The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-02-06 00:00:00

A POVERTY STRICKEN HOME.

On Tuesday William Southam, 41, a wretched-
looking man, was charged at Lambeth Police-court
witAi beggtu st Denmarlt-hill. Joseph Bosley, an
officer of the Mendicity Society, was on duty on the
previous night about half-past nine o'clock at Den-
mark-hill, when he saw the prisoner standing on the
kerb with a child, aged four years and a half, and
soliciting alms. Ile told the prisoner he had better
take the child home, as it was shivering with cold. The
prisoner told him to mind his own business, but upon
witness showing him his authority as a constable he
made no further remark. As he refused to go away,
witness took him to the Camberwell Police-station.
Sergeant Dean told witness to take the child to
the address given by the prisoner-17, Murray's-
buildings, Vauxhall. The child was so cold and
weak that it could scarcely stand. Witness found the
prisoner's wife, as he had said, ill and suffering from
bronchitis. Clinging to her were three children, aged
respectively eight and-a-half, seven, and two years.
They had but scanty clothing, and were crying out
for bread. lie told her the position her husband was
in, and she said, "Oh, dear, I don't know what to do.
I was waiting for him to bring a few pence to get
some bread with." He asked if he should go to the
relieving officer and represent her case, but she
begged he would not do that, as they would have to
go into the workhouse. He at once went out and
purchased some bread and butter, and the children
eagerly took it. There was just a little fire in the
grate, but there was scarcely an article in the room;
the bedding comprising an old mattress and a few
rags for covering. She informed witness further that
she had sometimes gone out with the children singing
in the streets to get a few pence. Both the pm--
toner and his wife appeared to be sober persons,
and the children well-behaved. Mr. Biron said
Bosley had acted in a highly praiseworthy manner.
Bosley said the prisoner had formerly kept a small
haberdasher's shop in Chester-street, Kennington-
lane, but owing to the infirmity of his wife and other
circumstances, he failed in business. He then took a
perambulator about the streets, and tried so get a
livinz by selling haberdashery. The wheels of the
vehicle had perished, and this source was stopped.
The body of the perambulator was still in prisoner's
possession, but it wanted new whe,els. Mr. Biron said
he would see at once what could be done, and directed
Bosley to take the matter in hand, and to call the
attention of the relieving officer to the case. He
ordered the man to have ss. for immediate wants, and a
further sum of ss. to be expended in getting him a
pedlar's certificate. New wheels would be put to the
perambulator, and with a little stock the prisoner
would be able, perhaps, to get a living for himself and
family. He remanded the prisoner, but allowed him
out on bail. Bosley at once proceeded to carry out
the directions of the magistrate, and the prisoner,
who appeared to be deeply grateful, was soon on his
way home, provided by Mr. Baldock, the relieving
officer, with plenty of bread and meat for his family.