The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-11-13
DAILY CALLS FOR HELP
TRUSTEE MAKEPEACE Is BEsIEGED
WITH APPLICATIONS.
Many Pathetic Incidents Come Under
His OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Beg
gars Are Not Given Aid.

With a face pinched from hunger, his
small brown eyes glistening with tears,
little chap OF probably ten years experience
in this big world asked in lisping words of
one Of the clerks at the township trustees
office one day last week for assistance. He
wore small cap that had probably adorned
his head for many months and had no doubt
been handed down to him from one Of his
older brothers. He possessed ragged over
coat to help keep the chilly blasts away
from his frail little body, but his legs and
feet were bare. He fairly shivered with
cold as he entered. He had been in the
Office before. as he IS one of family of
several small children, whose mother is not
in a condition 10 work hard TO support
them. Their father died some dime ago
drank himself to death as many other faith
ers have done before. The boy stated. in
answer to a question from the kind clerk,
that he was going to school now, but he was
very hungry. He was given an order on a
grocer for some food and went away as
happy as boy who has nothing in the
world to worry him.
The next caller was an aged Irish woman,
who tottered to the wire window with an
unsteady step, and in a faltering voice
was in the office at the time and he recog-
nized the old lady as the mother of a man
who is serving a term in the workhouse.
She depended upon her wayward son for
support, and as he was in a place where he
could not help her she was forced to fall
back on the township for assistance. The
case was Of such a nature that Trustee
Makepeace could not give her the aid she
be necessary for her to go TO the County
Poor Farm, where she could be assisted.
The name Of the poorhouse seemed to be
more than the poor old woman could stand,
for she exclaimed In a voice choking With
sobs: My God, 1 could never go TO the
poorhouse: l would die first" She was
visibly affected and the kind heart Of the
trustee was melted with sympathy for her.
He could not give her any of the townships
money, but he went into his own pocket
and assisted her materially.
And so they call day in and day out.
There Is no place in the city where human
nature can be so readily and thoroughly
studied Many sad and true tales are re-
lated 10 the trustee that show the priva-
tons suffered by many OF the inhabitants
of this growing city. It is now nearing the
time OF year when the trustees office re-
ceives callers most frequently. During the
summer many of the persons who call at
that office for assistance spend their win,
ters at the county infirmaEy and depend
wholly on the county for their existence.
When spring comes they leave the county
farm to avoid doing work there for their
living, but they are back again the next
winter; In the meantime getting what aid
they can from the trustee
The trustees office is also besieged by
the transient poor, and in order to aid
many worthy people who need assistance
Trustee Makepeace does all in his power
for them. A few days ago disappearing
young man and woman called at the office
and told story about having been strand
ed with a cheap theatrical company in
small town In eastern Indiana. They were
without money. but were anxious to get to
Evansville, where they would try to win
fame in some other less prominent occupa-
ton than standing before the glazing foot
lights. Their condition was really one of
restitution, and they were in a large city
without friends. The trustee did not send
put his hand into his own resources and
furnished them with part Of the money nee
essary to take them to Evansville. Trus-
tee Makepeace says that many times In
order to help people he has taken things
OF no value to him as security for money
he might loan them. A young fellow called
at his Office some time ago and stated that
IL he could get to an Illinois town he could
get good position. All he had in the world
was a small bundle of clothes, worth some
not worth storage room. The young man
wa3 in sore distress at being refused trans
portation and he pledged his little bundle
of clothes in order to get to Illinois. After
he got start in his new home Trustee
Makepeace was very much surprised one
day to receive a letter from him with money
inclosed to pay off his debt.
There are many instances similar TO
these, but all applicants do not receive as
sistance. for the country is full of profess
the trustee can tell the worthy applicant
from the one who is professional.