The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-16
POVERTY and ITS RELIEF
Poor Directors Considered a LARGE
Number Of Cases Yesterday.
A MIXTURE OF OCCUPANTS
Director Gibbons Reports a Revolving
Case from the South Sidc--sad Case
OF Mias Mary L. Wcsscr- Supcrin.
tendcnt Been Thanked,

A regular meeting of the poor board
was held yesterday afternoon and a
number of cases OF destitution relieved.
The father of Mary Louisa Wesser, of
Roaring Brook, appeared before the
board and requested that his daughter,
who is insane, be sent to the Hillside
Home. He offered to pay 81 per week
toward her maintenance. Miss Wesser
appeared to be about 20 years of age
and was well built and healthy look
ing girl and ii was reported that her
insanity had developed after an attack
OF measles twelve months ago.
Director Gibbons referred to the dila-
tory manner in which the outstanding
amounts due to the board were being
collected, and requested the secretary
to consult with Attorney Scragg to in
sure more expeditions method Of
gathering in the arrears. In one case,
alone, the amount was $400
Among the cases brought before the
board Mrs Cannon, of Palm street, and
Mrs. Daley, of Seventh street, were
offered Il place each at the Hillside
Home. Mrs. Antonia Sarchia, of 222
Fifth avenue, who has a crippled hus-
band and six children, was found to be
chargeable to the Peckville district, and
instructions We're given to remove the
family to that district.
The Chickens Must Go.
Mrs. Juliana Sturka appeared before
the board, and as she could not speak
English, Director Gibbons gallantly
acted as her spokesman. He explained
that she lived on Moltke avenue, and
that nine chickens and one rooster oc-
cupied the rooms in the upper part Of
the house, while Mrs. Sturka, her
mother, weak minded sister and three
children lived in the basement. Her
husband had become tired of the com
pany and had gone west. The family,
he declared, We're not fit to take care of
themselves, and it was the worst case
of filth he had seen in his travels" The
board considered the matter for some
time and decided that, subject to the
! chickens being removed, Director Glib
bonS give such relief as he might con-
| slider desirable.
w. II. Marsh, of 2O5 East Market
street, asked for relief but upon ex-
| animation by Director Murphy it tran
| spired that he had been associated with
a disreputable house at DunmQre.
| When his application was refused he
made use of abusive language toward
the members, and intimated that he
| would request the mayor to compel
them to grant him relief. Mrs. Bridget
| Batten, of Crown avenue widow with
| six children, was granted S4 per month
| for three months.
The Superintc cndent Thanked.
| Secretary Lynett reported that the
| two bills promoted by direction of the
| board with regard to securing aid from
| the state for the maintenance of the in
sane department of the Hillside Home
had been referred by the house to the
appropriations committee. a vote OF
| thanks was passed to Superintendent
| Beemer for his services in the Spellmar
case, which had been before the boarC
| for some years, Mr. Beemer having
proved that this district was not liable
for the maintenance of the patient
The directors decided to hold meeting
of the board at the Hillside farm or
March 90.
Superintendent Beemer reported thai
the men occupied their quarters in the
new addition to the Home on Thursday
night, and that the furnishing would b'
completed in q few days.