The Mankato free press., 1923-07-20
MAIDEN ADMITS
Staying MOTHER
Mary Lawando Arrested
Today On Charge
FOUND IN SWAMP
Missing Murderess Captured
After Eight-Days Search;
Tells Story y
[Associated Press Dispatchl

Wausau. Wis, July 1S-Mary La
wando, twenty year old stepdaughter
of Mrs. Anna Lawando will be placed
under arrest today charged with as
sault on Mrs. Lawando. who was
beaten oyer the head with an axe at
her home early in the morning of
July 10, sheriff Arthur Siewert an
nounced today.
Te girl, who was captured in Q
swamp six miles south Of here last
night after thrilling chase, the. cli-
max OF an eight day hunt, Is in
of wanderings.
Girl Could Not Talk
When taken by the sheriff's posse,
last night, the girls condition was
such that she could not talk above a
whisper. She spent partly delirious
night, hospital authorities declared,
but indicated by negative shake OF
her head that she knew nothing Of
the attack on ber stepmother.
Mary Lawando, who was found In
a swamp near here late yesterday
after an eight day search, confessed
to Sheriff Arthur Seiwert early to-
day that she attacked her stepmother
Mrs Anna Lawando on the night of
July 10 beating her over the head
with a club. The girl. according to
the sheriff. refused to make known
the reason for the attack other than
to say that she had trouble" with
Mrs. Lawando
Girl Wanted Food
The capture last night was the
Idirect result OF Mary's desire for
food, 4 was 81, "a fc(I4 Hill 81
who lives III the neieh hBofIi6o u lie
Lawando home. who told the sheriff
she had seen Mary walking along
an old state road, made some sand
wiches and went with the sheriff,
through the falling dusk to the point
where she believed the girl would
be. Calling to her that she had some
food, the child placed the sandwich
es on a stump, while the sheriff and
members of his posse waited in the
brush.
Mary came for the food and the
sheriff rose up as she approached.
The girl, running like deer, fled in
the direction of nearby bog, with
the sheriff and one of his possemen
in close pursuit. Unable to shake
the men, the girl plunged head fore
most into the bog.
Story of Tragedy
III udhIuk COuIOSSlOus
said: MY stepmother and | were
good friends when / worked, but
when did not work and stayed at
home 1t was different and we did
not get along"
Mary was removed from the hos
pital this morning to the county Jail,
where she is being held, pending the
placing of charge against her by
the district attorneY
More of Girls Story
Mary said in her confession, &C:
cording to the sheriff, that she had
driven to several points in the state
since the time she had left her place
of employment here July and the
night of the assault had just re-
turned from Stevens Point.
The sherifrs report Of the con-
fession recites that Mary went into
the yard Of the Lawando home, and
entered the house through a base
ment window. There she picked up a
stick and made her way to the
bedroom Of her mother. In explain.
ing the attack, Sheriff Siewert said
once, and then struck her twice
more. That's all / remember about
striking her."
The girl went to the kitchen, ac-.
cording to the sheriff, where she
procured a can of oil and poured It's
contents over the bed clothing, 20
which she applied match. The
flames frightened her and she sue
ceeded in extinguishing them, after
which she searched the house, taking
scme papers. She was not looking
for money. Then she became
frightened and ran into the woods.
Mary Lawando was arraigned In
municipal court here this afternoon
charged with assault with intent to
kill. Her attorney entered plea Of
not guilty and waived preliminary
examination. The girl is held for
trial at the next term Of the circuit
court on $500 bail.