Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-13
&c Mother Jones" Story
L. Related by Friend
To the Editor Of The star:

10 the Editor OF The star:
Recently there have appeared In the
columns Of various papers articles con-
corning the imminent death Of that
well known savior Of the down-trodden,
Mother Jones'" who, should she be
spared to us until this coming May l.,
will have attained her Tooth anniver-
sary.
It has been my happy pleasure to
know Mother" for seven months past,
and have had many pleasant visits
with her, listening all the while TO the
extremely interesting details Of various
incidents in connection with her work
of mercy In behalf Of the "underdog"
who, without her loving assistance,
would have been helpless.
It Is interesting to know that this
lovable woman was born in Cork, Ire
land, coming to this country while very
young. Her maiden name was Mary
Harris, and, as far as she can remem-
Der, the family settled in the State Of
Vermont. Her father had preceded her
10 this country a year or so previous,
taking refuge on an American vessel
just outside the harbor Of Cork, being
forced to flee for his life because OF
some trouble in his section Of the coun-
try between the Irish and the British.
Mother" married man by the name
of Jones'" which name has identified
her for so many years past. Two chill
dren were born, but they did not sur
vive. Mother" has been a widow for
many years, and, in fact, is the only
surviving member Of her family. One
OF her brothers was a Roman Catholic
priest.
All arrangements have been made for
her passing. It is planned that her
body shall lie in state at the Walter
Burgess home on Riggs road, for some
three days, after which church services
viii be held at st. Gabriel's Catholic
Church. Following this, the body Is to
be taken to Mount Olive, Ill, accompa-
MED by loving friends, and buried Just
outside the cemetery there, In a small
plot accommodating six graves. Five Of
these were filled some time ago by her
boys" who died fighting for their
rights, and the sixth space Mother"
has reserved for herself, where she may
rest with those whose cause she cham
pioned.
Today, Mother Jones" is possessed Of
a fine clear memory. Often she recites
in detail the many incidents Of her
given exactly as before. Among the
chief incidents, she relates the troubles
In the West Virginia mountains, the
Colorado mines and the Pennsylvania
mines. One incident in connection with
the latter State Is her putting to rout, at
one time, members Of the Pennsylvania
National Guard, sent to quell some up
rising among the miners. She worked
right in the mines, dressing In mems
clothes and passing under an assumed
name, that her identity be not known.
She did this that she might gain first
hand information as TO conditions, thus
enabling her to know whereof she spoke
She claims to have interviewed all the
Presidents from Mckinley to Coolidge.
She has also transacted business with
Mr.. Hoover, but not while he was the
occupant of the White House. She
speaks with particular feeling toward
Mckinley and Taft, and says that Mr..
Taft was particularly kind and courte-
GUS to her. She was always given kind
treatment by all the Presidents with
whom she came in contact, and says
that In all her experience she never has
had to employ the services Of IN attor-
ney. Through her efforts, the lives of
SO persons were spared from death, in
GLIDING several citizens Of Mexico who
were to have been extradited and shot.
ROLLA G. G. ONYUN.