The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-11-21

A DISTRESSING Casa Short Narrative
Which Hinges Upon the Great CfOH Wdr.-One
of the saddest and most distressing cases, says
the Little Rock Republican, that it has been our
lot to chronicle for some time has been brought
to our notice, and it is oDe that appeals to the
sympathies and charity of the entire community
In the early part of the civil war there lived
about eight miles from this city, on the Hot
Springs road, family consisting OF husband,
wife, and five children. They were thrifty, in
dustrious people-above the average farmers at
that time-and were happy and contented. The
husband George Mannerly, came to this city
when the state seeded, and joined company,
commanded by our fellow-townsmen, Col Parish.
At the battle of Corinth he was wounded, and
died. His wife, as did many other brave, noble
women, during those times labored in the field
to supply her little ones with food. When the
news came to her that the father of her children
was dead sae accepted tie situation with Chris
tian fortiude, determined, il possible, to supply
the wants oil her letherless children Her rela
tons, who were numerous, and some of them
prominent men 10 their section, were all in the
war, and at its close none returned all were
dead About one year after the sad news Of her
husband g death reached her, her eldest child,
girl Of about eleven years, was suddenly taken
sick with a hot burning fever, which lasted dur
ing the night, and ia the morning was totally
children, both girls, were stricken down, AMI in
the same short time deprived of their sight -
The poor afflicted mothers cup Of sorrow
not filled. With her three blind children and
two morealWost as bel pless, deprived of husband,
surrounded by people who were enabled to rem
der her but little assistance she found herself he
coming prey to the same fatal maady At
night the hot, burning faver took possession OF
her brain and her eyesght left her forever. In
this condition-almost worse than death--with
three blind children and two little ones who
could render her no assistance she managed to
keep starvation away, receiving aid from those
who had but little themselves. In year after
her affection her eldest daughter died She con
tnued TO care for her helpless ones, yet suffering
much from sickness and want. But il is said
that the darkest hour OF night is Just before the
the dawn Of day, and 10 these poor afflicted ones
came sel-sacrifcing being, who volunteered 10
accept them as his own, and marry the blind
widow. John Mcltenny was poor and had nut
| little; he was hard working, industrious man
and kept his family quite comfortable. In time
| two children were born about year since one
| OF these was visited with the same Fiction, and
is now sigbtess The mother, almost frantic
| when she learned that again the terrible nalady
was being visited upon them, and when she heard
| that her husband her and her chdren's only
support--was fast losing his e esight, and her
baby, only year old, was going blind, the poor
woman was wild with grief Such are the facts
of this sad case few days since some friends
brought the husband to the city, and placed him
under the care OF Dr. Scott, who has hopes of re-
storing bis eyesght But the family are 10 very
| distitute circumstances.