The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-25
PAUPER WHO HAD PROPERTY.
superintendent DOOley's Investigation
Reveals Some Startling Facts.


case of sham poverty which Superintendent
Dooiey, OF the Bureau of Associated Charities,
has recently investigated well illustrates the
value OF such an institution. prominent
clergyman reported that widow with five
children was i'll sad poverty, and thought the
case at least deserved investigation. Accord
ingly Mr. Dooley investigation.
He found the woman in bed, presumably
sick. with a sickly 7-months Old babe by her
side. Running about the very dirty house of
two rooms were four other children, the oldest
OF whom was not over years. The doctor was
present, for the woman said she was seriously
sick. had been so for several days, and had no
money to buy food for the little ones nor pay
the druggist for medicine. A poor neighbor
with baby OF her own was attending her, and
anumber of kind hearted women had shown
their sympathy in practical manner.
Nevertheless. there were circumstances which
aroused the superintendent's suspicious, and he
proceeded to question the woman.
"How long has your husband been dead?" he
asked.
She hesitated. az could get along without
heip, IL l had some one to trust me little
while,' she replied.
81 do not mean to be iuquisitive, said the
superintendent 81 want to know what is best
to do for you, and Will not ask you any question
an honorable woman may not freely answer.
How long has your husband been dead?"
1.-TWO and a half years. she answered.
"Then the name of this baby is no. -?
mentioning the name she had givea as her
OWN. Is the father living? What is his
name?'
The woman was not prepared for this direct
attack, and became agitated. Rather resent
fully and with much hesitation she gave a
name, which was manifesty not the true one
Being asked where he was, she said, "At WORK
on "A railroad"
Within an hour the main facts of the case
were disclosed, showing not want aud sickness
hut only shame The very woman fourteen
years the ''sick' woman's junior. who was
caring for her in her sickness and for her chill
drei., was the she had most cruelty
wronged. for that woman's husband was the
father of the sickly infant, The other children
seemed exceptionally vigorous.
When the friendly visitor, whose sympathies
had been so deeply aroused. called two days
later, tic found the sick woman visiting a
neighhor. Lively as a cricket" as he said The
investigation had done for her what medicine
failed 10 DO.
81 want no help" she said fercely. 81 have
besides what own of the house which live ill.,
two lots, which | have already contracted to
sell (which the bureau found to be the fact and
when have sold my property | will take my
children aud so 10 my 'husband.''
The superintendent is sure she has no idea OF
seeGing the company of the dead. Hers has
for some time been regarded a most worthy
case for charity. The friend visitor will never.
theless persist until She either regains self
respect. Tor she is bright and is by no means
the very worst among mothers, or. should sho
remain in Seattle, until the children have been
rescued from her hands if she tails to amend
her course