The Web : $b The Authorized History of the American Protective LeagueHough, Emerson
History
The Web : $b The Authorized History of the American Protective League
Hough, Emerson
American Protective League; Propaganda, German; World War, 1914-1918 -- Secret service -- United States
Here is a “Mrs. B” case. The subject, Miss W——, during the year 1912,
met a Mr. and Mrs. M——, Americans, who were in Paris with their two
children, a boy ten and a girl twelve. Miss W—— told them a story of
having quarreled with her family, who were quite wealthy, and said she
was seeking a position that would bring her to America. She produced
unquestionable references, and returned with the M—— family to the
United States. After remaining in their employ for six months, she took
a course in nursing in B—— Hospital in Indianapolis. She graduated
from this hospital, came to Chicago with letters of introduction from
the faculty, and became engaged here as governess in the home of a
wealthy family on Lake Shore Drive. In April, 1917, she applied to the
Chicago Telephone Company for a position, asking to be sent to France
in their next unit. She told a confusing story in reference to her age,
brought about a suspicion, which was followed by an investigation.
“Mrs. B.” was given the assignment. Miss W—— gave up her position
as governess, took a room on the north side of Chicago near Wilson
Avenue. She was closely shadowed night and day, and was found to be in
continual communication with doctors and nurses. During the time she
was waiting to hear from the Chicago Telephone Company in reference to
the application she had filed, she also filed an application with the
American Red Cross. Here she gave practically the same references, and
told the same story. Investigators from the American Red Cross were
advised by the Department of Justice that they drop their investigation
for the time being. “Mrs. B” proved that this woman was the medium
through which tetanus germs were being delivered to certain doctors and
nurses, who in turn were to spread them through our cantonments and
hospitals.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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