The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-08-04
Struggles OF POOR
EXempllled In the Case Of Mrs. Thomas
HaftGl, Of Parker Street.
Was DESERTED BY Her HUSBAND
Then Mrs. Hartell Worked Night and
Day to Support Herself and Chill
dren-Tried to Remove Stain of
Her Husbands Misdeeds- She is
Now a Physical Wreck and Asks
Assistance of Poor Board,

A most pitiable case of destitution,
depicting the sufferings and hardships
which some have to endure in the
battle for life was brought to light at
the meeting of the Poor board yester:
day afternoon.
Mrs. Thomas Hartell, of Parker
street, appeared before the board to
obtain the mem bers' assistance in keep.
ing roof over head. she was accom-
panied by little girl, her step-daugh--
ter, and from the appearance Of both IL
was evidsn: that they had felt the keen
paDgs OF hunger more than once. Mrs.
Hartell is frail. sickly- looking woman
and when, in relating her story. she
stated that she had kept herself aud two
step-children in bread by taking in
washing, some of the members ex-
pressed doubt at her statement, but
they were assured Of its veracity by
Mr. Shotten, VINO had interested him
self in the woman's case when it was
called to his attention by her neigh
bors.
From her story it was cleaned that
her husband had deserted her three
years ago. leaving his two helpless
children upon her hands, She had
reared them from childhood and sooner
than part with them she made O veriti-
BILE slave Of herself; and so hard has she
labored for them and herself that she is
now physical wreck. Her recrsant
husband had been well-to-lo, but he
got head over heels in debt by building
q row Of houses on Parker street and
when he saw that he could not meet
the obligations he decamped, taking
with him whatever money he could
collect together.
A wIFE's SACRIFICE.
He was accused of setting fire to lum-
ber belonging to Mason & Snowdsn. in
spirit Of spite, and Mrs. Hartel rather
than have this charge hanging over her
husband sold everything of value the
husband had not taken and paid Mason
q Snowden for the lumber. she strug.
Rled on as best she could, hoping day
by day that he would return, but as
years rolled by and no tidings of him
came she gave up all hopes Of ever Sec
ing him again.
She never lost q legal interest in her
husbands property, but she had no
money or friends to assist her and as
there was no possible way of her COM
pleting the payments, the mortgages
eat up the principal and now the es-
tate is in the hands of the lawyers.
She says she does not know who owns
the house but that Attorneys Woodruff,
Comegys and Vosburg are interested
In 1T. Mr.. Vosburg, sae said, wanted
her to leave her children and 90 back
to England, She would not consent to
this, but continued to live in the base.
ment OF one of the houses for which
she paid rent every month Her
broken down health made it itimpossiple
for her to work and when her rent ran
up to three months she was threatened
with eviction. This compelled her to
seek aid from the board.
Mr.. Gibbons moved that the attor-
ney Of the board be directed to investi-
gate the case and ascertain whether or
not Mrs, Hartell had any claim on the
property. In the meantime, Mr.. Shot.
ten assured the suffering woman that
she would want for nothing.
FELL IN A SWooN.
She left the board room and had not
been gone over five minutes when word
was brought by Mrs. Duggan that q
woman bad fallen iu swoon In front
of the building. She was carried in.
side and tenderly cared for, and after
a short time revived.
She told those grathered about her
that she had met Mr.. Woodruff and no
had told her that her goods had been
put into the street. This final blow
was too much for the broken hearted
woman and that strong will which had
borne her through many trials had to
succumb.
Mrs. Duggan provided her with a
home and Mr.. Shotten set off to have
an investigation of her case begun,