Mary Emma Garrett was the daughter of a Civil War soldier, Stephen Garrett. From the biennial report of 1868 we know that Stephen joined up in Pike County, Illinois in a Missouri regiment (U.S.) and fought at Vicksburg. He was killed in Vicksburg on May 16 1862, long before the epic battle for that river city began.
His death widowed Sarah Gamble Garrett and "half" orphaned three little girls: Mary Emma (7), Jennie (4) and Minerva (1). In 1868 Mrs. Garrett finally had the assistance she desperately needed -- her three girls were accepted into the Soldiers' Orphan Home in Normal, Illinois. Mrs. Garrett moved from Springfield to Normal, probably to be near her daughters, and lived in a home she may have owned in Normal. Her home, in comparison to her neighbors was valued at just $700. Her nearest neighbors' homes were valued at $11,600 and $6000. We can assume she was living in little more than the tiniest hut or simple cottage.
In the 1870s children were kept at the Home only until age 14. Mary was therefore released from the school sometime in 1870, to the care of her mother. Apparently her mother took in a boarder in her home, in an attempt to "make ends meet," and Sarah Garrett was sadly deceived by this person.
On March 22, 1872 Emma disappeared from her home, as did all her clothing. Elijah Hudson, the boarder in her mother's home, was arrested at the Chicago and Alton station on charges of seducing Emma while living in the home. Elijah Hudson was a widowed man, a former hotel clerk, described as either a man past middle age or a "young" man. With his smooth and practiced ways, he had beguiled the young girl and "ruined" her. The Pantagraph speculated that Hudson had sent Emma away to remove her from the influence of her mother and increase his own control over her. From his jail cell, Hudson boasted that even if they could find Mary, he had "sufficient influence over her to prevent her ever testifying against him."
When Sheriff Ferre was forced to release Hudson, he was immediately rearrested on charges in a civil suit for the seduction of Emma. Emma's description was released and a desperate plea for information was made by her mother through her attorney, Thomas S. Underhill. Emma was tall and slender, had a scar on the front of her neck, with dark hair and a fair complexion. She was dressed in a short red and black plaid dress and carried a "waterproof circular with a red flannel lining," black gaiters, and a black hat with a red velvet front. The circular must have been a type of rain cape, see clipped catalog photo.
Emma quietly returned home April 3, 1872 and nothing further was heard about this scandalous event -- apparently Emma would not testify against her lover!
Emma may have been the same woman who moved to Lexington, where she was a seamstress in 1880 and then returned to Normal, where she lived in the home of Mr. Augustine in 1886 and offered her services as a seamstress. No further record could found of her.