The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-17
A MARCH DAY AT THE SOUP
KITCHENS.

The soup distributed yesterday at the Kitchens in
the management of Mr. DelmOnico and under the
active supervision OF Mr.. Charles Ranhofer, the in
deratigable cher was made Of beef split peas and
other succulent vegetables. About 5000 gallons
were made at the thirteen soup kitchens and were
given to the people, who thrOnged the places Of
relief Bread was also given in plentiful quanti-
ties At nine OF the kitchens, and at the other four
kitchens the supply was too short to allow of any
general distribution Of the STAFF Of life to the
poor, who were SO hungry. At some of the
Kitchens as many as 1000 persons, principally
women and children, received soup and Bread and
weather is so changeabe and there is so little
prospect of immediate warm days that the des-
ttute are compelled to apply for relief perforce,
and consequently MIR. Ranh0Ger's cooks are work
ing early and late to supply the incessant call for
soup. The proverb that ''The poor are always
with ye," seems to be practical fact, for never
before in the memory of our oldest citizens, who
visit the soup houses day alter day. has there
been seen such tremendous Outp0uring OF the
poor for relief No matter how much may be
made, there is no dearth of applicants. Every
boiler full is used up quickly as 1t can be laded
0ut TO the swarmlng applicants who cluster
around.
ELEVENTH PRECINCT KITCHEN
This precinct is bounded by Rivingtcn and Four
teentn streets, avenues and the East River, and,
though not very large in Its territorial extent, Is
very thicky populated, seventyfve per cent OF It's
people being OF German extraction or OF German
birth, and consequently the far greater number OF
those who apply for soup are OF the Ieutonic ma
tiOnalIty. The crowded tenement houses the
east side Of the city and to the river led-
many OF them being five, SIX and seven stories
high-with German artisans laborers, clerks and
mechanics Of the lower sort. During the winter
there has been terrible amount OF distress among
these people, and hundreds of families, who have
hitherto Deen able to support themselves pay their
rent and cIothe their children regularly, have
hnn hln 20 t1o 4 tu1 fap
months, owing to the panic and general dearth Of
employment. They are nearly all Germans therefore
who call Tor tickets at the Eleventh precinct sta
ton house, and Captain Murphy's officers give out
daily $50 to 600 tickets wnich give relief TO nearly
Ond street, near the Union Market The kitchen,
though small, Is We'll attended. and is every day
the scene OF the greatest hustle and excitement.
The TWO COOKS who are stationed here are assisted
by number OF volunteers, who are busily engaged
in cutting up turnlps, carrots, onions and cab
bages. For their services they are amply rewarded
with goOdly supplies OF bread and meat and beef
soup. The place is SO small that 1t has been found
impossible To permit them TO drink on the premises,
and accordingly there regular line kept OF the
women and children, who are served first, and
then they pass IN and out, taking their soup in
cans, kettles and pals, Of all shapes and sizes OF
wool copper and tin 1t is quite noticeable what
"a number of small children, principally little girs,
hardly tall enough to send up their little bare
hands to the cook with their TIN pals and it is de-
cold, and their heads bare OF any covering. Shoes
and stockings, such as they have, make
fearful picture OF ueStltutlOu. Tnen, TO see
their eager eyes watching the cooks their
porrrngers are filed by the big ladies' OF the cooks
IS something to compel well-fed bystander TO
think OF what misery can be ground into child of
tender years by the misfortune or carelessuess OF
their wretched parents. In the Eleventh ward
there is not much Individual wealth as the greater
part OF those in business and who are employed
are persons Of small means. yet Captain Murphy
declares that many Of the citizens in only mid
dling circumstances have come forward nobly
hnd nave made donations OF bread 80 the use or
ane soup Kitchen. Some Others who are In pos
Ing as yet, but the public are regarding their
cioseistedness, and those who give wiinngly are
always remembered win gratitude.