Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-16
THE POOR PEOPLE.
Not Many OF Them, But the Few Need Assis-
lance Badly.


world of its size. but there are few who
are very poor and must have assistance.
The subject is not new and has been dis
cussed and is still being discussed, but IN
the meantime these Door people are suffer
ing the keenest privations. n board OF
charities has been suggested, but when the
different churches were preached on the
subject very prudent answer was made:
Oar church is able to take care OF its own
poor and it is reasonable to suppose other
churches will do iikewise Supposing all
that to be so, still the major portion of the
poor is left without any provision what
ever because the poor belong 10 no church.
4 little time back the Uni tartan
church appointed Mr.. j. /. Seward
of S12 North Lawrence to investigate gen
uine cases of distress, under its auspices,
and provide for them as best he could by
soliciting aid from charitable people Mr.
Seward did not confine himself to any
class OF poor people, but Investigated all
cases brought 90 his notice and has done
some good work. He works in onjunc-
ton with Officer Williams and between
them they have doubtless earned the
thanks of many freless and supperess
mother. Officer Williams is able TO secure
the fuel and food that is actually necessary
from Dr. Durand, under whom he is work
ing, and MIR. Seward has been able thus
far to secure the clothing and little extras
that are absolutely essential to existence
The county officers daily so to their Ut
most limit 20 assist the poor, but more Is
necessary. In conversation with Mr.. Sew
ard the following facts and condition OF
things were learned. "a very general
feeling prevails that if person is desti-
tute he or she should become
county charge at once. That
is true IN few instances
and they do become county charges. The
professional poor do not suffer very much,
for they cry out in time to get assistance.
The worst cases of restitution are those
that come about by circumstances. and
these are the Cases am trying TO relieve.
There are not many OF them. but the few
cases that exist are urgent. | find people
very liberal, especially when am known,
and it is only right that strangers should
be suspicious Recently some one repre-
senting himself as engaged in this kind of
work secured considerable clothing from
different families and then sold it TO
second hand dealer. 1t would be well for
people to make sure that they are giving
to the proper persons before giving at all,
and am willing to wait for any donations
until can satisfy anybody that the goods
will be properly distributed. l have no
trouble to get enough clothing for chill
dren in the neighborhood of or 10 years
of age, but / am in sore need of warm
female underclothing and infants clothes.
Ii every church in the city would appoint
some one to work as l am doing the poor
might easily be provided for, and very
decently too.
Upon being asked for few cases Mr..
Seward mentioned the following:
A Mrs. Paige living on Mosely avenue,
has four small children. In ordinary
weather she can manage to get along after
fashion, but at this season of the year
she must have some assistance
Mrs Julia Bank, 406 South Fourth, has
three children, and being unable to pro-
cure any work that she Can do is natur-
ally in most destitute condition.
Near the corner of Ohio and Fifteenth
lives widow with six little children, all
depending upon her for support. 1t re-
quires no stretch of imagination to COM
prehend their condition.
At 231 North Washington lives widow
with twin bibles. She needs clothing very
badly, and the babies must have warmer
clothes or they can not live.
Between myteif and Officer Williams
we keep these cases from freezing and
starving As soon as | get better known
in this work think we can keep them and
few more in tolerable comfort"
In answer to questions Mr.. Seward said
that he felt that in all upward OF eighty
children were dependent upon the exer-
lions of himself and Officer Williams for
the necessaries of lite. Some times we
find poor people who seem to be. migrate
full, but not often 1t does not seem that
the bread of charity, which is always Bit
ter, is very much to DC thankful for. There
are hundreds living to day in comfort who,
before year, either owing to sickness or
circumstances, may find themselves and
loved ones all eating the bread of charity.
What grace could you expect human ma
ture to offer for such meal, or what
thanks would they be expected 60 returnl
Il know man of ability who came
down in the world, as the saying
is but that misfortune was
nothing to him. He went among strang-
ers and worked for living at days work
for himself and family and provided them
with the ordinary comforts of life for
years. Although he could not get ahead
again he never complained, but hoped for
the best. To-day he is a hopeless invalid
and the wolf is at his door. What kind
Of thanks would you have him return for
the bread of charity that keeps his soul
and body together and prolongs his physi-
cal pains. OF course there are few cases
like that, but the majority of the cases
that come under my notice are almost
equally deserving.
Before you go I will tell you of two
more cases. Mrs. Snyder living at 3l9
south Dodge avenue on the West Side, has
a sick husband and four children ranging
from ten years to one year old. They have
not enough in house everything included,
TO sell for dollar. The children sleep Oh
a pile of straw and have one blanket TO
cover them. They have not even a stove.
! have been able to get one and shall take
it to them today.
y little more than a week ago / went
down TO No. SCI South Mosely 70 see one
Of my protege's who informed me that he
did not need any victuals that day and
probably could get along all right for
week or so without any help. He added
by way Of information that lot OF his
comrades were holding a banquet that
evening and that he was sure he would
lie handsomely remembered with what
was left at least. ] called the following
day and could see that something had
gone wrong, but the old veteran had 10
complaint to make. I heard from A neigh
Dor that half loaf OF dry bread had bsen
sent him in a soiIed handkerchief the fol-