Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1891 — A TALE OF TWO SISTERS. [ARTICLE]

A TALE OF TWO SISTERS.

ANNA DICKINSON’S STORY IS FLATLY CONTRADICTED. Her Sister Susan Tells Her Side of the story—Anna Scared the Servants and Founded the Walls—Miss Frances Willard’s Opinion. A dispatch from Scranton. Pa., Miss Susan E. Dickinson was in the city in consultation with friends relative to the statements made by her sister to a reporter in New York. Miss Dickinson said that she had telegraphed. Dr. Seward that he would be held in damages for the injury he is doing her sister’s mind, confirming her delusion, and also that friends in West Pittston, and vicinity will testify that she has devoted her life for years to the welfare and interests of Anna. In denying the story,published in New York, Miss Susan Dickinson first refers to the charge that a removal was made to West Pittston clearly to please herself. The true reason of the removal, she says, was because Miss Anna had lost the means to support her mother as. she desired to in Philadelphia. She explains facts relative to their family arrangements and then answers the charge of extravagance, saying that she was her sister’s private secretary and bookkeeper, and was allowed $250 a. month to meet expenses, which included the rental of a SI,OOO a year house. The house was generally full of Anna’s company, and they had to be provided for. It was impossible, therefore, to avoid the standing over of accounts until her return home to settle at times. “I never made an investment of any kind in my life,” continued Miss Susan. “I never bought trinkets for myself, and wasnot in the habit of making gifts to other people. In answer to my sister’s allegation that I have an intense hatred and jealousy for her, I have to say that it has never taken any other form than that of striving to further her interests to the utmost of my ability. Physicians will testify that in the summer of 1877 it was my nursing which saved her life. Dr. Hileman, whom she

abuses, was her own selection, and she praised him to the skies. After a time, on Thursday, Feb. 19. Anna became violently delirious, and her actions were very curious. Among other things she began screaming and pounding on the partition walls The servant was afraid of her, ran out of the house, and was followed by Anna. She then came back and ate her supper. Her story of gleaming white crystals in a cup of coffee is a pure fabrication, which only insanity can account for. Several days before she had been accusing Howe & Hummell, her attorneys, of the vilest treachery in her case against the Republican National Committee, and she asserted that an old friend in Boston was concerned in a plot to ruin her reputation.’* Miss Susan speaks of Miss Anna’s violence toward her and then says that on Feb. 25 it became necessary to deliver her sister to Danville, because she had eaten nothing for three days. She was not roughly'handled and her clothing was not injured, as stated in all the papers, at the time her door was forced open. Her papers have been carefully assorted, and they now await her disposition. Her stage jewels in one package and her private jewels in another are safe in her own bank in Pittston, subject to her order. The attempt to secure money for her was inaugurated by Mrs. Longford and Miss Willard without any action or word on Miss Susan’s part The Pittston Gazette says: “Of course there is not to be found in all this region a single person who for one moment believes the ridiculous story sent out. Miss Susan has been greatly devoted to her sister Anna, and for years she has placed her welfare above all, else, even to the extent of relinquishment of the greater portion of her literary work in order that she might be able to better attend her sister during her late illness. ”

“I really do not know what to make of the report published in regard to tho unjust incarceration of Anna Dickinson, • said Frances E. Willard. “I have no authoritative information upon which to base a hypothesis,” continued Miss Willard, “and I was neveria my life more astonished than when I read the statement. What Ido know is that I have been acquainted with Susan E. Dickinson, Anna’s sister, for the last fifteen years, and that to my knowledge she has been a most generous.Jaithful and also beloved sister. There were the most cordial and loving relations between the two sisters, and I have, times without number, heard Anna speak in the most affectionate way of Susan. Indeed, I have always regarded Susan as the mainstay of the family. Anna was always erratic, but Susan went on in the even tenor of her way, and was always to be depended upon, “I could not believe Susan Dickinson capable of the base conduct attributed to her under any circumstances, but really I do not see what she could hope to gain by such a course. The plan for the fund which we hope to raise is that it shall b» p aced in the hands of trustees. and that only the interest shall be pay! to Anna Dickinson, and that it shall be kept as a permanent fund for the purpose of aiding any woman who has given her life to the public and is no longer able to care for herself. That A. J. Drexel is the treasurer of the committee that is to take charge of the funds is, it seems to me. sufficient guarantee that all will be conducted as it should be. “Here is a letter from Susan E. Dickinson which I received recently,” said Miss Willard. “She tells me of Anna’s removal and says: ‘I could not go with her because, as is so usual in such cases, she turned suddenly and violently against, me, and until I have the assurance that it is better instead of worse for her tosee me I shall wait’ “Miss Susan closed with: ‘How earnestly I thank you for ail you are doing and for all your tributes to Anna in whatyou write I have no adequate words tosay. But I pray God to bless you, and I look forward to the day when you. and Anna shall take loving, counsel together.’ ”