION the mOmGnL 6nS INC
H0orbe1 she no longer was the Bar
OnesG She responded to the call OF
Ella When the Burmeisters moved,
CAPT ". S. Overton. United States
army, moving in, ELLA" remained
With the Overtcn family.
She served meals, busted the furni-
kure, helped look after the children
and attended to the petty duties that
she had always employed q stan Of
servants at her castle to do.
She notified the Overtons that any
Day, without notice, she might decide
20 return 20 her home IN Holland to
see her children Thus, with cable
cane one day from Sumstra, urging
that she visit the castle and resume
care Of the youngsters. Ella" an
nounced she was the missing baroness
Just before sailing she said regard
ing her experiences:
Il felt that must do just what
have done so as to be able to bring UP
NY children in the spirit Of federation
md freedom. It would be wonderful
70 bring them up In America hope
my husband can 50 arrange his diplo-
matte duties some day that we may
live for q time in America.
Never. at the castle, have / been