The Portland daily press., 1871-11-20
A Historians View Of tn Matter.
CIV. g." TO THE RESCUE.
To the Editor Of the Press ::

To the Editor Of the Press
My sympathizers are always with the under
dog in fight, and why should they not be with
airIend when set upon by newspaper cores
pondents, " aen the head and front of his offend
ing is simply saying that Mr.. Morgan froze to
death in an old shanty. Perhaps "frozs" was
| not the best word to use, but if he did not
freeze it was because there was not moisture
| enough in his shrunken frame to chry stalze.
That he persisted by cold, very few doubt.
My impression is that if he had had fire 10
warm him, when be last went to his lonely
| room, he would have been alive now. The
chill in his extremities gradually extended to
| his vitals and the treble circulation stopped en-
tirey lis said he had fuel. but is it strange
that be should be saving of it when he lacked
the means to purchase more?
AS to the definition of the term 'shanty,''
individuals may differ. Judge Goddard seems
to think that his room was very comfortable,
but my recollection of it is that it was rather
open for cold weather. and this is confirmed
by the coroner who, although doubling your
assertion, said to me without asking, that whea
he was called to take charge Of the body and
room the pals Of water within had thin
coating OF ice on them. But the room is still
to De seen by those who choose to investigate
That che old man sometimes went hungry i,
proved by lady of my acquaintance who
lives near the city He often called on her
and spent the day. She tells me that on his
last visit he asked for food Immediately, which
she never knew him to do before
That he was poor is manifest from the sale of
all his effects, furniture, cooking utensils and
wearing apparel, which produced less than
310
On my last call at his room found him sit.
ting on the side of his scanty bed mendng his
neither garments, in his shirt, with bare feet
and legs for the want Of change to put on.
He spoke feelingly of his poverty, his losses
by fire and the unproductiveness of his lnven-
tons and literary labors, which had cost him
LIE time of toll and study, saying with Sigh
u am but beggar." The room, bis figure
and words would open the heart Of miser. l |
am sure my benevolent feelings were fully |
equal to my purse. / said :-"Your Masonic |
friends assist you, do they not?' His reply |
Washes, when no one else will" am
pleased to see by your paper of to-day that |
he afterwards in conversation with YOU bore
emphatic testimony to their generosity.
Hon. f. o. j. Smith, in Yesterdays Aro,,s
expresses doubt of the truth of your state. |
ment That the old man complained OF the an
noyance OF bad boys, who threw snowballs,
pebbles and the Ike at his low windows, but
be may dismiss his doubts, as it was a matter
of newspaper Dotorjety. He spoke tc me of |
it, and also requested his neghbor Blake to |
chase them away, they having broken his win |
dow. 1t is creditable to Mr. Smith that he
gave Mr.. Morgan room, rent free, when none
other offered.
MIR. Smith complains of his associates of the
Bar Tor neslectng Mr.. Morgan in his poverty,
when alive, but says:-"They heard the trum.
pet OF duty sounded by the voice of death, and
'ooh MS cold form into their kindly embrace
anu nonored his memory as one worthy of
.ns'r recognition and love-" Mr.. Smith ia
80 au.nor'ty for what they did and what
lucy neglected to do, as he is a men,hor rs a.,
Dar ASSOCIATION. But on reading tbe;r 49,
respecting his place Of burial on5
honors, L was forcibly reminded of 49,
OF the sister OF Robert Burns, who d;ad ::
poverty, on being told that his friends in n.
lnoursh we're about to erect an expensive mar
ument to his memory. She said Yes bs
wanted bread. and now they are going to give
him stone"
am free to express that did not do nv
"hoie duty to Mr.. Morgan, with whom have
oeen acquainted forty years, and am sorry
nat ne died as he had lived, alone and neg.
ected. 1t causes unpleasant reflections.
WINDHAM, Nov IT, VIC