One hundred years ago, there was little in the way of social services available in Grand Forks. So, the city decided to hire a police matron.
Her name was Mrs. M.M. Marshall. And after only a month on the job, she amply showed that Grand Forks needed a person like her, the Herald reported.
She went about her work in a quiet, unassuming manner. And she accomplished much among the girls of the city, according to the newspaper.
In her initial report, Marshall said the first girl rescued was an area girl from India, unable to speak a word of English.
"She came here from the old country to meet her brother, whom she supposed was in Winnipeg. She failed to find him there and was induced by a man to come to Grand Forks. He told her that he knew her brother was here.
ADVERTISEMENT
"After bringing her here and securing what little money she had, he deserted her and she was found wandering on DeMers Avenue hungry and destitute."
Through the assistance of Grand Forks people, a return ticket was secured for her. In Winnipeg, the newspaper said, there were those of her nationality with whom she could find employment.
In this way, the Herald said, Grand Forks was saved many dollars for her support.
The police matron in her first month talked with 27 girls on the street. Some of them were married, she was sorry to report.
"These girls I found loitering on the streets at late hours with seemingly no regard for what they said or did. Some of the girls I have taken home. Some of them more than once during the same evening. Some would give my words attention, some with tears in their eyes would listen. Some with a determined look to defy me or anyone else," she reported.
Some of the girls found more encouragement on the streets than they got from church or Sunday school, she said. Many should have been in school, but through sickness and poverty were kept at home.
"Eleven girls have been taken by myself from the Great Northern Station to the YWCA rooms for lodging until positions could be secured for them."
There seemed to be no law to prevent the meeting of men and women in restaurants where booths were provided for eating or drinking "until all may be under the influence of liquor," the police matron said -- no law to control this "unfortunate situation."
ADVERTISEMENT
The police matron reported she had visited the skating rink some people regarded an "awful place." But she said in justice to Mr. and Mrs. Jack, there is nothing undone by them to make it a quiet and respectable place.
"Society at large has its parties to which these poorer girls cannot go. . . there must be some recreation for them. The question then becomes where they go when they leave the rink."
The police matron finished by reporting it was not only poor girls on the streets. She said she was needed elsewhere. There were boys and girls of prominent families from whom a better example was expected.
In conclusion, Marshall expressed hopes the people of Grand Forks in the summer of 1911 would have a better knowledge of conditions in Grand Forks. With that, she said, her work would grow in importance and moral effect.
