New-York tribune., 1902-02-16
PATERSON RELIEF WORK,
WOMEN OF ALL CREEDS AND POSITIONS
JOIN IN HELPING THOSE MADE
DESTITUTE BY THE FIRE.

Social festivities are postponed indefinitely in
Paterson, y. J., and chaperons. debutantes and
society folks generally devoting their ener-
giles TO succoring the sufferers from the great fire
of last Sunday. Private turnouts too. have gone
into commission. All working together on the
relief committee headed by the Rev. DR.. D. Stu
art Hamilton, pastor Of St Pauls Episcopal
Church. Subcommittee have been organized with
such homely but practical heads Clothes fur
niture' Stoves" dishes" coal" provisions"
sewing and ''refreshments"
The parish house Of St Paul's Church is the
headquarters Of the enterprise. The big Sunday
school has been the centre of activities
throughout the week. and in place of the usual
banners and notices. its walls have worn such
legends "men's underwear" 'women's gar
ments, bedding" Kitchen utensils and the
like. The 500 children of the Sunday school will
meet in their usual place to-day, but tomorrow
morning the regular furnishings will again disap-
pear and the work of relief be resumed
The basement Of the parish house IS occupied by
those in charge of refreshments and by the sew
ing committee. Every day scores of homeless peo-
pie receive sandwiches and coffee Several hundred
new garments have been made and many old ones
repaired.
WARM HEARTED GENEROSITY.
ut is almost worth such a catastrophe" said
one OF the busiest Of the women yesterday TO
ind such warm hearted generosity pervadng the
community. Contributions which have included
everything that could be used in household have
come not only from the rich and well 10 do bpt
from the poor. There have been instances where
people have taken the blankets and comfortabIes
\ from their own beds for those who are destitute
n and people who looked they needed help them
selves have brought here bundles OF sunnlies
Surely now. We shall lose the stigma of anarchy
which has hung us and which we who love
the city have felt keenly Out of the ashes is ris-
Ing a new Paterson. whose reputation will be
cleared by the display of brotherly love and civic
Independence
IL was while the flames still raging on Sun
iay AFTERNOON that the organization for relief work
began. A mass meeting called in St Psul's
Church at which were present representatives from
nearly all the churches and societies in the CITY
The Charity League composed of about forty wom-
sn, with Mrs Franklin Van Wrinkle as president Of
tered its services. 1t formed about a year ago
Tor work among the poor. All society and denomI-
national lines were at abandoned and all
merged their energies in the work Of the relief
committee.
All applications investigated One hears such
salls from the master of ceremonies Dr. HamiI-
ton. "A carriage is at the door. Who will look
sp three cases at once?' Immediately the reuui-
ute number Of visitors start. Meanwhile people
Foung and old, coming and going continually.
An old man was heard TO say: Yes have the or
der for lodging for two weeks and comfortable
clothes" Then. as he tried to express his thanks
ais voice broke with emotion and he turned
abruptly away.
SOME OF THE DESTITUTE ONES.
In another part OF the room a mother and three
children were watching the big bundle which WIS
oeng made up for them. In II were mems clothes
.hildren's garments and clothes for the mother
Besides, there sheets and bedding Other
groups were selecting bedsteads. springs mat
resses, bedding kitchen utensils chairs and tables
woman of evident wealth was trying assist
3 young workman into overcoat, which was
warm. but a close fit. A little child, tired with
The wandering and confusion. walled Mamma l
want to go home" and the mothers eyes filled with
tears. Conspicuous in the gathering were young
wives. former factory girls. whose little savings
all spent in furnishing humble homes, and
Kho lost everything.
Many OF the people told how the night of the
IRE they removed their household goods safely
rom their houses only 10 them burn on the
street before truck could be found to transport
them TO a place OF safety. Others said with tri-
amph: Il saved my sewing machine. and IL is all
ge have left" With the thrifty working class the
sewing machine is apt to be the prize possession
and Il was that that was remembered in many
,sses, and for 1t more than woman risked her
afe.
AT long table at side of the room were seat
I'd dozen young girls. helping Mrs. John s. Cook
10 make orders merchants and landlords
No money is given but in all cases two weeks
board is paid orders given for provisions
ana the necessary furnishings and utensils with
which to re-establsh the home. Since Mrs Cook
signs ali orders. she has been constantly on hand
during the entire week.
The entire care of distributing clothing has been
assumed by the Mothers Chapter Of St Paul's
church. under the leadership OF Mrs Sparkman
knd Its members have supplemented their work bv
meeting evenings TO tie comfortables
Fully two hundred and fifty families comprisinp
more than one THOUSAND people were made home