The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-12-01
DESERTED WIFE is DEAD
MRS. DELLA MORGAN, WHOSE HUs-
BAND WAS ARRESTED.
Her Three Little Ones Sent to the Or
phan Asylum to BE Cared
For

Mrs. Della Morgan, twenty-five years or
age. died early yesterday morning at lWS
Harlan street. Death was caused by con-
sumption. She had been i'll for nearly a
year and for the last ten weeks had Deen
confined TO her bed. Mrs. Harvey Fisher,
1905 Harlan street, in speaking OF the
deathbed scene, said: I'll never forget II.
1t was the most pitil IL thing l ever wit
messed. For weeks she realized she would
die, and when the time came she called her
mother and father to her bedside and
talked to them as long as she could. Then
she kissed n Rugged them and babe them
goodbye. Then she called her three little
children. She kissed and Rugged them, and
the little ones were frightened-s- e was so
poor and thin. They did not know what to
think. Then she called for my little daugh-
ter, who, she said, had been so good to her
during her illness, M then she kissed her
little ones again and-all was over"
Mrs. Morgan's death and incidents of her
illness were subjects of much discussion
yesterday among residents of Harlan
street, who do not hesitate to say harsh
things of her husband, julius c. Morgan,
who was tried Nov. 10 in Police Court for
wife desertion and lined 800 and costs.
Morgan took an appeal and has since
lived with his parents on South Keystone
avenue.
Mrs. Morgan first became III during the
extreme cold spell last winter. at which
time she and her three children lived in
the house. with only a small. dilapidated
cook stove to depend on for heat. the gas
having been turned off because of nom
payment of bills. One of the women living
naar her cold che had Of that time no I'M
derclothing and no dress but a thin calico.
She took a severe cold and for weeks was
confined to her bed with the grip. Neigh
bors, upon learning of her condition, rave
her and the children substantial and heavy
underwear and numerous other garments.
Many times there was no fue., and neigh
bors and friends sent wood and coal. 1000
was also sent to her.
Morgan, who was working for the Big
Four, provided poorly and it is said re-
scented the charitable acts Of the neigh
bors. Throughout the summer Mrs. Morgan
failed rapidly and about ten weeks ago
took to her bed. Five weeks ago Morgan,
it is charged, deser ed her while she was
in bed and unable to do anything for her
self. Mrs. Morgan's mother. Mrs. Beatty,
who came from Hamilton county, Ohio. to
care for her, said that a few days before
Morgan leII ne came OH lIllOAiShtcO diiu
said he had quit work and drawn his
money. She said he pulled a roll of bills
from his pocket, counted II over before MS
wife's eyes and, shaking it in her face,
said: There's $92 and you'll not get a
d-n cent AT this time the family was
being cared for by friends and the Flower
Mission. Morgan, when questioned In Po-
lice Court on this point. said he showed
his wife the money. but instead of there
being s92 there was in the roll $40. Since
the trial he had not been to see her.
At the trial two weeks ago. when as
sessing the fine of 500. Judge DAILY said he
was sorry he could not make 1t more. that
being the limit under the law, as he
thought he deserved much greater punish
ment. Neighbors and those who claim to be
familiar with the conditions which have
existed criticise Morgan severely.
The three children, Carl. seven years OF
age, Clarence, five years old, and Melville,
not yet three years old, were taken yester-
day morning. Immediately after the moth
er's death. to an orphan asylum. They were
all neatly and comfortably dressed in gar
ments provided by the Flower Mission and
~neighbors. The funeral of Mrs. Morgan
will be held at 2 p. m. to-day.