Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-15
NHUMANITY.
Alone in an Open Hut for Eight
Years.
ne Sad Life Of a Demented Read.
field Woman,

he Sad Life Of Demented Read
field Woman.
In the town of Readfeld. twelve miles from
his city, case of human degradation has
ust been unearthed, the like of which has
'een unequaled in this section and which can
mt cause one to shudder to think of. For
light years woman in an insane condition.
las been confined in a hut amid the most
lithy surroundings which can well be
imagined
Ihree weeks ago rumors reached this CITY
4 this woman and her condition. But little
'as thought Of it at the time, but when a
nan arrived in the city yesterday and gave
n account Of what The saw, it was thought
hat the time had come when some
Action should be Taken
n the matter. Accordingly. Yesterday after
Don, City Marshal Morse and a representa-
i've OF the Journal visited the place and in.
orted being found only too true. The house
coupled by the unfortunate woman is located
n the Mt. Vernon road, mile and half
rom Readfield Depot. 1t sets end to the
Dad and is
Low Delapitated shanty,
eemingly ready to tumble to the ground.
there Is no paint on its walls; the shingles
IN its roof and walls are rotten and in many
Instances worn off so that the wind and rain
ave free access the bottom of one of the
loors leading into the room where the woman
vas fonnd was gone entirely; the window
ashes were loose and rickety, while panes
It glass were frequently missing At the
nd from the road is an addition called
he'd, which is already to tumble to pieces
The house is but one story and contains but
wo rooms. On opening the front door lead
nto this hut
Most Distressing sight
net the eve and one which " ill not soon be
orgotten. AT first no human form could be
detected. But on close inspection in one
'orner of the room next the road was found
female. She was curled down on a tick
partially filled with straw and reeking with
he most disgusting filth while over her she
lad drawn quilt also polluted. Otherwise
he was
Perfectly Nude,
ba ia -, lii
Iown. This straw bed and the coverlet were
he only articles in the shape of clothing to
'e discovered in the building.
The surroundings of the room were of an
disgusting character The floor
vas a mass of filth from which nauseous
dor arose, and near by the unfortunate's
read, amid the dirt, lay two whole,
Dried Biscuit.
The walls of the apartment were black as a
hoe, being covered with smoke and unclean-
mess In place, thc piastering had been
orn OFT. A broken down table stood at one
ide, also black with CRIME. mass of grey
lair struggled down her back. On being
md muttered incoherently, not being able to
nswer questions intelligently. Not wishing
o disturb the poor creature further we came
way and left her in her besstly condition.
This woman has remaised in this state re-
ided in this grewsome howell
For Eight Long Years.
I,r
lame is Joel Jose. He lives in rather
mall wood colored farm house, some twenty
ODDS back from the road, and distant from
lis wife's hut like space. From the neigh
,ors some facts were CLEANED He has WIS.,
ted her once a day and carried her food,
which was often
Throw I'm 10 Her.
10 it was said, and otherwise than these visits
he had lived in solitude. During the winter
lie went to the shanty three times daily and
,uit fire. When cold weather prevailed
he would wear some garments, but when it
vas warm would tear every shred of cloth
ny from her body She is 81 years of age.
Joel was soldier in the late war, and while
Ibsent from home the wife began to show
igns of insanity. When the disease mani
ested itself at first, the woman seemed to be
possessed of high temper. Finally, AS her
insanity progressed, she was placed in the
nut. She was once the owner of considera-
lie property, so it is said, but destroyed or
made way with the most of it. The neigh
'ors have been knowing to the shape in which
,irs Jose was. but either through neglect or
ear have not made much talk about it.
There are three children. One, a son four
cen years of age, lives at come. Another
on is in the navy and married daughter
esides in the town of Warren.
Joel Jose Was Interviewed.
He was dressed in blue checked shirt and
veralls, wearing large straw hat. His
PIPER lip bore grey moustache, and he was
boat of medium height. He appeared to
re rather slow spoken and when the subject
f his wife's condition was preached he
eemed loathe TO talk about 1t. He stated that
e was almost peuniless. He was told that
he public would demand that the woman
hould no longer be kept in her present
rutish situation, and that if he was not able
0 provide for her in human manner it was