The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-09
Pitiful Poverty.


Dr.A. III. Longfsllow called the atten-
ticn OF the board TO the destitute condi-
tion OF a family named Battles living at
the Sam Scranton place on Plainfield
Pike. He had been called to
attend child who had received q severe
burn on the arm and beside this affiiction
he found several small, half-clothed chill
dren, the mother about to be confined
and the house without fuel, although
some has since been sent her by the over
seer OF the poor.
The family had had nothing iothc wa y
OF food, except beans, for six days, and
were In extreme want. 1t appears that
special liquor officers two weeks ago, and
the husband, Charles Battles, is
in Jail for want Of bail on
five writs for selling without q
license, five cases for keeping for sale and
one nuisance case. While the board was
considering the matter Mrs. Battles her.
self entered the council chamber and was
invited to state her case, which was prac-
tically as given by the doctor.
She stated she had endeavored to see Mr..
White three times without success. In
answer to an inquiry IL her hus band,
when arrested, did not turn over TO her
quite sum OF money, she said that S2.06
was all the cash he had. Formerly one of
the children was employed at the Thorn
ton mill out now Is out OF work. When
asked IL she would consent to be moved
to the State Aims House, as she had no
legal settlement in the town, she
burst nto tears and no reply was received
to this inquiry,
James l.. Pettis came forward and ten
dered her q sum of money which she
thankfully received.
The council ordered Town Sergeant Hol
brook TO provide the family with tempo
rary aid pending o further notification OF
Overseer of the Poor White and to furnish
her with transportation back to her home
which is about q mile above Thornton.
Tho council adjourned to Feb. rs, to can
vass the voting list.
Midnight Fire.
A few minutes after IL O o'clock last night
. fire was discovered In the saloon Of
Henry Bronner on Appleton street.
An alarm of fire from box 81 was rung
In. The firemen responded promptly and
first made sure that all the occupants were
out OF the burning building as it was occu-
pied as tehements above, and the flames
had communicated TO the block occupied
ny q. l.. Gendreau for grocery, and inn
periled the people in that build
ing which was occupied by three
families, the only entrance being
through an alley and q narrow stairway.
1t was feared the women and children
might not be able to leave the house,
which had suddenly become filled with
suffocating smoke.
The thermometer registered below
zero, yet the inmates were forced to leave
so hastily that they were scantily clad
and most Of them with only stockings on
their feet. Mr.. Gendreau left vest con-
tanning between five and six hundred
dollars behind, which was secured by
fireman O'Neil
1t was 80 before the fire was under
control and the block had suffered con-
siderable damage and the stock of goods
is practically total loss. The buildings
are insured for $4,000 end the stock OF
groceries for $1,000.
Annexationists Active.
Numerous petitions are in circulation
for signatures favoring annexation, and
are being largely signed.
The number OF signcrs at present is
sonnet hing over 800, and but few people
in the agricultural part Of the town have
been solicited.