UNKNOWN WOMAN GAVE TIP.
SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF MRS.
IDA DRYSDALE.
Father Died and the Mother Gave
Her Five Children Away.
Grandparents of Miss
"Potter" Live in
This City.
Yesterday Mrs. Effie Stuttle, of 804 Minnesota avenue, with whom Miss Potter is living, was called up by telephone by a woman who refused to give her name, and told that Miss Potter could find her grandparents by calling at 2506 Euclid avenue. Miss Potter lost no time in reaching the Euclid avenue address, and after making herself known received a welcome by her grandmother.
"I was never so happy in all my life," said Miss Potter last night. "I knew I was right when I said I was not the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Potter, and that I remembered being taken to their home when I was a mere baby. My grandmother bears me out in every one of my statements.
"According to the story told me this afternoon by my grandmother, my father died when I was an infant, leaving my mother with five small children. She was poor and could not properly care for us, so she gave us all away. There were three boys and two girls. My sister and two of my brothers are dead, so grandma has been informed, leaving just myself and a brother. She could not tell me where my brother is now, but I guess my mother will know. I must surely see him."
"Will you visit your mother at once on the farm?"
"No, I'll not go there now, as my grandmother says she has been expecting to visit her here in Kansas City for some time, and is liable to arrive any day. Oh, I can hardly wait to see her. Just think, I am 18 years old, and have not seen my mother to know her since I was a baby. If she is not able to take me home with her I shall not burden her, for I am capable of making a living for myself. I would be willing to help support her now, but my grandmother says she has a good home.
"It wasn't because she didn't love us children that she gave us away; it was because she couldn't give us as good a home as she wanted us to have. She has thought me happy because the pole she gave me to have lots of money, but I would rather be with her in a hovel than to live in a mansion without he. I have known all the time that I had a mother somewhere in the world, but it didn't bother me so much when I was a little girl.
"Ever since I have been big enough to think seriously it has worried me a great deal. Many a night when all alone in my bed I have offered up a silent prayer that she would come to me some day."
Miss Potter told her grandmother how she remembered living near a bluff and the trip on the street car taken by her when her mother took her to the Potter home in Kansas City, Kas. Her grandmother told her she was correct, that her mother then lived in a house on the West bluff, just up from the Union depot.
"I recalled a time, as I remembered, when I was bitten by a dog when I was a baby," said Miss Potter, "and grandma said it was right. she said I was not quite 3 years old then."
Miss Potter states that the reason her relatives have kept her in ignorance of her right name was because they thought she was living in luxury and happiness and never suspected she questioned Mr. and Mrs. Potter of not being her father and mother.
Miss Potter received a letter yesterday from Charles Morris, of Oakley, Kas., a cousin of Mrs. Potter, in which he pleads with her to return to the Potter home. He said he remembered her when she was first taken there and how proud Mrs. Potter was of her.
Miss Potter says she has not made any plans for her future and will not until she has seen her mother. She does not want to return to the Potter home to live. Mrs. Stuttle, with whom she is now staying, conducts a kindergarten and training school, and she says that Ella can have a home with her as long as she wants it.
When a reporter called at the Rice home last night the house was in darkness and numerous rings at the doorbell failed to receive a response.
FINDS HER MOTHER. ~ MYSTERY OF MISS "POTTER'S" PARENTAGE IS SOLVED.
September 10, 1907
FINDS HER MOTHER.
MYSTERY OF MISS "POTTER'S"
PARENTAGE IS SOLVED.
MOTHER GAVE CHILDREN AWAY.
LUXURY AND HAPPINESS.
