The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-15
SAD TALE OF DESTITUTION.
Relief Committee Makes a Detailed Re.
port on the Sufferers.

port on the Sufferers.
l. r Fleming and Robert Bridges, the mem.
Ders OF the citizens relief committee who were
sent 10 Roslyn, in company with the local relief
committee OF Roslyn made personal investi-
cation OF the homes and conditions of the af-
hlcted. and last night on their return 10 Seattle
made the following statement:
The fact that the mines have bean practically
closed Tor the past sixteen months. the CON-
pany during that time giving only occasional
employment, has left the entire community.
merchants as we'll as miners, i'll sore financial
straits and sadly unprepared for this calamity.
large number OF families came from the East
one year and half ago in response to an adver-
tisement fer men made by the company, which
expected TO fill Il large contract for coal sold to
the Union Pacific, which for some reason fell
through. These families have been in state OF
chronic want from that time, not having sufii-
cient funds TO get away. This state of affairs
leaves the widows and orphans to the care of
strangers.
We visited every family afflicted, taking a
record OF number OF children, their names, ages
and condition of health. and inquired into tho
state OF their finances Invariably the widows
reported themselves in debt IA the merchants.
Two widows had become insane, two were epi-
lepsic, a few were confined TO their beds, pros
trated with grief. Mrs. steel is left with eight
children, ranging from months to 10 years.
Mrs. Bremen has seven, in steps from weeks
to j. years. Mrs. Ronald has six children, the
oldest 10 years. the youngest weeks. Mrs.
Hodgins has five, oldest II years and youngest
months. Mrs. Rees has six, ranging from $
weeks to the Oldest l. years. Mrs. ellsworth has
eight children, the oldest Is. the youngest year.
several widows have three and four helpless
children.
TE4 miners are principally English. Welsh
ana scotch, with a sprinkling of other nation.
alities anu about twenty coiored families. We
were very much impressed with the INTEL igence
OF the miners of Roslyn. 1t was expressed by
the bereaved families in their grief, by the VOL
unteers In the rescue, risking their lives down
the terrible slope nearly a mile under ground.
The state of Washington should in some way
honor the hprciaFD n roar rtf
koslyn. Mr.. Miller, stated, after the last body
was buried, that he felt proud that the peopiS
responded to every request during the trying
ordeal, and willingly performed every service,
no matter how disagreeable.
The greatest relief that could be afforded to
this community would be the operation OF the
companys mines that have been and at pre-
sent remaining idle. From Information gath.
cred we are led TO believe that the Roslyu mines
can be operated with less expense than any
other mines in the state We are confident that
II the n-resideat owners of these mines were
on the ground aud eye-witnesses OF the distress
prevailing, the ordinary dictates of humanity
would lmpei them 10 make strenuous efforts to
resume work.
The people of Roslyn are exceedingly gratified
with the lead seattle has taken in coming TO
their relief. On invitation we attended the
meeting OF the Roslyn relief and finance COM
mittee last evening. We recommended that all
money donated be deposited IN some bank in
Tacoma and Seattle, and drawn upon monthly,
according to the particular stipend decided To
be given 10 each fnmlly. Owing to circumstan-
were Informed the resident bank refused to give
security
Following is detailed account of the con-
dition of every bereaved family.
Margaret Rees aged A.: chiIdren-Margaret
Rees aged Il, Lilly Rees s, Aaron 6, Myer s.
Rachel Mary 2, Martha weeks. Wholly desti.
tute. with no visible means of support.
Lucy Cooper, colored, aged -; children-LOuis
f. Cooper, years. Immediate assistance not
necessary.
Annie Pollard, colored, aged 2s; married about
a m faf lief
Clara A. Bennett, aged 26; children-William
G. Bennett 6, Joseph l. Bennet 8 years. This
woman is sckly and almost destitute.
Annie Erlenson, age %; children-Amanda
r. Erlenson, age 5; Jennie o., s; Johanna r.,
4, and John Oscar, /. Tho mother owns tho
house and lot upon which she lives. Her hus-
band had Just commenced work after an acci.
dent that forced him To six months ideness.
