The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-28
A TALE OF HARD LUCK.
HI. r. Studdiford Shows How a Man
May Starve in a Big City.


H p. Studdiford, sitting in the office of
the Enterprise Hotel last night, related
how it is possible for a man to starve to
the verge of Inconsistencies in Indianapo-
lis or any other city. He is the man who
went into the office of the police station
Tuesday noon. faint and ill, and was found
to be starving. He was sent to the City
Hospital and after being we'll fed left the
hospital for the Enterprise Hotel. where he
has been roorning for two weeks. Mr.. Stud
diford had gone without food for five days
He said he was much distressed by the pub
licity he had already received.
you ask me how it is possible for a man
to starve to death in a city? There is Moth
ing remarkable in my experience. When
was in evangelistic work in the East met
many cases such as mine. A sensitive man,
possibly oversensitive, who has always
gone through the world fairly comfortable
will suffer much before he will unccvefAhis
distress to others, especially when those he
knows are but acquaintance.
For four years have been an organizer
for the Fraternal Mystic Circle I have been
fairly successful until few months ago.
Two weeks ago came to this city. ! went
to work Immediately, but met with no sue
cess. My money ran out last Wednesday.
Thursday. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Mon
day and till afternoon Tuesday 1 passed
with nothing to eat And yet, during that
time, / felt no sensation of hunger. The
first day felt something of it. but the sue
ceeding days felt only a sinking sensation
which grew stronger and stronger
During all that time" the inquirer asked,
did you not think of going to some of the
Methodist preachers here and asking for
he aRss - time. d,a .no vii, exn,a,n =
you why / did not carry out this thought
l expected check for $4 Saturday. The pre-
was encouraged. The check did not come
Saturday and ] thought it was delayed and
would arrive Monday. Monday came and no
check. Tuesday thought surely the check
would come 1t did not come and the only
thing left for me was to go to the hospital.
1 had that thought in mind when / went to
the police station. / gave them the certifi-
cate that / am a Methodist preacher in or
der they would know that I was what / as
serted myself to be. AT the hospital l was
treated well, ate a hearty dinner and feel
no evil effects of it. / guess l must have a
strong constitution. My check came this
afternoon" Studdiford says he worked dur
ing the time he was without food
Sometimes would stagger along the
sidewalk like drunken man." said he, but
/ kept on my feet SOmeway. What do pro-
pose to do now? 1 will stay here and fight
1t out. 1 would accept any position With
living wages, though it would be better for
me if I could stick at my present work.
When success does come here 1 will do we'll.
Now that know my family is to be cared
for at Kokomo am satisfied. l can stand
poverty much better than my wife and chill
dren can"
Mr., Studdiford has cultured manner. He
has been a member of the Methodist minis
try for twelve years, but has done no work
in that profession for four years because
he has abeen in the insurance business. His
family is well known in Kokomo, but its
condition was not discovered until the Jour
nal arrived at that town yesterday with an
account of the mans trouble here. The
Ne thodist church has taken the family into
it's charge. Prominent citizens of hokomo
youch for Mr.. Studdiford himself. He has
relatives in the East. He is thirty-eight
years old.