Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-02
npzcrAL rr1LeHAM TO THE p1sPArcu,

OOhDEdIOWhs w O.J 4 1--OVO-
ries about the destitution of Mrs. Parnel1
have been published from time to time dur.
ing the past six months. So many
and so conflicting were the accounts
that people could scarcely bring
themselves TO believe that the stories
were any more than idle gossip.
As fast as these stories appear in print they
are followed by denials from people more or
less competent to express an opinion from
their real or supposed knowledge of facts or
from their intimacy with the family.
In order to get at the actual facts and set
at rest all doubts upon the subject, a DIS
PATCH correspondent to-day called at the
home of Mrs. Parnell. The house is large
structure, and was once comfortable place.
NOT EXACTLY PALACE.
To-day 1t is nothing more than ruin.
The window sills are shaky, and the doors
are breaking with their own weight. The
wind whistles through every part of the
house, and the roof lets in both sun
shine and rain. Mrs. Parnell was found
sitting in a large room. bare Of
furniture except few chairs and a table,
her feet encased in pair of old rubbers and
wrapped in what had once been q dress.
TIE only heat in the room came in from the
sun. Fire there was none, nor even a stove.
Apologizing to the reporter for the absence
of fire o such a cold day, and requesting
him to take the only remaining chair in the
room, Mrs. Parnell resumed her seat and tho
reporter stated the object Of his visit. Mrs.
Parnell was at first reluctant TO enter upon
the story OF her poverty, but the facts being
so patent she finally consented to answer q
few questions.
"How is it that you do not have fire on
such cold day, Madam"
NO FUEL THERE.
''There is no wood nor coal in the house"
''How long have you been without fire.
wood7"
"Some six weeks now"
"And you have bad no fire in the house in
all that time?'
"Only in the kitchen where havea small
fire for a short time each day to prepare my
simple food"
"Of what does your food consist?''
Oatmeal and potatoes principally; some
times 1 have little bread"
"Have you any source of income at pres
ent?"
"None whatever"
Glow do you manage to get along ?" g.
'My wants are very few indeed, and I
can live comfortably on S25 year"
"You received large sum Of money from
the public some time since, Mrs. Parnell.
Would you mind telling what use you made
of it?"
HER EXPLANATION.
"It went to pay pressing debts"
"All of iu?"
every cent, and more would have gone
that way had had il"
''The amount of money which was sent
you has been Variously stated at different
times. Will you please tell me the exact
amount?"
''The total amount which have received
from all sources is 81, ,25O."
1T is stated, Mrs. Parnell, that your pres
ent destitution is due in part to your pro-
pensitY for speculating in stocks. Is this
true?''
"Like many other rumors, it has some
foundation in fact. have, 1t is true,
bought stocks on the market, hoping they
would rise in value and thereby enable me
to pay off my debts"
Sand your speeulstions did not turn out
well?"
'NO, on the contrary, they were very un-
fortunate"
SHE WANTS A PENSION.
at has been stated that you intended to
apply for q pension on account of your
fathers services"
Eyes, hope to get something from the
Government some day, but they are very
slow in Washington"
Thereporter then asked permission to 90
nr.h kka
Nearly every room has been stripped of fur.
niture and carpets, and the house is de-
cidedly desolate looking. In the kitchen
and larder there was a small basket of pota-
toes, a few pounds of oatmeal and som(
crusts of bread. The goods and ehattels in
the entire house would not pay for moving.
Mrs. Parnell states that she is sorry that
The story of her poverty has become public
and regrets that when a public
was made in her behalf, entirely
without her knowledge, President Fitz-
gerald should have deemed it necessary to
in the matter by stating in an in
,erview that she did not require assistance,
and If she did her son would help her.
PARNELL HAS NO MONEY.
Mrs. Parnell states emphatieauv that her
ION has no means of his own; that all the
money given him has been sunk in his en-
leavors to resuscitate Irish industrial enter
orlses; consequently, although he has al
ways been an affectionate and dutiful sou,
The expects no assistance from him. Here
,oiore he has from time to time assisted
her, notably few years ago when he saved
he place from being sold for taxes.
Mrs Parnell wishes it to be distinctly un-
lerstood that she does not appeal for charity
% any one. She is now in her 10th year
md considering her circumstances she is in
EXCELLENT health and spirits. The outlook
or her is dark, and it is difficult indeed to
lee what the future will be unless she ap-
lilies to the county for relief. To-day there
s in the house neither fuel nor money and
he small supply of coarse food would not
'e accepted BY a starving beggar.