Years ago I used to perform in a one-woman monologue on the life of Elizabeth Cochrane (Nellie Bly) who in a whirlwind tour broke record in less time than Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's novel Around the World in 80 Days. She was born in Apollo, PA–a journalist who investigated New York's mental hospitals by admitting herself as a deranged patient. She was sponsored by the editor and owner of WORLD NEWS in New York City.
Dear Ones,
Through her book Ten Days in a Mad House she brought instant reform to mental hospitals in New York City as soon as newspaper boys hit the streets with headline news, "EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT!" This was in the dark days when mental institutions were called "snake pits." Any family member could be committed with no psychological testing, just to get rid of the person.
Now America must reform its gun laws. To hell you say–the U.S. doesn't even have gun laws! Gun shooters are often people with mental problems including hot-headed young men obsessed with uncontrollable anger and hatred. We also need to bring back better education and mental institutions instead of draining national coffers for more war.
Helene Smith (Mame),
Enlightened World News (Historic folder with author's photo showing impersonated Nellie Bly is in Pennsylvania Room of Carnegie Library in Oakland section of Pittsburgh.)
