"The Kansas City Journal" (Missouri) Monday, May 4, 1903 THE END OF A WASTED LIFE. Woman Often Given "Hours to Leave" Is Gone Permanently. Mrs. Mary SCHAEFER, 60 years old, died yesterday at the city hospital of general debility. No funeral arrangements have yet been made Mrs. SCHAEFER was a well known character in police court. She was a familiar figure on the streets, and there were few persons on South Grand avenue, and habitues of the police station who did not know her. She had been arrested more than 100 times in the past twenty years, the charge invariably being intoxication. Occasionally she was fortunate to escape punishment through the leniency of the police judge, but she served numerous terms in the work house. More than once she had been given a stated number of hours to leave the city, but those who have known her state that the first saloon was as far as she ever got. She was a victim of circumstances, and her downfall dates back thirty years or more. At one time she was prosperous, and the "wolf at the door" was unknown to her. Misfortune came thick and fast and she became a victim of strong drink, and from a high pinnacle in the social set, she gradually descended to the category of a rounder. Few policemen in Kansas City did not know her, and when she appeared in police court she was usually greeted with: "Well, Mary, I see you are back home." A number of her old-time friends called at a local undertaker's yesterday to take a last look at what was left of a wasted life. They merely shook their heads and in a sympathetic voice said: "She had a good heart, but was a victim of circumstances." ================================================= (I have no connection with this person but I'd appreciate knowing if you found this posting helpful.) =================================================