The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-30
HUNGRY MAN DIES.
New Yorker, Half Starved,
Walks Many Miles to Work.

New York. Oct. 30.-Out of work for
nearly year, Reeve c. McCashin final
ly obtained employment. There was so
little money in his home yesterday when
he started for the first days work that
he took only five cents with him.
TN walk down there said he to his
wife after the sadly scanty breakfast,
and I'll use this nickel to ride hone''
So he walked from the dingy home in
No e09 East $3.50 street. all the way to
the Sixth avenue department store
where he was to earn bread for his six
little ones. The effect was too great in
his enfeebled condition. He reached the
store; he went to work with vigor far
beyond his real strength, and he drop
ped dead.
McCashin's work was that of pack
er. Neighbors say that after he lost
steady employment he went hungry
often so that his scanty savings might
go to the buying of food for the ones
he loved. BY and by the little hoard
vanished The McCashins faced actual
starvation.
Affairs were at that pass when. on
last Saturday, luck at last turned his
way. shop needed packers for the fall
rush of trade. A friend put in an appH-
cation for MeCashin. 1t was accepted
and he was told to go to work at 8
O'Clock sharp yesterday morning.
He and his faithful wife. who had
been his great source of consolation
through all his perjury, wept and smiled
dl the news. she aWOk6 MN
bright and early yesterday. She was
sad because there was only bread and
tea fer breakfast and not much of
that, but both were glad that work had
come to the home so sadly in need of it.
All the six children were a the ia bile
and though the wife begged him TO take
the largest share of the scanty food, Tor
he needed strength, he insisted on the
little ones having their full proportion
of the bread and tea. He looked fan
from fit for \ hard davis -hov, he
arose from the table. His wife saw that
She cried out in protest when he said ell
he wanted was five cents; that he could
walk down town. She pleaded with
him, but he was logged in his self
sacrifice.
You'll need the other five cents for
milk for the children at noon," said he,
and he set out from the house, after the
kisses that nobody guessed were his
last.
The misery of that journey afoot over
the many weary miles between the far
Bronx and lower Sixth avenue never
will be told as he felt it. He was white
Of face and breathing in gasps when he
reached the shop But ne was rerVed
/ by the thought of wife and children
Of the pay day coming soon-and he
started in at his toll
The head of the department shook his
| head doubtfully as he watched the new
mans work. Plainly ne lacked strength.
But there was a feverish energy that
4
4 the boss finally said: I guess he'll do
Noon came. The other packers started
out to luncheon.
Where are you going to eat?" said one
| man to McCashin.
II don't feel hungry" was the hest
tating answer. I'll just take walk
He went out and walked the streets
half fainting He stood at doors of res
taurants and saw crowds entering and
leaving, all happy He heard women with
fat purses in their hands, discussing lang
uidly the merits of various luncheon
places. He was in agony of mind and body
when he went back to the store.
Once again he buckled to his task. A
man near him saw him stagger severa
times. At o'clock he whispered, Il wan
a drink of water and he went to a cool
er. He was raising the cup to his lip:
when a long sigh came from him and ht
fell backward
There was excitement among the shop
pers. Patrolman Ziegler called an am
bulance. The crowd of women gathered
around as DR.. Hitzroch bent over the body
on the floor.
Dead said he Heart failure
Back to the home from which he haC
gone cut to make brave mans fight Nc
Cashin was taken. The wife and the chill
Cren gathered Wailing about him.