Bloomington (Monroe County, Indiana) Daily Telephone, October 7, 1925, p. 1. Note: The surname is spelled both Mazzola and Mazalla in the item. MISS TO JOIN PARENTS, END OF 12 YEARS OF SEPARATION Marie Mazzola, Age 13, to Arrive Here From October 25th, to Join Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mazalla-Was Left in Old Country As Year-Old Babe-Reunion After Many Difficulties On October 25 Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mazzola, west 11th street, well known Italians who have made Bloomington their home for a decade and in that time have become naturalized citizens with a great pride in their new country, expect to be joined from Italy by their daughter, Marie, age 13, who they have not seen since she was a year-old infant who they were compelled to leave in the "old country" when they sailed for a new home in the United States, the great promised land of prosperity, education and freedom. Little Miss Marie Mazzola, age 13, sails this week from Naples, Italy, to join her parents in Bloomington and the parents here can hardly wait for October 25th, the day set for her arrival. For over ten years Mr. and Mrs. Mazzola have continually planned to get their daughter from Italy to Bloomington and now that their patience is to be rewarded there is great happiness at the Mazzola home. American mothers who tuck their babies in bed each night and watch over them hour by hour during the day perhaps can fully appreciate the days and nights of longing of this Italian mother and her complete happiness now that her family is to be re-united. The story of the long separation of the Mazzola baby from her parents is an interesting one, and illustrates some of the difficulties in the path of foreigners who seek American liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Mazolla came to America in 1913. The week they were to sail their year-old baby, Marie, became sick. The tickets had been bought, the passage to America arranged for the family, and the savings of years had gone into these tickets. It was too late to change the tickets and the parents knew they would not be allowed to land in America with a sick baby-that a sick baby might cause the entire family to be sent back to Italy from Ellis Island at New York, the detention point for immigrants before they are finally admitted into the United States. There was nothing to do but leave little Marie and the Mazzola family sailed trusting the sick baby to the grand-parents, Mr. Mazzola's father and mother, with the understanding that the little one would be sent on at the first opportunity. The Mazzola family came to Bloomington and Mr. Mazzola secured a position with the Nurre Plate Glass company. A good workman, he found prosperity here and the new Mazzola home in Bloomington was a happy one-except from the absence of the baby. Plans were made to get the baby to Bloomington but in 1914 the World war broke and all normal travel was upset. >From 1914 to 1918 the mother in Bloomington prayed for the baby in war-torn Italy-and planned to have the child brought here as soon as the war ended. But with peace other difficulties came. The grand-father died, and it was planned to bring the grand mother and baby to America. The making of these plans took months and the sailing date was delayed from one cause and another. Then the grand-mother married again. Different arrangements had to be made. Again the American immigration rules were changed. It became necessary for Mr. Mazzola to have his citizenship papers. He secured these by night study at the local high school in a class patriotically conducted by Prof. Hale Bradt. The father considered going to Italy after the little girl but was afraid he would be held for military service. A half a dozen times plans were made to have little Marie accompany Italians who were coming to this country but each time some circumstance came up to break the arrangement. But soon as one plan failed Mr. and Mrs. Mazzola started another one. Meantime the years passed. A 5-year old brother brought from Italy when little Marie was left behind grew into a big boy, a junior in the Bloomington high school. Another brother, born in this country, is now 9 years of age and is anxiously awaiting the first sight of the sister he has never seen. The final plan to get little Marie, now aged 13, to Bloomington was made this summer when Indianapolis friends of the Mazzola family determined to make a trip back to Italy. They readily agreed to have the girl return to America with them. A few days ago the Mazzola family received word that the final arrangements had been made and that the party with the daughter as a member would sail from Naples this week. Marie is scheduled to arrive in Bloomington October 25th. Thousands of miles of water and land still separate the little Italian girl and her now American parents-but certainly no accident will mar a journey into which so many years of hope and planning have gone. Constance T. Shotts, Ed.D., CG(SM) CG and Certified Genealogist are Service Marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under license by board certificants after periodic evaluations by the Board and the board name is a trademark registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.