New-York tribune., 1920-01-27
3OO-POund Masseuse
Deported by U. S. as
Bergdoll Paymaster
Woman Declared to Have
Carried Funds to Wealthy
Philadelphia Slackers
From Mother Is Sent to
Spain

Alice M. Palos. masseuse and woman
of mystery, never again will knead
aching muscles OF Philadelphia's t. b. m.
Madame" has gone away at Uncle
Sans solicitation. She was deported
TO Spain where, she sobbed, she was
born.
Federal agents said Madame" had
never been closer to Spain than seeing
pictures of bull-fghters in the movies
but they were forced to snip her to the
land of toreadors because she claimed
it as her birthplace
"Madame,' they said, was not even
/ Spanish descent, but was a mulatto
from the South
One Romeo Mulcted
Tired business men, numbered among
Madames' patrons at different mas
sage parlors she conducted here, may
lament her departure. But one Phila-
delphian is sghing with relief because
she has faded from a fertile field.
Madame" prior to her deportation,
was the target of an intensive inquiry
by Federal authorities. 1t was sus-
pected she had acted as go between
>.
two draft dodging sons.
1t was reported she carried s2S, 900 to
the Bergdoll slackers while they were
in South America. Grover c. Bergdoll
captured recently, after two years
search, denied he was in hiding iii
South America. Express compay re-
ceipts for $4,000. discovered in safe
deposit box Madame" rented in this
city. convinced investiga tors that the
masseuse actually carried money from
Mrs. Bergdoll to her sons.
Took "Concert Tour
Lending color to reports current in
the summer of 1918 that the Bergdolls
publics. Madame" Palos went on a
mysterious visit to Buenos Ayres.
| Friends announced she was on a con-
cert tour.
This explanation didn't ring true, be-
cause as a singer she was a good mas
seuse. She had a voice that matched
her 300-pound physique.
Returning on a steamer which sailed
from Colon, Panama, madame" was de-
tanned by immigration authorities at
New York early in November, 1918
Their activity was the outcome of the
investigation by army intelligence
agents.
Held at Ellis Island
The woman Historically begged per-
mission to remain in the United States.
The official record at Ellis Island gave
the reason for her deportation as her
being "a person liable to become g pub
lie charge"
Mrs. Palos, for several months prior
to her fateful trip to Central America,
maintained an elabOratcly furnished
suite OF rooms for her business on the
second floor of building on Chestnut
Street
Attention first focused upon her on
April 23, 1912, when she was held in
$500 bail on a charge made by the State
Board of Osteopathic Examiners that
she practiced medicine illegally. The
woman at that time announced her
self as an osteopath. She escaped with
a fine.
Drops Proposed Suit
Two years later, Mrs. Palos was en-
compassed by love adventure, and her
vis-a-vs was a clerk employed by the
brewing company from which Mrs.
Bergdoll and her sons received their
money. This connection with the clerk
also gave impetus to the rumor she
acted messenger for Mrs Bergdoll.
This Romeo wooed "Madame' and
then decided that 300 pound wife was
not a prize package. For injured at
fections "Madame' had her erstwhile
lover agree in writing to pay her 500
600, with first payment of 5000 and
weekly instalments of $25
"Madame's" wavering swain was as
forcctul iinancier as he was a lover