The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-09
THE CAUSES OF POVERTY.
The People Who Most Frequently Apply for
Charity Aid-Unworthy Street Beggars.

Ia an interview regarding the work of the
sharity or eanization, Mrs. Parker, one of
The most active members of the society. was
ssked by d Journal reporter, at the headquarters
IN p1s-~- -oo.,,
-.yiaourn Ghurcn, -vnas 49, causes
eDe need for the aid given by the societya"
The reasons for the need of assistance was
the reply, 'are multiform A large per cent is
from improvident management, much from the
use Of intoxicants, some from sickness some
from lack of work and ignorance. Aid is asked
from all parts of the city, but mostly from the
northwest and southwest portions, and much the
larger part of the help extended is from the mid
die of November to the 1st of April This la.
winter there was much restitution from ls,.,, ~
work. ~cA u
' 70 you help all who applyaa vas astad
Not by any means. L W, did we should be
OanAIups - NJ . .a. hen an application is
made for help. II ne demand is urgent. some
glignt donation + generally given at once, but
not IN mosey. visitor of the society then
looks MO the case and reports upon the WORTH
ness of the applicant The case is then reported
at the next meeting and acted upon. 1! I'M
worthy of aid the case is reported to the socie-
ties and the township trustees, and further helm is
not furnished. Occasionally we find we have
been helping some one who is COM
paratively well TODD, and any num-
time. There was, several years ago, family
named La Fountain, who lived east of Woodruff
Place. There were several children who were
kept moving about with baskets, asking for cold
victuals and money, and telling pitiful story.
1t turned out that there were three men in the
family, owning two teams and wagons, who had
work at hauling neatly all the time. Such cases
are not common, but nearly all the beggarS are
unworthy. One of the more fragrant cases now
known is that of two small boys, who
have a basket, and sell paper flowers and beg.
Their name is Anderson The father and
mother are both able-bod1ed. and could work if
they would, but are too trifing. She makes the
flowers, and sends out the boys, and botn get
drunk from the proceeds. There are other
special cases to which attention should be d.
rected One is an Italian woman, carrying a
baby, accompanied by boy of four or five years,
who has q printed paper covered with glass,
claiming she cannot speak English She rides
the street cars, and does prosperous bust
ness generally, and apparently has plenty of
money. There is also little girl, about twelve
years old, giving the name of Vic johnson,
claiming her mother is a widow with
five or six children. She has a father
and brother large enough to work. and the
father has work nearly all the time. Giving to
her is simply encouraging her in the ways of the
street. A woman, who has been going about for
more than three years, gives her name cs Anna
Gavin or Anna Stevenson. She generally says
she lives on the corner of West and McCarty
streets. She used TO say her husband was
with five children. Lately she says he has died
within the last few weeks. Modest in her de-
mands, and pleasing, and apparently honest in
her appearance she reaps harvest The agents
of the society have tried for long time to locate
her, but without success. Another unworthy of
charity Is Anna Porter, a middle-aged, neatly
dressed woman. who tells about sick son who
lives IN the country. She cites different ladies'
names as having helped her, and as being friends.
She says Mrs. P. B. Merritt is friend of hers,
and is who has helped her, and also other
people She wants to raise enough money to get
90 the son. She tells very plausible story, and
is one of the worst in the business"
rs there much real destitutiona'
II is something like this: A gentleman. not long
since, in speaking to Rev. r. V. Hunter, of the
South Side society, told him he had discovered
most appalling case of poverty and restitution
On Virginia avenue, not very far from the track
crossing He went on at some length to describe
the horrible features of the case, and wanted
Mr.. Hunters help in the matter. 1t turned out
10 be a case which had been on the books for a
long time, and the good mans credulity had
been worked on to secure small loan"
What class are you called upon to help mostW
'"The largest number of applicants are in fam
lilies with both parents living, who, by sickness
or other unavoidable cause have become strand
ed next, widows left with children, and then de-
serted wives and single women. In these classes
are ninetenths of all the applications. The rest
Bre about evenly divided among dozen other
slasses."