The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-27
SISTER or HON. JOHN MoasgssY.
Case Of Destitution and Distrcss--A Brutal
Husband The Congressman Elect Sends Re-
lief 10 his Sister.


A Case Of Destitntion and Distress--s Brutal
Husband The Congressman Elect sends Re
lief 10 his Sister.
from the Chicago Journal, Nov Git
One Of the most distressing cases that we Journal
lists have had to record light this morning
Few OF thousands Of prosperous follow citizens
think for moment Of the amount Of distress at present
prevalent IN the city Seldom DO any them see dis
tress and want illustrated in any more vivid manner
that in the person Of some chance beggar who may
happen to supplcate aims at tho door Of their
well furnished offices or comfortable homes They
poop behind the scenes OF life il were and
sequently know nothing Of what is going there They
choosing well paved well lighted and gaiy reqnentcd
thorougbfares their way and fro The bright side
OF the picture only meets their gaze they know nothing
OF the rough workmanship Of the back. Now and then
descriptions Of wre.ched homes. starving families and
heart raDdng appear in the daily papers and is
through this medium alone that people ordinarily
encompass them on all Sides But ofentimes tho
Journalist fais from want Of power, no matter how
faithful picture of the he witnesses Of the hor
rors which daily under his notice. The happy
his morning paper while sitting al his bountiiuy sup
piled breakfast table He, perhaps is possessed OF
kindly feeling. He shudders at tho details he has just
read, lays the paper TO one side aud in few minutes
either the FOR bis own family the call to the
circles Of business, drive from bis mind recoleo-
ton o, tho wretched case. He may deter
mine to forward donation from h5 banker,
TO charitable institution A liberal snp i per-
haps sent, but his generosity does not and probably
have recently under his notice. But he acts
WELL this desire to help his fellow generally
prompts him this step instead OF Immediately
tributing aims to the family in particular. There
hundreds who do this every day. but comparatively
their munilcence Is wasted II they were abo to
with thor own eyes tho sights which newspaper re-
porters for them and attempt to describe
their bounty would flow direct TO tho poor
toworn mother who herself lies sick upon her risera
bio paet whose children, for want OF parental caro-,
run wild about the streets, thievDs and committing
,Rrl,., ltaoh
in tho grayeyard-how many auch q mother would DO
made glad, her children reclaimed and educated, and
Dor wretched existence made comparative happy BY the
assistance Of which we speak
This morning. culy Of distress came under our
nctce name appeared upon the police docket st the
dent o. the present umo created small
amusement The charge against Morissey was
The dock woman who had evidently been a, ono
tins good loosing--pay, even prettywas led 10 the
front Of tho Justces bench 70 testify Shc stone
she the prisoners VIE, and that last night her
husband went home and beat her horribly Her features
she bad received She weak be hardly able
70 speak Tho prisoner had horrid cash upon his
forehead He was askcd how Il camo there His wife
stated, though unwipgy, that her little boy had
ncted tho wound with whisxey BOTTLE In his endeav-
his mother from the clutches Of the savage
father Tho Justice ordered tho brute 10 be fined $40
and 10 be imprisoned in bridcwoll for thirty days
Our reporter being anxious to learn Of the facts
OF the case prevailed upon policeman 70 show him
locality.
situated all around the Armory building are denss
nests OF shantics having alleys running between them
in ai directions These hus arc occupied by wretcbed
families No more wicked spot exists in Chicago. The
Inhabitants arc mostly given TO drink and immortality,
but there arc exceptions In one OF these snantes,
low, rotten structure, exist the family OF MIR
rssey. The interior is divided into two oompar
mems. Of which the Mnrrisscys occupied.
when our reporter entered. there, lying
upon q bedstead, upon nothing than the Stats.
which werc covered with filthy patchwork coveret,
stpv bca. A
feiid atmosphere pervaded the apartment which was
abou, eight feet wdc nine long and eight In height
The walls despatched with blood dirt and tobacco
Juice and crumbled beneath the touch No other pece
OF furniture than the bedsead excepting rckety chair,
fsled any space in this abode Of destuton No 1re no
food no friends To be sure the little boy who rescued
his mother from her husbands hands present.
