The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-12
NORTH END NE VS.
A Noted Character Dropped Dead
While Drunk Today.
TIE NEws BUREAU.
NORTH END. as BRAsca AvKsue, Z

about 6 o'clock this morning, at his home,
. HedIey street, OF chronic alcoholism.
This was the opinion OF Medical Exam
liner Palmer, when he arrived at the house
at 8 O'Clock. O'Neil, until live years ago,
was sober, peaceful man, when
he took TO drink and lost his
situation. He has been drinking
heavily ever since. For awhile his wiie
and her mother took in washing. but
later decided IL was easier TO beg, and Tor
the past four years the old woman has
kept the family by going around the diff
ferent saloons In the city and begging
money from the barkeepers and Others.
She has been arrested several times Tor
begging, but the pleadings OF her
daughter before the Board 6 Char
tiles resulted in her liberation
In few days. several weeks
en- six months at Cranston, but she was
released In one week afterward. The
food that was given to the old woman was
brought home and the money was spent
for beer. IL was a very common thing
to see O'NeiI, his wife and the old woman
stretched out upon the floor OF the kitchen
beastly drunk. the beer or whiskey bought
from money collected from charity, The
couple have two children, one years and
the other years, both boys. The eldest
was the one usually sent to crush the
growier," which was going night and
day. They have obtained charity from
all the priests, ministers and charita BILE
organizations in the city; in fact, SO no.
torious have they become that Overseer OF
the Poor Cummings refused them assist
ance. The woman has been known
To sell the food she begged for money to
buy beer with. A familiar phrase used by
the old woman when she stops man on
the street is: "Oh, good, kind and hand
some gentleman, won't you help poor,
old woman who has five grandchildren TO
look after; do. cir, II yon please, and
you'll receive the blessing Of God forever
more" Nine times out of ten she
would receive nickle or more. This
she has kept up for the past four years and
she played her part we'll. Last night
O'Neil, his wife and mother in law got
drunk as usual and stretched themselves
out on the floor. Later O'Neil got up aud
went to bed, in q room of the kitchen.
At 8 80 this morning, he awoke and called
for drink. Mrs. O'Neil got him some
ice water which he drank and threw it up
again and then fell back with gasp and
died.
The NEWS representative called at the
house with Medical Examiner Palmer
and found the body stretched on an old
filthy mattress, the feet hanging out Of
the bed. The floors of the different rooms
were covered with black dirt so that it
was impossible to see the boards, which
iOOhtd IL tucN uhu HtNcT Sttn II
broom in years. The beds were hor-
rible to look at, and Mr.. Palmer said he
that during his whole experience in the
medical profession he had never been into
such filthy looking house before. The
sight was sickening. Mrs. O'Neil is 20
years old, 40 she told the reporter, and
stands about five feet eight inches high,
and weighs about 10 pounds. She looked
as il she was able 10 keep the house clean
II she wanted to. The children are two
bright young boys, and should be given
into the care of some charitable society
where they will be well taken care of.
pretty wedding took place at the
Church OF the Immaculate Conception at
7o'clock this morning. The contracting
parties were Robert Csrkin, the popular
produce peddler of Wanskuck, and Miss
Mamie Gallagher. Arthur Clarkiu's,
brother OF the groom, was best man and
Miss Nellie McElroy was brides
maid. Rev. Father Mccarthy tied
the nuptial knot and then the newly
welded couple repaired to the home of he
bride, where breakfast was served, and
alter receiving the congratulations of
their friends, MIR. and Mrs. Clarkin started
for tour of New York and Philadelphia.
On their return they VIII make their
home at 525 Douglas avenue.
ntlt Ndo a. ElhnN az nOIllus
Rison's 19S NeaZie- street, last night. 1t
MAS one OF the largest parties ever held in
Wanskuck. MIR. Rison had invited people
from the city and Olneyville and most of
them accepted. Relreshme nts were served
during theevening, and singing and dane
ing INDUCED in later. The singing of
Con Durigen, John Gregory and p. j..
Chadwick deserve special mention.
AT II O'Clock standing vote of thanks
was rendered TO Mr.. Rison for his hos
pitality and after wishing Mr.. Rison sue
cess the party adjourned.
The young people connected with st.
Thomas Episcopal Church gave an enter
tainment in the basement of the church
last evening. There was very lnrge at
tendance, as there always il when this
church gives an entertainment. The
Wanskuck Male Quartet sang delightful
ly and receiye ed several well deserved en-
cores; Miss Lucy Horton, gave readings
which brought down the house; Ella
Burton sang two songs nicely; Benjamin
Eollett and Charles Ham gave selections
on the banjo. Professor Clegg presided at
the piano and Thomas Cook acted as mas
ter OF ceremonies.
Representative Charles NJ. Smart met
with an accident yesterday afternoon.
He was up in a tree picking apples, when
the limb On which he was resting broke,
and he fell TO tho ground, distance OF 12
feet, and sustained sundry bruises about
the body and badly sprained his right
leg.
James Moody, son OF Mrs. Ellen Moody
of Douglas avenue, writes 10 his mother
that he has arrived safely in Bradford on
Avon, England. His many young
friends here will be gratiiled 90 learn of
this and that he IL enjoying himself i'm
mensely.
NJ. Mcfarland of CollinsvIle. Conn,
and Miss Lizzie and Nellie McWecncy OF
New Haven have returned home.
The old Matilda house, Matilda street,
was broken into again yesterday but
nothing was taken.
Il. j. Mccarthy made n flying visit TO
Hartford, Conn, yesterday.
No arrests at the Second Station last
night.