Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-05
Baltimore Correspondence.

iSuferings of the Poor-Sad Case of Destitu-
tion-Highway Robbery--Bold Mcendiarism.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 8, 1855.
The severe weather the last few days has been
most severely felt by the poor in this city. From
persons actively engaged IN the benevolent efforts
making for the relief Of the destitute learn that
there is an immense amount Of suffering among the
families Of hitherto prosperous mechanics. Within
a day or two number Of the most. touching cases
Of want and privation have been brought to light
among this class and there is too much reason
to fear that there are many more such. In most
instances these cases have been discovered by the
neighbors or friends Of the sufferers, whose honest
pride and independence caused them to shrink
from making their wants known, preferring to suf-
fer hunger and cold rather than the deep humilia-
ton of asking charity. Many Of these silent suf-
ferers have parted piece by piece with their furn-
ture ond clothing which more prosperous days
enabled them to purchase, and still find themselves
as far from relief as ever.
For days the weary fathers of these destitute
families have traversed the city in all directions,
searching for work, but meeting everywhere the
same discouraging reply, return to their cherries
homes to minge their despair with their poor wives
whose industry in plying the needle for the last
twenty -four hours hasprobably been rewarded witha
shilling or tpo by charitable dealer in ready
made clothing What words can adequately pic
ture the anguish Of such fathers and mothers; and
yet there are, at the lowest calculation, hundreds
such in Baltimore this very day! Think of them,
you that have comfortable homes, and daily sit
down to bountiful tables, and let conscience, hui
manity, and Christianity, prompt you do what you
can for their relief.
One of the cases Of restitution above referred to-
is exceedingly distressing. An aged man, now
blind and very infrm, who was once and for many
years, one of the most prosperous tradesmen in
the city, universally respected and esteemed by all
who knew him-who once was counted wealthy
was discovered living in most pitiable condition
in miserable abode in the western section of the
city. His. aged wife, by dint of hard labor, was
scarcely able to supply the bare necessares Of life,
and yet hard hearted landlord was about to eject
them from their only shelter AT this critical juno
tsre their case was discovered, and charitable
hearts stepped in and brought relief to the aged
sufferers
A German farmer, named Vanhorst, belonging
to Illinois, was waylaid by two genteel looking
scoundrels few nights since, whilst on his way
home from the theatre, and robbed Of a port mo-
maize containing $40. The miscreants accosted the
stranger in friendly way, and walked with him
some distance, until they reached favorable posi-
ton, when one knocked him down and the other
secured his money Fortunately they did not OBJ
serve the money belt which their victim had round
his waist containing 500
A bold attempt was made to burn an unoccupied
dwelling house. on Calvert street, yesterday after
noon. A man was observed lurking about the
neighborhood all the morning by one Of the neigh
bors and in the afternoon was seen to run from
the house, which about the same time was discov-
cred to be on fire. Chase was Immediately given
to the incendary, but by artful lodging, he man.
aged to elude his pursucrs. A prompt discovery
of the mischief prevented what might have proved
most destructive fire. AmERIcUs.