The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-01-27
RELIEVING THE POOR.
The Ladies Are Keeping Up
Their Noble Work.

The Circle OF Mercy, under the general
direction OF Miss Joe Wolff. is still per-
forming its acts of mercy in rendering
assistance to the helpless, comfort to
the distressed and alternating as far as
Is possible for human effort to do, the
sufferings Of the poverty stricken.
There are many families in the city abb
solutely destitute. The little children
stand and sit on the doorsteps and cry
for bread; the sound of their infant and
helpless voices is heartbreaking to the
parents who catch up the wall; but who,
in many instances, are unable to earn
even mouthful of bread.
That the ladies who have been doing
this work have been imposed upon in
many ways, goes without saying. Many
able bodied negroes have applied for
help, and through the slick tales they
told obtained provisions, clothing and
fuel Some Of this class are very hard
to please, and desire such delicacies as
cheese, canned goods and tea, saying
that they can't eat common rations.
Many of them have been turned away
without anything for good, ard doubtless
sufficient causes.
Nor is this class included entirely
within the negro population. White
men and women seem to think that the
gates Of an inexhaustible bounty have
boon opened up and that they are free
to take to their own hearts, content.
Cases were cited to a TIMES reporter
yesterday in which different members
OF tho same family would apply at diff
ferent times, declaring that no rela
tionship existed between them and
thereby procure double supply Of the
necessaries OF life. 1t is known that
one family received whole ton OF coal
at one time.
The contributions yesterday were
quite liberal. a S25 check was sent in
by the brewery; Mayor Trout sent a
check to the amount OF SIG so; Matthew
Thomas contributed five barrels of flour;
Goetz, the shoe dealer, sent around six
pairs of nice ladies' shoes; Col. Thomas
Lewis, with his usual kindness, sent in
large supply of groceries; Mr.. Malone.
the baker, gave nice lot Of bread, and
check for $50 was received from Capt.
Robt. Norman.
The supply Of coal is exhausted, and
as nearly all OF the gro -eries have to be
bought, the funds are necessarily low.
Wearing apparel is in greatest demand
just now, many OF the destitute being
without the clothing necessary to the
comforts Of the body. The kind Of
clothing needed is wearing apparel for
women and boys and girls ranging in
age from infancy to IL and Is years,
sheets, pillow-cases, etc.
A majority OF the suffering IS in
Belmont and on the north side of the
railroad. w. X. Andrews has the thanks
OF the good people of Roanoke for de
livering the coal and groceries contri.
buted. Many distressing cases are
found by the Circle of Mercy in their
rounds over the city looking up the
destitute. The arduous work which
Miss Volt has found it necessary to
undergo in the performance of her
charitable work makes it necessary for
her to adopt certain hours to devote to
callers. She can, therefore, be seen
from 10 a. m. to ~ M. and from 9 to D.
M, at which time she will be glad to re-
ceive anyone wishing to see her on
business. Contributions are requested
and all such will be used in the best
possible manner.