The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-20
THEY ARE after MURRAY
Abuses His Wife and Sends His
Children Quito Beg. y
THE STORY TOLD BY MRS. JONES
Describes Her Husband as One OF the
Greatest Of Scoundrels-Poor Farm
to Be Thrown Open for Inspcc.
tion Of Taxpayers May 1.


tion Of Taxpayers May 1.
Among other interesting matters
dealt with at the meeting of the Scran.
ton poor board yesterday afternoon, the
| question was introduced whether a gen.
eral public invitation should be sent out
to all the citizens to visit the Hillside
home on Wednesday, May /, or whether
only special invitation to representa-
tives of the press and clergymen of
every denomination would be the prop
er thing. There has recently been made
| at the home some valuable improve
ments, representing a money outlay of
over 100000. One new building has been
constructed at n cost of $4,000, and
another has been remodeled to the tune
of $4,000 or more, These two buildings
are at present devoted to the needs of
the old men and old women cared for
by the district
Mr.. Gibbons advocated an inspection
of these improvements by the men who
have paid the tax that liauidates the
running expenses of the poor district,
but he felt ii would be too much of an
undertaking to ask the public to at
tend; 1t would meet with such a re-
| sponse he thought, that the expense
of suitably receiving the visitors would
be more than ought to be entailed. 1t
would require expense, he thought, in
engaging carriages to transfer them
from the railway station to the home,
and it would not be the proper thing,
in his opinion. to treat them shabbily
after inviting them. A lunch should be
provided '.. ....
public WouId Be Informed
Therefore, he argued that instead of
asking the public at large to visit the
home, If a special invitation were given
to newspaper representatives and to
clergymen that would meet all the ends
and save the expense that would other
wise occrue. He is not in favor of
spending money levied for the support
and care of the INDECENT and insane on
'blowouts.'' Mr.. Gibbons sensibly
maintained that the newspapers would
enlighten the public at large about the
improvements at the home.
Director Williams thought that the
course Mr.. Gibbons suggested would
make it appear that the board was
discriminating in favor of journalism
to the exclusion of the judges of our
courts, the mayor and city councils, etc
After some discussion it was agreed
to extend a general public invitation
and let all who so desire attend. At the
suggestion of Mr.. Shotten, Superintend-
ent Beemer will be "at home" to all
visitors all day on May |. Bread and
milk or coffee and cake will regale the
visitors.
Mrs. Duggan brought to the attention
of the board the case of Patrick Muir
ray, of S2S South Washington avenue
This is the individual who has beer
styled heretofore by Mrs. Duggan as
too lazy to work" He has a wife and
six children, and Mrs. Duggan says the
wife is as bad as Murray. The children
are sent out to beg on the streets. with
pitiful tales of sick parents at home
ard the revenue thus derived is d.,
voted to the purchase of rum. Mrs
Duggan does not know whether Mrs
Murray is addicted to fntoxicants, but
she encourages her husband in sending
the children out to beg, and likely to
thieve and to steal.
Murray Feat Ills Wife.
The two oldest are boys and are fit
subjects for reformatory, and the girl
Is also very wayward. Murray used to
be brakeman but now he positively
refuses to work Yesterday he beat his
wife and was locked up.
Mr.. Gibbons favored giving MURRAY
the full benefit of the law and by his
motion the case was placed in the hands
of Director Tropp ana the attorney of
the board, with instructions to look
after the children and also look after
Murray and to prosecute him.
A revolving story was brought to the
surface in the examination of Mrs Mar
garet Jones, who lives on the. Olyphant
road, near the Capouse works She was
the second applicant for relief. She
cited as the ground on which she de-
sired relief Is that her husband has
deserted her and left her without a
means of support. Director Shotten
asked her If David Jones. her husband,
is not living in Duryea or Pittston She
could not tell, she does not know where
he is and moreover does not care; and
she stated before the meeting that she
will never again live with him. He has
not lived with her in two years; and
then she unfolded loothsome accusa-
| ton.
II refuse, and shall refuse to live with
him." she said, because he abused his
own two daughters; he abused other
little girls. too, and one of them that
l know is living now in Dunmore."
Jones Must DO His Part
Mr.. Shotten arose and asked her If
this was not a trumped UP charge, and
she glared fiercely and emphatically
answered, no. He asked her how 1t was
that the matter was dropped, and she
said it was on account of the girls. Her
oldest daughter is IS, and the other IA
The board decided that Jones should
support his family, and If he does not
do it voluntarily he shall be compelled
to do so. The matter was placed in
Mr.. Shotton's hands with power to act.
The first application for relief was
made by Mrs. Bridget Jones, of III
| Prospect avenue. She is sick and along