The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-02-18
From the Pittsburgh Leader, Feb. 13th.]
starved 40 Death.

Old Shaul-Re has but Little FOOD for
Days-I0o Proud 10 Tell His Circum- !
stdnceS-The Body Taken A,0dy By Eis |
Itother-His Wife said to be Heiress 10 a
Considerable Sum Of Money.
This morning our attention was called to
a sad case. which woald scarcely be thought
possible to occur in a civilized community
like this, but which, nevertheless, seems to
be to true. 1t is the death of young man
of but twenty-five years of age. named Will
liam Young, under circumstances which 60
to show that death was caused actually by
starvation and exposure. The young man
died early on Friday morning at Franks
town, on the Connellsyille Railroad, in the
Twenty third Ward.
This morning Leader reporter proceeded
to Frankstown and their obtained from the
people residing in the neghborhood, the
information contained below in relation to
this sad case:
About four months ago, Young, who lived
in Holidaysburg, came to this city, accom-
panied by his wife, young woman Of about
the same age as himself, both Of whom
were in rather poor circumstances. lie pro-
cured employment at the Pittsburgh Bolt
Compapy's Works at Fraukstown, as helper
to pudler-the man for whom he was work
been the rule of the Bolt Company to pay
their hands but once month. About four
weeks since the hands demanded payment
semi-monthly, and this being refused they
struck" Young was thrown our of en-
pley ment, but afterwards was employed as
helper 10 a man named Heckley, one Of the
new hands, Williams, who hires his helper,
and not receiving his money, was unable to
pay Young, and the latter was left in very
destitute circumstances.
Young and his wife occupied the basement
(but one room) Of little one story shanty
ON the Fraukstown road, near the works,
occupied by one J. Popp, shoemaker, who
rented them the cellar. Last Saturday
a week Young was taken i'll.
He was so poor that he unable to buy
bed, and he and his wife had to sleep on
an Old straw tick. laid Oh the floor. This
basement was entirely under ground, and
was very damp and cold. Young and his
wife had no bed clothes, and the neighbors
Informed our reporter that they slept every
night with their personal clothing on, aud
up till the night of Young's death, they had
no covering, but an old shawl.
There was fireplace il the room, but at
times the fire got very low. and rendered
very little heat. Young used to come home
from his work sweating. and then lay down
in the cold basement.
Then IN the way of necessaries Of life they
were almost entirely destitute. In fact, Mrs.
Young told a neighbor that her husband had
often gone to his work with but crust of
bread to eat before starting, and that often
they were without any thing for whole day.
1t is said that Young and his wife were of
sort Of proud disposition, and never allowed
the neigh bors, if possible. TO know their real
circumstances. 1t is alleged that during
Young's sickness, his wife sent TO grocery
Tor something to eat. She got the groceries,
but bsiog unable to pay for them the grocer
seized Gu the goods and took them back. 1t
is said that this same person also took back
semo clothing from Mrs. Young which she
had got at his establishment, but for which
she was unable to pay at the time. We
give these statements merely as the rumors
current.
Young lay iii in the basement for six days,
every day growing worse. The neigh bors,
ii seems, were not acquainted of the extIeme
poverty that existed ID that basement, and
there William Young. who had just reached
his maturity, was allowed to give up his
young life, from want simply Of proper
uourishment and covering from the cold.
Young died on Friday morning at two
O'Clock, and it was eight hours afterward
quaiued with the fact. Mrs. Young when
questioned afterwards, said she believed that
her husband died from starvation and expos
sure. Yet these two persons, knowing what
was to come, were both too proud TO ask as
sistance from the neighbors.
When it became known that Young was
dead. the nsighb bOrs telegraphed the fact to
his mother, living in Hollidaysburg. The
mother and brother Of the deceased arrived
on Saturday, had the body coffined. and
then accompanied by the wife, started with
the body to Holidaysburg. The mother
stated when she left that it was her inten-
ton to have post nsOrtem examination
upon the body upon their arrival at HoIli-
daysburg, and learn if her son actually died
from starvation aud exposure. The mother
appears to be in rather good circumstances.
The wife of the unfortunate young man
was formerly a resident Of Allegheny City
and her maiden name Kate Ann Clark
She has uncle now living in Allegheny
She told her neghbors in Frankstown some
time since that she had 900 coming to
her from an estate which she soon expected
to get. She has been married to Young
about fifteen months, and it is said by the
neighbors that they did not live very hap
PLY together OF late, and that they frequent
ly had little gusrres.
Last New Years. the husband. after get
ting his pay. started oD visit to his mother
at Hoilidaysburg. without telling his wife.
The latter, thinking he had left her. sued
him for desertion. The matter was explain.
ed. and they went to together again to live. |
1t is believed. however. that she rendered all
the assistance she could to her husband du- |
ring his Illness. except that her proud dispo- |
sition would not allow her to acquaint the |
neiOh bors of their sad cose
Taking it all in all. this is ono Of the sad |
dest cases that We have been called upon yet |
to record. A man dyiag in a Christian |
community from starvation and exposure is /
indeed astounding. 1t is very singular that |
the coroner was not notified of the matter, !
and an investigation had into the matter.
MORE PARTICULARS OF THE RAILROAD |
DIS AsIER-A cor res nOndent of lie n V |