Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-15
pRorGHT HIS FAMILY HERE.
Distressing Condition OF john new
TON and His Wife and Children

Mr. John Newton, his wife and four
children reached Richmond last night
and in less than an hour after the train
which brought the family here showed
I'D AT Union Station they were ali being
taken under the guidance Of a KIND
hearted. policeman 10 the City Aims
house. where they spent last night, and
are now.
The story of these people Is one OF
peculiarly-sad interest Mr.. Newton ana
his family are from Mecklenburg county
and have come to Richmond, he says, 10
look for work and a support Tor ms
wife and children. The father himself
is q cripple, and was rolled from the
train I'm an invalid's chair. His arm
Is paralyzed. and typhoid-fever, five years
ago. took away all the use from MS
limbs. The picture that this famlly, III
their sadness and loneliness. presented
when there they stood amidst the rush
and confusion and carelessness OF al thdl
concerns humanity save ones sell which
seeus TO characterize large railway de-
pots was one upon which the sternest
would rather have drawn the veil They
knew not one person in the whole city,
were entirely unused TO city customs,
with not cent. perhaps. between them,
knowing not where 10 so nor which way.
This pItiable spectacle was taken in by
officer Foster. and he told them or the
uujet safe shelter on the other side OF
the city, and showed them the way TO
reach l..
The Oldest child Is a boy about IL years
OF age; then there are two pretty niue
girls and another boy. This is the family
that the wretchedly-poor and crippled
1T 90 la
and feed and rear n the way "oI truth
and holiness"
Mr. Newton says he was farmer when
ne could work at ALL and there seems no
reason to believe that he Is or ever can
be skilfm IN any other craft. He Is
about A. years of age, has an honest
frank countenanee, While his VIE Is
comely woman Of possibly 81. Iney
gave no other reason why they left their
little home in Mecklenburg and came TO
Richmond In search OF Il livelihood than
that there was no living TO be had from
the farm, and something must be done
The children, whom. 1T seems, strangely
enough. Providence had entrusted TO his
care, must have bread. lie had heard
their cry. and i'm his weakness, in his
love for them. became desperate. Some
lean must be taken. Where? What
i'N'NfN'"'
ed his poor brain. He thought OF this
city. knew something of its glorious his
tory, dreamed of its many splendid man.
sions, and hundreds and thousands or
little children, who were no brighter nor
prettier than his own. who wasted more
every day than enough to clothe and feed
the ones dear 10 him, for whom there was
no roof to shelter. He determined IN
his great extremity TO come and throw
them and himself upon Richmonds kind
people Not to sit and hold idle hands
but surely In a great city there was some
thing their hands and his could md 10
do This was why he came.
They were in good hands last night
but this door will soon close for them
The stay OF one not a native or resi-
dent of Richmond in the almshouse Is
limited to the earliest moment that one
can be taken away and placed with the
proper authorities for support. Unless
Mr.. Newton makes some unforeseen ar
rangement for his family today. the au-
thorities OF his county Will be notified
TO come and take them back.