Pauline Schmidt of Bonne Terre died in the hospital there last Friday after a short illness and the infirmities of age. The body was prepared for burial by Benham Undertaking Service and shipped to Philadelphia in care of nephews who took charge there.
Pauline, as she was known, came to Bonne Terre about forty years ago. She was a Russian-Jew and engaged in the junk business in Bonne Terre for several years before going into the coal business.
Little if anything was known about her family connections or her financial affairs until her death.
She lived alone and only one time in her long years as a resident of Bonne Terre was there any attempt upon the part of anyone to molest her. That was several years ago when it was reported that she had been robbed of a considerable amount of money.
When Pauline Schmidt came to Bonne Terre she wore felt boots, long skirts and heavy clothing. She attended to her own business and was content with others doing the same. In so doing she built up a good sized fortune, which is reported to be in bonds, cash and property. She came to Bonne Terre apparently as a pauper and through privation accumulated much of the worldly goods, evidently for a purpose known only to herself.