The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-23


where ever the relief committeeman 90.
As the committeeman and the police
went the rounds yesterday they were
besought on every hand to know
whether it was true that work was to
be provided, and if SO when. Men who
have never known what it was to be
out OF work and out OF the necessaries
Of life mot the visitors with an appeal
for work that went to the heart. Some
Of these were men who had made the
wages OF skilled workmen, and now
they would be glad to get any kind OF
employment at any wages. Most of the
men whose families are in want or on
the verge OF it have been employed at
laboriug work. They have nothing laid
up, have exhausted their credit at the
grocery stores and are living on the
little that is left in the house and the
hope that work may be provided for
them. in very many cases they re-
seuted the idea OF accepting charity,
clinging to the belief that in some way
they would be given chance to earn
enough to carry their families through
the winter. "Give us work" they said,
mo matter at what wages, and we'll
find way to get along" :.
A noble spirit OF hone and selt'reli-
ance was shown at many humble homes
whore the living is from hand to mouth.
These are poor people, but they are not
yet compelled to accept bounty and they
do not desire it. There is scant comfort
in some Of these homes, but the people
who live in them say that they find that
they can get along on little and are de-
termined to care for themselves as long
as they can. Some OF them said they
had enough coal and provisions to last
n week, and before the week runs out
they hope to get work. Some OF these
seemed to feel hurt to be asked il they
needed help. Many OF them thanked
the visitors for coming, and directed
them to homes in the neighborhood
where they thought there was pressing
want. Such homes were found, where
there was not pound Of coal. no fire
and nothing at all to eat. In some
cases needy ones had been helped by
neighbors, who had divided with them
the small supply OF coal and provisions
they had for themselves. Some OF the
most touching cases reported were
those OF widows and children, the
mother in bad health and unable to
work ii she had the chance. Some fam
lilies reported that they live entirely by
the street-begging Of their children.
There was less real destitution found
than was expected, but it was also re-
yealed that unless work be furnished
quickly many more will bo on the de-
pendent list. The general relief COM
mittee was kept busy all day at its head
quarters on Market street, opposite the
postoffice, receiving and distributing.
So far as tho committee knows all emer-
gency cases were given temporary relief.
Some imposters applied, but 1t is
thought that in almost every case OF
this kind the truth was discovered in
time. Some persons who have money
in bank thought it would be well to let
it stay there and throw themselves on
the public charity, but the probability
is that none OF these succeeded. The
committee has many demands for shoes,
which need not be new and can be used
in all sizes, especially children's. All
the ward committees will meet to-day
at the places and Mt the hour announced
in yesterdays INTELLIoENcEE Tonight
the executive committee meets at the
chamber OF commerce at Z o'clock, when
the returns OF the census will be brought
together and tabulated.
INTELLIGENcER reporters visited every
ward with the committees and police,
and the accounts of the trips and the
results OF the Investigations here given
are from personal observation.
The most reliable estimate that can
now be made places the number Of
needy families at about $50, but OF these
the proportion where the want is press
ing and the demand tor aid should be
filled Immediately is smaller than one
might expect, possibly not twenty fami-
lies in the whole city being in that con-
dition.