He naturally strong healthy child almost reduced
10 a skeleton II was pictsrc OF horror Mrs Norris
sey made suDtantially the following
fourteen years ago she married her present husband
whose name Is John Norris though he "a called Johnny
ris treated her well he Is " wiper by callirg-that
Ia who cleans engines. About six years ago she be-
cai3e blind, owing 10 some untreated affection of
eyes. Morris took to drinking and has since scarcely
contributed 70 the support OF his family, but the
trasy, abused the members shamefuy. 10 April 1854,
no was discharged from joliet Psnitentiary having
served ore ycsr IN that institution for lar.
ccny. Pie has since been In Bridcwell several
times He is a confirmed wife heater, drunkard
supported his blind mother by his scant earnings gained
py carrying in wood and coal She positively that
nowDei John Morrrsey. tho millionaire and the men,
Der u Congress elect for New York city. She wrote
had written to be forwarded 70 her brother II
contained suppcaion for aid and assistance she does
not know whether he will answer 10 not In tho
meantime she and her boy are destitute.
Will charitable aud benevolent citizens stretch
forth the Of mercy 10 the poor, unfortunate blind
woman and Der son.
From the Chicago Post. Nov. 23l
Whatever may be thought Of tho morals Of John Nor
rsey he cannot be denied tho possession Of Of the
virtues which ennoblo the human character He may
be brnser burglar gambler and oven the faithful
representative Of the Firth district Of New York city,
and vet possess " Tho traits which distinguish
man from demon II has been charged mat uu-
feeling niggardinces was among his failings; on the
contrary be has enjoyed reputation for generous
eeray and his purse has ever been open 70 the calls
Of tho needy His private charities not inoonsder-
handsome
knowing these traits Of the honorable graduate OF tho
prize ring tho public were not little surprised At tho
revelations made "Wednesday last concerning the des-
t'ntion Of his unfortunate sister in this city.
The miserable dwelling OF the unhappy woman has
since been visited by a large number OF people, who
have been drawn thlther by sympathy and curiosity
Among the visitors have been large number OF ladies'
done much 70 relieve the actual destuton 70
which the poor woman was reduced Though
shc has not solicited aims, most Of the
TO relieve tho pressing Of who had better
days Tie sum c these contributions though not large,
have Insured her food for herself and child and
Portable clothing OF which she stood much need and
one gentleman. whose Is not known sent load Of
coal which the cold, chilling winds made very acccpta-
Bile. .Hr
Upon reading tho account in tho c setting forth her
relationship and her desituion, Mr. " Aver, Of the
hrm 81 Hait. Aver co Nos. 10 and Is Wells street,
icssapnsd 10 aorrasey, al New York stating The sub,
stance d tho report ibis morning he received the fol-
lowing tccgram:--
Nrw yoRK. Nov. q, 1880.
ToJ, ", AVN, care firm ~ Hale. Aver a Co. -
had ser nnfned Mary Norrseey that havo not seen
for seetnn years. Find " the report In tho Post -
true and advance her hundred and ffty dollars
JOHN MORkissEY.
upon receiving this despatch Mr.. Aver made the no.
cessary Investigations, and Was satisfied Of tho truth OF
her statement Ell
Tho money, or At least portion OF n, wss placed 10
her hands to-day. and she h. for tho present ~ least
beyond tho fear Of actual want II ia her Intention, az
coon AZ the necessary be made 70 rc
turn 20 Troy, where her friends re-de
Every must earnestly wish that the worn Of her
over an6 that the rev years Of NE which
renaln 70 her may DO passed 10 comparative oonfcrs
and happlnesa