The evening times., 1899-03-15
PATHETIC Case OF
THE SAMAR FAMILY
Father a Consumptive and
Mother Takes to Drink.
Three Little Children Compelled to
Beg in the Streets.
Story of DESTINATION Following Mis-
fortune-Womnn Given
Chance to Reform.

Pathetic incidents abounded in the Po-
lice Court today. One that touched the
hearts of both the court and spectators,
was the case of Pauline Samar, who was
arraigned on the charge of vagrancy. Of
ficer Gordon said that nine months ago the
Samar home on E Street between Fifth
and Sixth Streets northwest, was happy
and comfortable one and that the woman
was a good wife and mother. Her husband,
who is a tailor, was taken i'll with con-
sumption and rapidly declined. He was
removed to the hospital yesterday and no
hope is entertained for his recovery.
Since her husbands Illness said the po-
Iiceman the woman has been drinking
heavily and has been intoxicated almost
every day. Just how she has obtained the
money for her dissipation the policeman
was unable to say, but she had frequently
been seen begging on the street.
Neghbors have tried to help her and
frequently gave the woman money to be
spent in providing for the destitute fami-
ly, but, said the officer. she invariably
spent the gifts for whisky. The officer
further testified that the woman had three
bright little children, whom she sent on
the street TO beg and that the money OBJ
aimed by them was also squandered in
dissipation. Yesterday" said the police
man, after Samar was taken to the hos
pital, ] was told that his wife was lying
in the house and horribly intoxicated.
When l entered / found her lying on the
floor apparently in a stupor. After pick
ing her up found a half empty bottle OF
alchohol in her possession and immediate
lV took her the StatiOnhOuSp
The bottle of liquor was exhibited and
found TO contain the most poisonous quail
ity of wood alcohol. Judge" said the Big
hearted policeman my object in arrest
! ing the woman was net so much to punish
her as to try and reform her."
The story as told by the woman's three
little children was peculiarly pathetic
one. Come around here little girl" said
Judge Kimball, to bright-faced child,
scarcely over twelve years of age, "and tell
me ABOUT this The little one, her voice
trembling with emotion. then related the
story of her home life. She said that her
father was taken i'll about nine months ago
and that shortly after her mother began TO
drink. 4 was made 10 go down 10 the
Bijou Theatre and dance" said the child,
and mamma used the money 10 get drunk
on The child said that her two little
brothers were also sent out or the street
10 btE, anu were tOiu 10 say lndI lHeiT
father was sick and the family starving
One Of the little boys stated that his moth
er was drunk almost every day, and did no
work around the house When we got
any money" said the little fellow. mother
always spent over half of it for whisky
The children further testified that they
were abused by their mother when they re-
fused TO comply with her demands TO go out
and beg. The children told the Judge that
they had been unable to go TO school dur
ing the winter and had been exposed TO
much suffering. All three of them dis
played unusual intelligence and showed
much feeling while telling the judge the
story of their mothers life during the past
nine months
All the time that the children were tes-
tfying the woman looked at them with
tears streaming down her face She was
then called 10 the stand. Between sobs
she related to the judge the story of her
life. She was born in Poland and came
TO this country when only q child. She
met and loved Samar who was a prosper
Gus tailor. They were married some years
ago and life was happy one. When her
husband was taken sick she became very
despondent and commenced 10 drink Sick
ness aggravated her troubles and she lost
all control of herself. Il don't know what
made me act so, but If you Will show mercy
I'll try 10 reform" said the woman, burst
ing into tears.
III give you a chance, said the Judge
but you'll have to show me your sincerity
in this matter before you can take charge
of these little children" The woman was
released on her personal bonds and the
children were turned over 10 the Board
of Children's Guardians.