The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-12-20
CITY NEWS
CHARITY A SCIENCE
Gases Which illustrate How the As
ISOLATED Charities Is Working
50 Prevent Pauperism.
Methods by Which Two Families
Were Kept From Becoming
Public Charges.

In his December report to the board of
directors Of the Associated Charities,
Secretary j. F. Jackson describes two
cases which, illustrate the nature Of his
work. -
The first case was that of a family
which he styles undesirable A
mother, her daughter, aged II, a son aged
16. and a son aged IS. came from Iowa to
Minneapolis about year ago. They
were Americans of limited education.
The mother. washwoman, had been di-
Norced from the father Of the children and
had separated from a second husband.
Soon after the family arrived here they
asked the Associa ted Charities to provide
work for the older boy. H. ! -
Six weeks ago another application was
made. The mother was sick and desti-
tute Her older son had long before lost
his position and left town. She was sent
to the city hospital. The younger boy was
recommended to the Union city mission.
He refused to accept accommodations
there, but slept at his old home and ran
about the streets during the day. The
daughter went to a friends house where
MT. jackson agreed to pay the girls
board. In the course Of hts investiga ton
the. secretary learned that, at the Iowa
home of the family, several years ago, a
man had been found guilty of a criminal
charge involving the daughter of the sick
~. "A
or that man afterward came here to lead
an Immoral life. She had won the af-
fections of the girls oldest brother Sub
sequently, said Mr.. jackson to-day, con
tlnu1ng his Zolaesque recital, the woman
induced the youth and his family to fol-
low her to Minneapolis. It is alleged that
she promised the mother a considerable
sum If she would sign a petition in favor
or the imprisoned man. Mr.. Jackson did
not learn that either side of this agree
ment was actually carried out A further
element Of viciousness was introduced in
a reported announcement by the dis
reputable woman that she intended to get
under her influence the 11-year-old girl.
Experience, says Mr.. Jackson. suggest
ed to him that the sons of such a family
had probably some acquaintance with re-
1ormatories. He was not surprised to
learn, upon inquiry, that the younger
boy had been sent to the Minnesota state
training school for petty larceny soon
after the family reached this city. He
was afterwards released on parole, but
mad failed to report his whereabouts
Thus the older son had proved himself
nntrustworthy but had disappeared. The
younger boy was apparently vicious
Nothing could be proved against the
mother. She was devoted to her sons.
The daughter, everybody said was good
girl. But Mr.. Jackson felt that it was
iieceSsetfy 10 FelleVe the public of the OK
pense of assisting this unlucky family.
He also wanted he says. to conserve
their welfare. After the mother left the
hospital he did not approve her desire
TO remain in Minneapolis where she could
De With her younger son and where she
would be most likely to find her older son.
If he ever came back. Mr.. Jackson wished
her to, take her daughter and return to
Iowa. After much persistence he finally
forced the mothers consent by discover
Ing that the young boy was on parole and
BY securing an order from the training
school that he shouldn't remain in Min
neapol1s. whether his mother wanted him
or not. The boy is said to have been nut
to work on a farm. The mother and her
daughter We're sent back to Iowa. The
day after she left her elder son returned
here.
The result Of Mr.. Jackson's plan was
he says, that the younger son and the girl
were laced under better influences and
the city was relieved of additional ex-
pense. He does not think that the fam
fly, if left united, could have worked GU,
a satisfactory destiny.
The second case-that Of desirable
family, concerned a disabled n1ilhand
his wife, who supported him by scrubbine
at inadequate wages and several in
dustrious children. Awaiting the mans
recovery the family were provided with
food, clothing, nursing and anedical at
tendance, the mother was afforded work
at good wages. This family, says Mr.
Jackson, will not long be a acharge upor
the city.