The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-04
PENNILEss, LIVED IN LUXURY.
MacCartons' Had a Beautiful House,
but Paid Not Penny for 1t.

From the New 4Ork Worlu
Philadelphia, April 27.--Many people in
Philadelphia would like to know what mas
become of the acCartons-mother, four
daughters and one son. Among the In
orirers are two landlords, twelve miiii-
ners. seven florists, ten modistes, seven
tailors. three jewelers., four liyerymen,
Ave caterers four fruiters( besides
butchers, grocers, bakers, newsdealers
and druggists galore, to say nothing OF
enc optician.
For two years this remarkable family
lived on the best Philadelphia had, save
when creditors. pressed them too hard,
and then the daughters sold flowers In
the streets for an ostensible charity. In
reality they got the flowers from fash
ionable Tourists ON credit and sold them
to get money for food.
MacCarton, Mcbride and Clarke-they
have used all three names They may
oven now be in New York under
fourth name. They disappeared sudden
ly yesterday, leaving word to send adj
rail and kilograms to the Holland House,
New York.
without a penny these people for
year and a half have had everything
money might buy. They have driven
superb eouipages and dned at sumptu-
Gus boards: they have worn splendid
gowns, have had jewelry, bric-a- brac, art
works, furnishings. Yet poverty was ever
knocking for entrance, and the father,
now no longer knows his family, sweeps
out a saloon for glass Of whisky and
bed at night
TradespeopIe Were Eesy.
The MacCartons appeared here in Feb
ruary, 1900. Mrs. MacCarton was aristo-
cratic looking, of a Southern type, and
she found no difficulty in renting the fine
mansion at No. 3041 North Broad street,
She was Mrs. Joseph Mcbride. and was
expecting remittances from the South.
Even then her husband was doing odd
Jobs around a saloon In Race street for
a drink, meal and a bed She had left
him years ago.
With her was a girl of 81, her daugh-
ter Lilly. This beauty was fashionabIy
gowned. Mother and daughter had just
come from New Orleans and wished TO
take a two-year lease. No prepayment
was asked of such desirable tenants and
they moved in.
There were four other children-three
pretty girls and younger than Lillye, and
a boy Frank, 10 years old. The FASH
ionable address and the smart attire OF
the family got them all the credit they
needed. First OF the victims was the liv-
eryman. He agreed to give a monthly
service. The rest was easy.
Tradesmen fell all over themselves 70
fill orders. There were new gowns. hats.
jewelry, pictures, bric-a-brac, household
supplies, fiowers-all ordered without
stint The home in Broad street looked
like a palace.
Family Almost Starved.
The family almost starved amidst
their luxury. Then caterers were or
dered to serve elaborate banquets In the
fine house, and did so gladly. Each night
supmtuous meal was spread by the
guileless purveyors.
When bills came In they were met with
this courteous reply:
MRS. Mcbride begs TO acknowledge
your communication. and to state that,
while regretting the necessity OF post
ponement, prompt settlement will be eff
fected upon receipt Of her income check"
Most OF the creditors bit at this bait
and sevral allowed more charges to be
added to their accounts. Suddenly the
landlord sued for his rent and attached
the household furnishings. The credi-