The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-12-07
A WIDOWS LUCK.
Mrs. McColgan's Fortune
Has Changed.
SHE Is NO LONGER A PAUpER.
Deserted by Her Husband Before the
War She Will Now Enjoy
Pension.

Mrs. Ann McColgan now realizes the
truth Of the saying that sit Is the improb-
able that always happens"
She is 60 years of age. and for the
past ten years has been almost helpless
from infammatory rheumatism.
Several years ago she was compelled to
take refuge at the Almshouse. from which
place the poor woman was taken last
August by some of the acqualntances Of
her younger years.
She looked upon the kindly act of her
friends as special mercy from heaven
Wneh they took her to their own comfort
able home on Hyde street.
but ii appears that fate has taken a
kindly interest in Mrs. McColgan's behalf
and mas still greater benefits to confer upon
her.
In 1850 she was married TO Patrick Nc
Colgan in the city of Boston anu by that
marriage had four children.
IN 1903 her husband deserted her for some
unknown cause, although the poor woman
mao reason to believe. and does still believe,
That he went away with some other woman.
lhe abandoned wife was left in sore dis
tress with the four children to care for and
support
She toiled hard to keep body and soul to-
gether.
The next year after her husbands deser-
tion her little family was swept away one
Dy one by the dread scourge diphtheria.
Ihe hrst child was attacked by the disease
IN december and by the following February
the poor woman was alone in the world
and her little ones were gone.
overcome by sorrow the mournful mother
oid not know whether she ought to live or
not.
AS she says. at prayed for to die. indeed
1 ala. had lost all hope and several times
thought. and may God forgive me for it.
would just quietly 20 down to the harbor
and lind rest forever"
Fer years the deserted wife labored and
saved. with her savings she was enabled
10 BUY a little plat OF ground in the Boston
catholic Cemetery to which she had her
children removed from the city graveyard.
one then went to Brooklyn, New I Ork,
then TO Buffalo and finally 10 Detroit. where
she labored In the employ of hotel for
many years.
On account of frequent attacks of rheu-
matlsm she WAS compelled 10 seek change
OF climate and she went TO ST. Louis. where
she was again employed at leading hotel
as head laundress
About ten years ago her health became
50 pad that she was compelled to 60 to
Omaha, where she was taken i'll.
she became a charge on the city, and
after year there the officials advised her
10 60 west, and they supplied her with a
ticket and few dollars.
Mrs. Michigan was driven about from
pillar to post until she reached this State.
years ago, when she became so afflicted
with rheumatic pains and fever that she
was compelled TO go to the Almshouse.
During all these years Mrs. Michigan has
never seen or heard from her husband since
the day be deserted her.
A few weeks ago, however, the man of
the family with whom she makes her home
happened 10 receive list Of the killed aud
wounded during the late war.
lie happened to discover the name of Pat
rick McCOlgan among the list of the killed
al the Nieksburg siege. He belonged to en-
Ohio regiment and was a resident of Boston,
Further inquiry has ELECTED the response
that the soldier was the husband of Mrs.
Ann McColgan.
Attorney E. NJ. Morgan, who has been
investigating the case, says there is no doubt
at all but that the identity of the dead
soldier has been clearly established.
AS the widow Of a soldier Mrs. MeColgan
Will be entitled to several thousand dollars
back pension and Sl2 month hereafter.
In the good fortune of the present the
poor woman condones the wrong OF the
past.
Oh. the poor man, i know be was sorry
for what he did, and he died on the battle
field. Well, McColgan was always brave.
and nj ay be he left because / wasn't worthy
OF him. l hope God will forgive him as
willingly as / do"