She had no money, and was in debt for provi.
sons.
Sarah Forsythe, age 5S years; child-Agnes
IL. Has some property. from which she derives
a small income.
Sarah Browitt, age Is years; Joseph Browitt,
IS, made orphans by death of father; are abso-
lutely poverty stricken.
Agnes steele, aged 35: children-walter IS,
Harris 4, Agnes and Washington months.
Absolutely destitute. The eldest boy has
defective hearing.
Emma Robertson, aged u; son-William Glad.
stone, aged months. No funds.
William Panhall, who was killed In the ex-
ploson, had sent his wife, who was deranged,
to relatives in England. She Is now there penni-
less with four children.
Sadie SPOTS, aged 81 no family; is 8 seam
stress and not absolutely destitute.
Berdina Palmer, aged 26. ii as a small income.
Mary Giles, colored, age 35 child-Charles, II
years. Owns q house aud lot and does not re-
Quire immediate assistance.
Isabella Hague. age so; chlld-Annfe age Is,
and deformed. An extreme case OF destitutlon.
Emma L. Brooks age IS; children-Priscilla,
age Ii, James II, Leonard 9 months, all at pres
ent in Streator, ILL., They have received only
$5o i'll the last six months
Lon Louis, age Al chldren-Bert, II; William
age years. The widow has for three years
been an invalid. They are heavily in debt to
the storekeepers.
Annie Graham, sge "a; children-Mary K,
age ?, and Mary T., months old This family
is burdened with debt, and in immediate need.
Agnes Williams, colored, age 30; children-
William 81, Clara l5 Gertrude. an adopted
child. 10 years. Have sufficient for present.
wants
Frances Ostliff, aged 35 children-Mary IS
Jane Anne IA, Maria II, Edward Z. Annie and
in much need. The head of the family was u
member of the A. q. U. w. and the widow will
get s2,000 benefit from that order.
Elizabeth Da;rs, aged %; chlldren-Davfd IL,
Annie 10, Elizabeth months. In pressing need.
The mother is subject to epileti0 fits and cannot
be LETT alone in the house.
Margaret McIennsn, aged 27; children-Pearl
6, Ninali, kelso =. Owns house and lot. The
husband was a member OF the A. o. U. w. and
the family will secure $1,000 benefit.
Frances Causworth age a.; children-Fred ls,
Sarah 10, Obadiah IA, Maud VI. 1S, Mary A. II,
Millicent A. 10, John and Francis Z. / year.
Ia total destitutlon
Mary Wright, age q: children-Maple z, sid
ney 8, Willie 16 months, Albert 10 days. Tho
mother ls deranged and the family has In all
about 800. There is no immediate need but
aid will be necessary in the near future.
Marian Ronald, age 80; children-Mariau TO-
Alexandria s. Albert 6, Henrietta 5, Jessie and
Ethel weeks. Absolutely destitute. Tho
mother is nearly deranged and prostrated. Her
aged mother is part of the family.
Jane Foster. age %; child George, age
years Mother about to be confined. She pos
sesses absolutely nothing. Another family has
taken her In.
Johanna Bianco, age 90; children-Charies 5,
Fred and Albert l6 months. DestitutiOn OF
the most absolute kind prevailed III this house
hold. Woman Will be confined within few
DAYS.
Hannah Hodgscu. age SO: children-Mary
Jane H. Edmund 9. Lauretta 7, karah and ne.
linda months he mother is subject to ITS.
and is helpless and entirely dependent
Susan Weatherby, age 80; cAilGren-Lizzis
81, an Invalid; Alice l9, Thomas % and William
90 The sons cannot be depended on. The
widow will get 81, 100 insurance from the indie
pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
sarah Brennan, age 81: children-Hary Anu
i. sally IL, Jennie S. John Z, Maggie 4, Edward
., Catherine weeks. Absolutely destitute.
George Moses, an orphan, 10 years OF sge. HIS
only known relative is an uncle in Streator, Ill
THE INQUEST AT ROsLYN.