Telegram-herald., 1890-11-09
FOR SWEET CHARITY'S SAKE.
An Unknown Person Sends a Dona-
tion for Distressed Family.
Investigation Made Ia the Case of
Joseph Packard = The 'sTsle-eram-
Herald" win Receive subscriptions


Joseph Packard The "Tsle-eram-
Herald" VIII Receive esubscriptions.
Placarded on the front of house at
253 Sibley-st. is a sign which causes
pedestrians to glance nervously about
them, and it nay chance the next time
they pass that way 1t is on the other
side of the road. The sign apprises the
public that dread contagon reigns
within. This Is the home of Joseph
Packard, the ex-Salvstion Army ser
geant, whose distressing story was par
TALLY related IN the columns of the
TELEGRAM HERALD few days ago.
Last night child of 8 years lay
moaning and tossing on his little pill
low. HIS flushed face WAS indicative
of the infection that had fastened itself
upon him. 1t was typhoid fever in its
most malignant form. An anxious
father watched tearfuly over him.
Every now and again he would sooth
the burning brow with the tenderness
of q mother. Tins was the man
who applied to the city physi-
clan for medical attendance. This
was the man who, through actual
poverty, was brayiug the chilling No
vember blasts III straw hat and light
summer suit tor the sake of the loved
one at home. Joseph Packard's case
was even worse than he pictured it.
He is certainly an object upon whom
charity would be a. blessing. The fol-
lowng.letter, containing S2 check, was
received at TINS Office yesterday:
Fremont, Mich, Now.
To the Editor TkLEGRAS-HERALD.
DEAR SIR read your sad piece in
today's issue headed Hard Luck" 1t
is too bad that such misery exists IN
such a land as ours. Please send the
Door fellow s., which l enclose | hope
others who are charitably inclined will
help 10 relieve the misery of this case.
Every respectfully,
mo NAME"
The receipt Of the above led to an IN
vestigation of the case by the TELE-
GRAM-HERALD. Packard was found at
his home last night keeping his lonely
vigil at the side of the SICK bed.
Il
dreamed that any interest would be
taken IN the case, or that IL would fiud
its wav INTO the newspapers" he SAID,
when interrogated. "Still, | am thank
ful for the s.. II is n Godsend, coming
as it does at this opportune moment"
Packard, according to hls story, has
certainly had II hard battle TO fight of
late. For year past he has been en-
ployed by the Valley City Rattan Works
as fireman, at q compensation of IS per
week. This was sufficient. however, to
support his family until the dread hand
of sickness came. Nothing serious was
thought of his wife's illness at first, but
when it developed into consumption, II
was then that the trouble commenced.
He was compelled. through poverty, TO
send her to Canada, where she had rel
atives. Two of their four children ac-
companied her, the other two, aged
and respectively, renamed nome with
him. Besides doing MS daily work he
was obliged to take care of them, which
was no small task. Then he had to
send his wife money each week for her
support. and 1t became quite strain on
him. He never complained, however,
but kept manfully on, and during the
past summer hrs doctor bills
alone have cost him SI0o.
He was compelled to leave the children
81 home during his absence at work.
When one of them was taken SICK. how
ever, nc was forced 70 give up hls pos
ton temporarily, n order 70 take prop
er care ol hin. he was without mon
ev and this led HIM, ss a last re-
sort, 20 apply 20 the city charity. The
next dsy after his visit % tae City Phy-
sician ne called on Poormaster Kruse,
who made Al investlgat The re-
suit was that an order was issued for
the City Physician 60 attend the case.
Medicine was furn shed and the house
plscarded. The Poorm3ster promised
- obtain a nurse for him SO that he
could continue At his work, but he has
a. last accounts failed q do 50. lie
ssvs that ne roceI we'd a letter Yesterday
whIch announced that he mi ght expect
20 hear Of ms wifes death ~ anv sc.
Tnsisa chance for those char tabiy
inclined TO do a noble work. Those
wishlnu 70 sssist h IN can 90 So bv send
ing donations al any descr ptlou - the
TEIFeRaM-HE HEssLD, Walca wi be
.sron1rtIv fufued over O. him.