The record-union., 1892-08-05
SICKNESS, POVERTY AND DEATH.
The Sad End Of James MCPHERSON,
an Engineer
Four Years an Invalid with a Family
to Support - y Fond Fa TIERS
Touching Letter.

The death Of James Mcpherson, which
occurred here on Tuesday, was attended
/ by circumstances Of unusual sadness.
The deceased leaves a widow and three
/ young children ranging from TO years
of age who are totally without means
Mrs. Mcpherson is, however, an indus
trious woman and she hopes to be able to
support herself and children.
Mcpherson had been an invalid some
four years, requiring his wite's personal
attention most of the time. He was a
steamboat engineer. and while in good
| health he was able to maintain his family
comfortably, but his long Illness left them
destitute and latterly, the Howard Benev-
olent Association had been assisting them
as well as it could with the small means
at its command.
The deceased was too proud to acquaint
his father with his condition after he be-
came helpless and it was only few
weeks ago that the father learned where
his son was and his condition. This was
through a letter from Secretary Richard
Dale, who learned the old gentleman'S
address and wrote him the facts. In re-
Spouse thereto he received the following
touching letter, inclosing check for $50:
DEAR SIR: Your letter written me on July
Sd only received to-day, July 22d, and at
once reply. l thank you very much for letting
me know Of my son James. ] haze not heard
| from aim in the last six years, ana you may
imagine how very thankful am to you tor
! letting me know oflhim. And please accept
of my heartfelt gratitude for all that you and
your institution has done for him, and b S
wife and children. cannot express my feel
ingS to you as strongly as l feel, but l hope
you understand ME.
1 make haste to send you as much money as
I IA 70 at
have informed YOU that l am gus, like him
self, an engineer; and you, sir, viii know from
your KNOWLEDGE of them that it takes all we
earn to keep things going respecta Is. But
wish you and him to know that give ana
will give what I can with an affectionate
heart.
You may know how thankful l am to hear
from you that you have not allowed him nor
his family TO want for the necessaries of Iie
But can only thank you with grateful
heart.
l hope, sir, you VIII kindly let me know of
him till the last-till all is over. Will YOU
kindly tell him that have written to his sis
ter, and that she will very likely write him,
too
Your letter says that if death takes him that
you will see his body put deeently N the
earth. Thank you sir, for that comfort, and
l will pay you whatever it costs you.
OF course, sir, you will kindly give my son
my dearest love, and tell HIM now sorry [ am
that ii Eends like this. He knows tthat ! did
my best for him. Yes give him my love and
good-by; and now that we cannot me { here /
trust 20 meet hInl IN the great beyond. Tell
him that hope to mg ct him and other loved
ones there. If he can write let him write to
me.
Those who are wont to think lightly of
the Howard Benevolent Associations
work among the poor and suffering, will
find in this case food for serious reflection.
BY day and night, winter and summer.
its charities and kind offices invade the
abodeS OF misery and bring relief and
often health TO the invalid. while allevi-
ating the pangs Of hunger and cold. It
should be the pride Of every man and
woman in the community whose circum-
stances will permit, TO do something to-
ward Strengthening the hands of the
Towards