Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-02-18
From The DabEn Nation Of January I'd.
Starvation in Ireland,


who day called upon TO ofliciaie al the
death bed Of several persons dying Of Starvation
the families OF which they we're members compris-
ing, in ALL twenty-three souls. All these abodes OF
wfetchedness are described as being nearly similar
no beds-scarcey any clothing-no food--lhc
children quite naked. In two, grown-up girls had
come home from service, their former employers
being unable TO retain them, and, their scanty
earnings having been exhausted, they were now
perishing with their parents. In one house the
clergyman could not procure light to administer
the rites of religion to dying woman, could a
loan Of candle be obtained IN the neighborhood
The last visit was TO girl ia fever who had thrse
relapses, and is thus described in the Examiner
The father John Holmes, came into the room
where the clergyman engaged in his holy mis-
sion. Holmes began to cry. lie sail chat there
was dimness in his sight, and that lie thought he
would go mad from hunger before night" The
wife, too, came staggering in about The floor from
exhaustion. The Catholic clergyman who went
on the mission Of religious duty was enabled
through the active beneyolence of Mr. John Russell
(merchanD TO give momentary relief in each case
correspondent Of the Freeman's Journal, writ
ing from Mayo, gives fearful picture Of the state
Of that county The scenes described as horri-
Bile as any related OF beleaguered cities Men are
not, unfrequently, it is stated found dead in the
bitches by the wayside. Some are changed by
want as not TO be recognized by their ftends--their
looks wo6sh, and glaring as madmen, without sus.
tenance Of clothing Of any kind they roam about
in search offood until death seals their misery A
man named Byrne, engaged on the public works in
the parish Of Baa, lately died suddenly, and at the
inquest held on his body the following evidence
was given
MARGARET BYRNE, sworn-Is wife Of tie
deceased says that he was at work upon the pub
lie works had no food; was obliged 10 pledge her
cloak for one stone Of meal deceased often said
he would do well il he had food nourishment;
and deponent states, to the best Of her belief her
husband died for want Of food. She has now four
children and herself TO maintain without any sup
port whatever, except that neghbcr allows her TO
90 into a rape-feld aud pull some of it 10 support
nature. Deceased died on the 18th inst.
JAMES BRowN, Esq NJ ID. sworn--Fouud all
the internal organs sound there no food what
ever in the stomach OF any portion Of the alimen-
tary canal; there little thin lGces in the low.
er portion Of the large intestine is of opinion that
deceased came by his death from hamilton or want
OF food.
The verdict of the Jury was as follows James
Byrne came by his death in consequence Of having
no food for some days, and died Of starvation.
In the same parish another inquest had been
held within day or two upon a man who died at
Belcarra. To battle starvation, Of course, the I'M
fortunate had parted with nearly all his cloth
ing, and, accordingly, the Jury brought in a YER
dict-Died of cold and restitution.
OF course, continues the writer il is only in rare
cases that inquests held. lnquests for
deaths that are accounted sudden. Starvation comes
gradually, is long resisted, is often beaten away for
a week, or for month. One day some casual
} charity rescues the victim a chance days work
saves him again; and f you ask. did such and
such person die Of starvation 7 you are answered
why, not exactly Of starvation heard il was
fever, or dysenery, such thing he died of