Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-09
NEW LIFE ON THE CANAL.
Boatmen Getting Ready for tho Revival OF
Business,

Boatmen Getting Ready for the Revival OF
Business.
SCENES AROUND aEoaaETowN-Two YEARS or
EXTREME HARDSHIP FOR CANAL MEN AND THEIR
FAMHIEs-rHE WORK OF EXPERIMENTATION
FOR AID STILL COMING IN.
THHE BLOWING OF THE FOG HORN
u along the Chesapeake and Ohio canal
ABOUT Georgetown is one evidence of the belief
among the boatmen that the canal will soon
once more be in nayigable condition. 1t has
been long time since the sound of the horns
has been heard. Since the food nearly two wears
ago the boatmen and their wives and children
have not been m the humor to blow horns even
for dinner. The truth is that some DAYS some
Of them had no dinner to blow for. Many of
them have been reduced to the greatest destitu-
ton.
The night Of May 81 and the morning of
June 1, two years ago. was the time that the
continued downfall OF rain caused the streams
to swell to such proportions that the canal was
flooded and its banks washed away for miles
and miles. Many persons were rendered home
less and left out in the wet weather to suffer
until the good people along the line between
here and Cumberland came to their rescue.
LIFE on THE CANAL. BOATS
Many of the men owned their own bo.ts
horses and mules and had their happy families
living on the boats, where they could be to-
gether all the time. 1t was not an unusual
thing TO see the children dancing, jumping
rope and engaging In other amusements ON the
decks, while the head Of the family. a child or
q hired man drove the mules along the tow
path. Sometimes smaller children could be
seen tied on deck to insure them against soci-
dental precipitation into the treacherous waters
aoout the locks and waste wers or at other
points where they would possibly be drowned
before they could be rescued. Living on the
boats did not deprive them of all the pleasures
enjoyed by persons living on the land. Some
OF them had their little gardens on deck and
raised flowers, some kept dogs and birds. while
occasionally one would keep monkey Is sort
OF q show.
FUN AT NIGHT.
On almost every one Of these slowly moving
boats there was at least one musical ins.ru-
ment, even If 1t were only mouth organ.
and when several boats put up together
LOT the night combination OF the instruments
wouid form band OF music by which the lads
and lassies would do the light fantastic. While
taken all together the life on the canal seemed
a hard one, the canal men no doubt enjoyed
themselves as well. if not better, than many
folks In the city. Here and there along the
OF combination Of candy, grocery and cigar
store, as well as places for the sale of patent
medicines and liquid refreshments.
Inc Captains Of most Of these boats were
lnd-hearted men and seldom refused tired
pedestrian who wanted to ride on q boat.
THE GREAT FLOOD.
The great food caused much suffering among
them. In some instances the contents of the
boats were washed away, but the boats were
left either on the bed of the canal or near the
towpath. The families Of many of these hard
working people who had lost nearly all their
clothing and bedding were obliged to sleep in
the wet boats on straw and hay which they col
iected until they could do better. In this way
many strong and hearty persons became sick
and their health was permanently impaired.
During the summer and winter months fol-
lowing the flood the many families all along the
line had to depend entirely upon charity.
When the cold weather came diphtheria and
pneumonia visited many of these cold places of
shelter and death ended the sufferings Of quite
a number, among them being many children.
RAISING FUNDS.
So far a. those within the limits of the Dis.
trict were concerned q relief committee was
organized soon after the damage was done.
Among those foremost in the work were Mr..
E. Kurtz johnson, Mr.. Archibald Greenlees
and Mr.. John I. Mitchell. Thousands Of dol
.afs III casn "ere contributed, as well as many
loads OF food, clothing and cooking utensils.
Al! who came were provided with something
either money, food or raiment.
Many families were sent to their homes
along the line Of the canal and in different
parts Of the country, while others we're given
enough to start housekeeping anew and were
provided with situations where they could
earn enough to support their families
1t was but a short time after the appeal for
aid was made that donations came in such
Las khak
found where the people could make their head
quarters.
DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES.
Lieut.. Hollenberger consented to give the
committee the use of the police station on High
street, and this offer was accepted. Policeman
Frank Burrows was detailed to take charge of
the receipt and distribution of the articles con-
tributed and to him was assigned the duty of
selecting the poor and needy who had been
rendered homeless and poverty stricken by the
mood ms ofncer was acquainted with every
body and every place along the canal. For
several months he devoted his whole time to
the relief work. Every place from the Rock
creek outlet to point above the District line
was visited by the officer. who procured the
names and the number In each family who
were in need. Day after day food and cloth
ing came in by the wholesale and the police
station for a long time looked like a second.
hand clothing store, although many of the gar
Mel.s recelVeu nau never Deen worn and were
costly ones.
The persons who probably made the largest
contributions were Messrs. Woodward & 10th
rop, the dry goods dealers, and Charles Roller.
the baker, the latter having sent many loads
OF bread and many barrels Of biscuits.
RELIEF STILL NEEDED
Although 1t has now been nearly two years
since the Aood applications are still made for
aid, and Officer Burrows thinks they will con.
time until the canal is opened for business
again.
Among the several hundred peryons who
have boon aided during the many months not
. single colored person appeared.
The work Of distributing the funds and goods
was difficult task on account OF the number
Of impostors who appeared and claimed that
they were canal sufferers.
One man who called and was thought TO be a
sufferer was well provided for by the officer.
but he afterward proved to be an iInpostor
He was a good-looking man, and from, the
the manner in which he plead with the oficer.
the latter thought he was really in need snd
furnished him aauy necsasariss
The suit OF clothes given him was Q black
good underwear to match. Even q neckfe 70
9iysn him. and then his nuS-iookine ME 70
decked Oh with silk hat.
and all and got eloriously drunk. Thsn be was
axrssted eud It was but = short nhf1o before he
was wearing . suit OF clothes farnishsd by ths
District. -
That WAS The only psraaa sha ssasssasd =