"It is sixteen years since I have talked to a newspaper
reporter," said Mrs. Mary Noonan McDonald. "Again and
again have I been besought to tell my story, but long ago
I determined to remain silent until after the death of Mr.
McDonald. For the sake of my children's relations with
their father I held my peace, and now, for the sake of my
children's name, I have decided to give my story to the
world.
"The lies that have been printed about me for the last
twenty years are but a feeble testimonial of the tremendous
power wielded by Mr. McDonald and his friends. None knows
better than I how he made and unmade public officials, set
judges on the bench, determined public politics in the old
days, and fought his enemies with a ruthlessness that made
him feared far and wide. When I became his enemy, I, too,
began to feel his power, as it was manifested in the public
press.
"The lies have multiplied day by day, but I have so far
refused to answer them. Only during the last week the
papers have said that Dora McDonald, who ruined Mike
McDonald's life, and I, met at the bedside of the dying
man. We have never met. The only time I ever saw her was
in a Providence (R. I.) hotel, ten years ago, where I was
stopping while at a convention of charities. We sat at the
same table, and I heard her say to a girl with her that I
looked like Guy's mother. Then I knew who she was. I have
not seen her since, not even at the grave today, though I
was told she was there."
Guy McDonald interposed to explain that his stepmother had not been
allowed to attend the funeral service at the church, being taken
directly to the cemetery.