The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-30
SUFFER|NGS Of THE POOR.
Cases That Excite Pity and
Sympaty on Every Hand.
MOST AFFECT POVERTY AsouNDs.
Scenes That werc Witnessed by
News Reporter Yesterday Onlcer
Cannon's Kind Heart Blessed by the
Poor-Sights Along His Beat.


A representative of THE News, accom-
panied by Officer Peter b. Cannon of the
Fifth Station, visited few of the families
on his beat, and cases were seen that
should receive the attention OF others
than the overseer of the poor. Per-
haps the most distressing case was that
of Mary Donahue, who with three small
children make what Is called home at
No. 1873 Richard street. The mother Is
dying with consumption, and can live but
a short time, and her only nourishment
Is whiskey and milk, and even this Ii not
to be had only as some kind hearted per-
sons sends IL in. The little ones are
in need of all the necessities of life. This
case should receive the earnest attention
OF some society or persons who are inter-
ested in Gods work. One dollar a week
from the city and the bread from THE
NEWS, is their only support. Officer Can
non has done much to relieve this
family from his own income, and
has been the means OF soliciting
great deal, but there are others on his
beat that have come for share Of his
salary, and none but those whom he has
befriended will ever know what he has
done for the extremely poor in that
vicinity.
more cases that one would hardly believe
could exist in SO good city as this. The
family consisted of eight, father, mother
and six children. The father has just
recovered the use of his arm that was
broken and the mother has been suffering
with the grip. Here the bread from
THE NEWS was godsend, and as
Officer Cannon gave them the little cards
that would gain for them the staff OF life,
each one of their faces frightened up.
This family resides in the cellar.
From here visit to the attic was made.
On, the way up was an old man with
pieces of boards and old rags
closing up windows to keep the snow out,
but this was impossible for IL was the
work of mechanic to keep the snow out
of that house. Upon arrival at the upper
rooms they were found to be almost dark,
as the principal light for the rooms
was furnished by skylights and these
were covered with snow. Here lived two
old women who have been the special care
of Mr.. Cannon. One Of the women, Mrs.
Ellen Grant, had previously slept upon a
tare floor for six weeks. He soon
found a bedstead and other OF his friends
furnished bedding and now she at least
sleeps on comfortable bed
At 27s Eddy street were found q
mother and daughter, the latter having
been sick with pneumonis, and the
mother with the grip, being obliged to
occupy the same bed. The daughter has
not been able to 60 out of the room
since Thanksgiving, but is now
able to be about the house
and care for her aged mother. This
house bears the signs OF better days as the
hsndiwork of the mother and daughter
can be seen in many ways.
There are many other cases of this kind
IN this portion OF the city, and IL persons
who desire to assist the poor, and wish to
see for themselves, they can call upon the
officers, who will tell them where they can
do as much good as they are pleased. THE
NEWS win in a day or 80 establish Bread
Depot at the grocery store OF Charles ID.
Porle, No. 167 Richmond street, where
the best of fresh hot bread will be de-
livered free of allcharge to those in need
In that locality.