The San Francisco call., 1898-01-11
Josie Kelly Is Now a Wreck of Her Former
 Self.
A Year Ago Her Husband Was Sentenced to Ten Years
 for Burglary.
Since Then Her Only Child Was Killed Almost Before Her Eyes
 and Her Sisters Have Died.

It Is an old saying that "misfortunes never come singly," and an apt illus tration came to light yesterday in the case of Josie Kelly who is in the City Prison awaiting her sentence on the charge of vagranCy.
 About a year ago Josle's husband. Patrick Kelly, was sentenced to ten years in San Quentin on the charge of burglary. He and two others broke into several residences on Pine street and the surrounding locality. At the time Kelly was arrested he was with his wife and as a quantity of the stolen property was found in their room she was also taken to the City Prison and detained for a few days.
 While Kelly and his companions were in the City Prison awaiting their pre- liminary examination, Kelly had pre- pared an ingenious scheme for mak- ing his escape. One day when his wife called upon him she was observed to secretly pass something to him. Af- ter she had gone Kelly was searched and key made of zinc and an exact duplicate of the key for opening the prison door was found upon him, be- sides four fine files. It was strongly suspected that by some means or other Kelly had obtained an impression of the key and had given it to his wife to take to a locksmith. As there was no absolute proof of her guilt no action was taken against her.
 About this time Josie was a tall handsome, healthy woman, devoted to her husband. His sentence of ten years came a few months later and in March last while she was living with her boy, a bright little fellow of six years of age. in the Brunswick House. Sixth and Howard streets, she met with her greatest misfortune. She had just left her room on the fourth floor to call upon a friend when the boy, who was amusing himself by sliding down the banisters. lost his balance and fell to the basement. being instantly killed. A friend ran after her and brought her back. She has never re- covered from the terrible shock and it was the cause of her downfall. She nursed her sorrow for a time and then sought solace in drink. To add to her misery a favOrite sister died in May last and two or three months later her other sister died.
 Recently she has been doing odd jobs in a saloon kept by Mrs. Ouers. 722 could not be overlooked, Policeman Say arrested her about l o'clock yes terday morning and locked her up in the City Prison on a charge of va grancy.
 She presented a pitiable sight as she appeared in Judge Conlans court yes terday morning. Her face was swOl- len to an unnatural size and her cough ing was painful to hear. She had no defense to offer and the Judge con- victed her and ordered her to appear for sentence this morning.
 ''I am not a vag," said Josie In the prison yesterday. '1 was intending to tO the City and COurtv HoSnital tO- day as I am suffering from bronchial troubles and was in Mrs. Ouers' sa- loon when the policeman came in and arrested me. Mrs. Ouers and some other friends will go before the Judge tomorrow morning and ask that I be discharged l have had my troubles and 1t Is hard to bear up under them, but l will promise to do my best and all that I want is good position where will be away from temptatiOn."