The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-28
RELIEVING THE NEEDY
GENEROUS RESPONSES TO CHARITY
ORGANIZATIONS APPEAL.
General Harrison Visits Headqua rters
Many Men Working ON the Ice
Ponds-A Poor Woman Eyicted.

A compromise has been effected between
the weather man and his friend up north.
the latter having agreed TO cease blowing
his breath any colder.
Indications now are that zero weather is
about over for indianapolis, except that
during the night the mercury will be al
lowed TO loaf around that point on the
thermometer which is marked by a goose
egg. The weather began 10 grow warmer
Tuesday and during the night there was
no time when it was colder than 2 below
zero, and during the day il warmed TO the
point of 6 above. Last night il cooled on
a little again and prospects are that the
same process will be repeated to-day WITH
occasional furries of snow.
The last addition to the wintry pro-
gramme has livened things up a
bit. Ever since the cold spell be-
gan there has been a longing
for an inch or two Of snow TO
| give an opportunity for sleighs and shedding
parties. TIL longing has been gratified TO
some degree and yesterday the air was
filled with the unwonted jingling of sleigh
bells. If nobody breaks contract and a lit
tie more snow falls. the hearts Of those
who have sleighs stored away will be filled
with rejoicing.
Ice cutting has begun in earnest now,
and on nearly all the ponds the frozen
liquid is being cut into square chunks and
carted away 10 storage houses, there 10
await the coming of summer and the fix
ing OF an adequate price by it's owners
Ice men are hoping for a continuation of
the cold weather until they can house the
crop waiting for their knives. The Ice Is OF
excellent quality. from eight to ten inches
in thickness. and with ten days more OF
suitable weather there viii be no fear or
Il scarcity when warm weather comes.
Hundreds Of men are applying for. work
at the icehouses and ponds and though
there Is a great deal TO do there Will not
be enough 10 satisfy ali the applicants.
Yesterday about 25U men were put 10 work
and il is probable that as many more Will
be given employment as soon as all the
machinery Is ready and all the packers
buckle down to business.
The decrease Ia cold has operated favor
ably in relieving somewhat the distress OF
the poor. Though still far from comfort
able where fire Is scarce, they are yet free
from the danger of freezing. The charity
organization rooms were as crowded yes
terday as at any time during the last few
days with those seeking aid, but not one
was turned away. The appeal for help has
met with "a hearty response and a stream
or kindly people poured in all day long
with their offerings. CONSIDERABLE money
was received and quantities of blankets
and clothing. The pile of old clothes
heaped up near Secretary CIRCUITS desk
contained a varied assortment of family
NSaACD " ~ AhN 1AlC " tiAS
suffering. There were hats, bonnets, coats,
trousers dresses. and shoes. and some in
a state of responsibility and some other
wise. A warm and odorous sweater" a
souvenir Of happy days on the towpath
last summer, had a prominent place in the
collection, and close by lay a pair of gray
trousers, rendered double in thickness by
the contents of a paint pot lavishly spread
over their surface. Some thoughtful per-
son had sent their last ummer's under
wear. and there was also an appropriate
present of a white illusion party gown and
a pair Of white satin slippers. But there
were plenty of good warm clothes TO bring
comfort to the chilled bodies of many of
the city'S poor.
Ex-President Harrison was one of the
callers at the charity rooms. He has al
ready made a contribution. but came To eX-
press his willingness to do more If more
was needed. This seemed 10 be the senti-
ment of all who called, and there was "a
spirit Of generous plenty about the rooms
which did one good TO see. Everybody
said, as he dumped down his armload. or
took IL coin from his pocket, IF you need
more tell me and I'll do what / can"
Mr.. and Mrs. Harrison were particularly
Interested in the case Of a widow who was
about TO be turned out of her house to
satisfy the claims of "A man who held a
chattel mortgage against her. They saw
that the creditor had his due and that the
widow retained her home. MIR. Harrison
gave SO 10 the Bureau of Justice in addi-
tion to his previous subscription and told
He said he thought the suffering would
increase while the cold weather lasts and
he wanted To do his share i'm relieving il.
The Charity Organization Society fur
nished aid yesterday to 135 families, sup
plying them with food and fuel.