Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1911 — STIGMA REMOVED FROM MAXWELL GIRL’S NAME. [ARTICLE]

STIGMA REMOVED FROM MAXWELL GIRL’S NAME.

Boy Testifys She Did. Not Commit Suicide, but Sacrificed Life la Effort to Save Friend. Later accounts of-the death by burning of Stella Maxwell and Freda Kempka, of Joliet, 111., who died in the Lemont jail, show conclusively that the .Maxwell girl did not voluntarily take her life, but that after the Kempka gfrl Bet fire to her own clothing, the Maxwell girl heroically tried to save her, and her own clothing caught fire. At the coroner’lß inquest a boy named Charles Thomas testified that he was playing near the jail when he saw a flash of light through the jail window. He ran over to the window where he could see plainly and saw a newspaper blazing on the floor of the cell occupied by the two girls. Then the Kempka girl stepped deliberately into the flames and was enveloped by them. The Maxwell girl ran to her and tried to smother out the flames, but her own clothing caught fire. The boy ran for help, calling at the top of his voice. The jailer lived upstairs over the cell room and before he could reach them both were almost dead. The marshal of the town had gone to Joliet to recover the stolen furs, the Kempka girl having told him where they were hidden. He said he had expected to release the girls as soon as he returned. When he came back with the furs he found the girls on stretchers ready to be taken to the hospital. The coroner returned his verdict, calling the Kempka girl’s death suicide while temporarily insane and the Maxwell girl’s death accidental while trying to save her friend. The Maxwell family, who formerly lived in Rensselaer, are anxious to have the girl cleared of suicide. A letter frorp Mrs. Clifford Passon, her sister, states that Stella did not accompany the Kempka girl to the dance but talked to her after going there. Mrs. Passon also says that it has been proven that she had nothing to do with taking the coats. A Joliet paper says that the pathetic and tragic death of the two girls awakened much sympathy on the part of the public and many beautiful floral offerings were sent to the homes of the girls. The Maxwell girl’s funeral took place from the Grace M. E. church at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Maxwell, at Lewiston. Both girls were buried in Oakwood cemetery, and not far apart. The Joliet paper closes a very beautiful article about them in the following language: ■, “The acquaintanceship of the girls had extended over a period of many years. The bonds of affection were strong between them, as was evidenced by the loyal manner in which Freda defended the reputation of her companion to the last, and attempted to take upon herself all the responsibility of the tragedy tljat ended their earthly careers. Such being the case it would seem most fit that they should rest in close proximity.