Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-12-31
TALES OF DESTITUTION, WOE,
AND DEATH.

A1ND LIZA II
The English papers usually contain a
number of accounts Of death from starva-
ton, and OF almost unparalleled suffering
from poverty and want; but our latest pa
pers furnish similar details in greater num-
bers, and of q character that cannot fail to
awaken sympathy for the sufferers, ard
detestation for government that permits
such misery to exist We have abridged
few Of these accounts, chiefly from the
police reports in one paper-omitting many
O: the particulars Of date and locality.
On an investigation touching the death
OF poor woman, named Russell, who died
while the officers were removing her to the
work house, Richard Bond, the relieving
ofhcer, deposed that he visited the deceased,
on application from another female--found
her lying on the floor, complaining of pains
IN her legs and chcst-he asked what he
should do for her, when she replied" Oh
| shall be thankful if you can get me into
the work house." He made out an order
for her admission, and heard no more of
her till the next day, when he was informed
she was dead. Johanna Fahen said, that
she obtained scanty livelihood by carry
ing heavy loads in the Borough -market
The deceased, whom she had known for
some time, did the same. About fort
night ago, the deceased called on witness,
and begged for a shelter, as she had no
place TO go to-. Witness took her in, and
made her as comfortable as her means
would admit. On Saturday week, witness
and the deceased went out at six o'clock in
the morning to look after job, and whilst
walking round the market, the deceased
was suddenly seized with pains in the legs,
and was carried home TO witnesses house..
She contlnuee to get worse until Friday,
when witness saw Mr.. Bond, who gave her
an order to remove the deceased into the
poor-house. The next morning, two Of the
men belonging 10 the work house brough,
cot which runs on two wheels, to con-
vey the deceased into the house The men
placed her inside, and closed the top, and
proceeded to the work house, and on open
ing the lid of the cot, they found she had
died on the road. .,.-.-.
Anne Smelt, poor woman, whose ap-
pearance exhibited the loves, state of pri-
walton and wretchedness, was charged with
robbing a furnished lodging she had occu-
pied in tie house of man named Howes.
The prosecutor SAID the lodging was taken,
about fortnight ago, by IA man who re-
presented himself as the prisoners husband,
and who was accompanied at the time by
the prisoner and little girl FIVE years Of
age. At the end Of The first week the man
adsconded, and not having either seen or
heard of the prisoner and her child for
four or five days, he went up tie their apart
ment, and found them lying upon the bed
in the most wretched condition, with moth
ing TO cover them but the tattered rags they
had on their persons. They appeared to
be in the agones Of starvation, and, on
questioning her, the woman confessed that
she had pledged the blankets and other CO.
vcring off the bed the week before to pro-
cure food for the child. Witness gave
them some victuals, which they devoued
very ravenously, and then was induced to
give the woman into custody. in the hope
of rescuing her from her dreadful situation,
rather than Furnishing her for the robbery.
Sergeant Roberts, who took the prisoner
in charge, said that on doing so she ear
nesty assured him that neither her or the
child tasted n morsel Of food for two days
They were perfect skeletons, and the child
in particular, was in such shocking state,
that its bones might be said to protrude
through its skin. The only article of ap.
parel that either of them had on was thir.
gown and irocl, without ves,ige of
underclothing to protect them from the
severity of the weather. Tho prisoner
stated, that she had been deserted by her
husband about sixteen years ago, and that
for long time past she had been induced
TO live with the man who had now aban-
d ned her. She had no means whatever
of supporting herself, and, being driven TO
the last extremity, was obliged to pledge
The prosecutors property TO save herself
and child from starvation. Three days
ago she had spent the last penny Of the
money in bread, the greater part of which
the child had eaten, and since then not an
atom OF food had passed their lips, with the
exception Of that her landlord had kindly
given them, and but for which they mus,
have persisted. The magistrate ordered
them TO be supplied with proper nourish-
ileIll. anu tiieD sent 10 the WOFk-llUUSe.
An inquest on the body OF q Mr.. Mason,
20 years old, at Cumberwell, disclosed the
fact tina, he died Of serous apoplexy, caused
by tho want of food. His daughter said
her father had formerly been partner in
the firm of Mason and Meyer, lead mer-
chants and reiiners Of aniimony. About
two years ago he was unfortunate, and in
consequence had been reduced 10 great
strait. They had pawned every article Of
wearing apparel, until neither of them bad
more than what they wore. They lodged
in a small back room-boih slept in the
same room-were frequently without food.
He was in very weak state. for want of
food. One day he kept his bed and became
quite insensible. Urged 10 enter the work
house, ne exclaimed, :" For Gods sake
don't remove me Tonight will go to-
morrow" lie was accordingly taken 10