Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-21


doors few open. eager faces welcomed ~,
and eager hands grasped the precious NOR
sci. Children were walked from their cheer
less sleep, and received the proffered bread
with glistening eyes. OH how they seemed
TO enjoy the little we were able 10 divide
with them, and with what more com}orta-
bic feelings they gathered the few rags with
which they were covered around them, and
sought sleep once more. Mothers in count
less numbers, implored Gods blessings upon
those through whose kindness we were able
TO dispense the welcome food.
Every one Of these eight foot square
rooms, with single exception, contained
from three TO five inmates. They cooked,
ate and slept there. Let us describe the
last one we visited. The husband sat upon
box, in front Of what We supposed was a
fire. We saw none, as he was crouched over
the furnace in such manner as to hide II
from view. The wife, fine, comely look
ing woman, clad In thin summer dress,
babe us enter. We did so, and will it be be-
lieved, that in that desolate room, the habi-
tation Of a man and wife, the only furniture
was the box upon which the husband sat,
and the frame without the seat Of hickory
withe chair.
No sign of bed, table, cooking utensils,
food, or clothing was visible. Bleak, grimy
walls and that chair frame and little box
were these poor creatures only possessions.
A child had died in Spaford street, near
Shipper. Mr. Segenfried had learned Of il
in the afternoon, and informed us that the
mother had not only neither food nor fuel,
but was utterly destitute Of everything ne
cessary for the childs burial. These were
provided by him. We visited the house,
reaching Il BY dark alley and an uncer-
tain fight of steps. Entering the room, we
saw at glance where the dead child lay.
Removing the clothing from its little face,
| it was plainly and painfully evident that
starvation, and disease, had dene the work.
! We learned from the sister of the child's
mother that they were wholly without food,
and vet on the table at the foot of the corpse
a plate of smoking tobacco and half dozen
pipes were placed and in that little room,
not more than ten feet square, no less than
fourteen men and women were crowded,
waking the dead child.
In another hoyel near by we found a
woman with two pretty little girls, sleeping
upon scanfy pile Of dirty straw in the
corner. The mother informed us that she
paid twenty-five cents per night for the
privilege Of sleeping there. The children
were wholly without cover, and the room
was as cold as it was desolate-looking in
other particulars. Accompanied by three
police, we descended into a cellar on Bedford
street, where dodgers are taken at FIVE cents
per night. A soldier who had lost both
legg in the war had taken quarters there for
the night, while number Of vicious looking
men were lying around loose.
In the corner next the cellar door, covered
with few rags, three children were lying.
Wegavethem bread, which they ate greedily.
The mother, who seemed to have temporary
charge of the place, stood guard over them.
We asked her where she slept as there was
not the shadow Of a bed in the den. Down
there by the children" said she, "jist there,
sir, on them boards" Where do you sleep ?
we inquired of another woman who stood
near. ooh, sir,n said she, / sleep with
her." pointing to the mother Of the children.
In this bed as many as thirty-six men,
women and children have been quartered at
one time. The proprietress was lying
asleep upen the floor at the children's feet.