Delaware gazette and state journal., 1897-07-08
APPEAL TO THE CHARITABLE
Pitiful Plight of Mrs. Ellen Call
lahan and Family.
MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN I'LL
Cannot Work and Are in Des-
titute Condition..
The Woman Confined to Her Bed Almost
Constantly since Last Christmass One
Child Suffering From Wasting Disease
and Another Probably Fatally Injured.

A sad case, and one which should
appeal to cbaritably inclined citizens
of Wilmington, exists at No. BOG Union
street, the residence OF Mrs. Ellen Gala
han, widow Of John W. Callahan. Mrs.
Callahan and her eldest son. Daniel.
who is about IL years of age, are
seriously i'll of wasting filiction, aud
neither is able to work, while John,
l2-years- old sou, who has been earning
small wages at the factory Of the Ford
Morocco Co., ia also seriously i'll at the
Delaware Hospital. 4On Wednesday
night the lad met with an accident on
the railroad, while returning from a
bathing place on Richardson's run, and
his head was SO badly injured that hia
life is despaired OF.
After the accident he was taken home
by some companions, but owing to the
condition of affairs in his own home be
was kindly taken in BY Robert Gamble,
who lives in the adjoining house on
the north. He was in comatose con-
dition when he reached the house, and,
although Mr.. CANDLES family and Drs.
Hitch and Fahey did all they could to
relieve the lad, he suffered untold
agony throughout the night. On
Thursday he was removed to the hos
pital.
The illness of the lad removes Mrs.
Callahan's only means of support, and,
were it not for kind neighbors and
friends, she would be absolutely deati-
tute.
There are also two young children in
the house, a girl about years of age
and boy about 5, who assist as best
they can with the housework, this duty
leyolving mainly upon them, as the
mother Is confined to her bed.
Soon after the death of her husband.
which occurred about two years ago,
Mrs. Callahan and her son Daniel were
given employment BY Peter j. Ford.
Mrs. Callahan was compelled to cease
working last fall, however, as she had
become too i'll TO do anything at the
factory About Christmas her condi-
tiun was much worse and since that
time she has been confined to her bed
almost constantly.
About two months ago tho eldest son
was also compelled to give up his
situation for the same reason, and his
affliction has now reached such stage
that he is scarcely able to get about.
He ia very good to his mother, how
ever. and does what he can about tho
house. 80 81
When tho neighbors learned the
alarming ptate of affairs recently, they
proffered help, which was gratefully
accepted, and now they are looking
after the housework and doing what
they can to ward of destitution.
The Rev. Nj. X. Falldn Of st. Paul's
Catholic Church also calls and ministers
to the sufferers.
One of the chief helps to the family
is the Society OF st. Vincent de Paul,
which is connected with 81. Paul's
Church. The members have interested
themselves in the case and have been
giving some assistance. BY direction
Of the society tho house recently re-
ceiyed thorough cleaning, since which
time the neighbors have kept it in
order.
DR.. Fahey, too, has interested him
self and calls frequently.
The house in which the family lives
is owned by Peter j. Ford, but be
has not required any rent for several
months. He has also on several ouca-
sions sent provisions to the house. In
fact, all Of the neighhors have been
very kind and are helping as best they
can.
As soon as the l2 years old son could
be of any service he was given employ
ment by Mr. Ford, hut the accident to
the lad has very materially increased
the family's misfortunes. 1t is under
stood that the mother was keeping up
the Insurance. on herself and the chill
dren with part of tue money earned by
the little fellow.