The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
MUCH DEST|TUTION
 FOUND IN THE CITY
Salvation Army Detail is Ren-
 dering Relief to Sufferers
TO FEED ONE THOUSAND
The Local Corps Is Now Hard at Work Arranging for Annual Christmas Characterization for
 the Children.

There is more suffering from poverty in Birmingham just now than in any city of the like size I know of in the United States"
 This statement was made by Mrs. Boucher, who with her husband and Cap tain and Mrs. Pullen of the local corps of the Salvation Army have been detailed to visit the homes of poverty stricken peo- pie of Birmingham and relieve those who are in distress.
 The detail has been at work for sev- eral days. and many sympathetic incl dents are related by them.
 Mrs. Boucher said:
 This morning two little boys, one about the age of and the other 5, came to our Sunday school barefooted. In addition to being without shoes the little fellows wore very light clothing. Of course we secured warmer clothing and a pair of new shoes for each of them.
 Cases of Distress.
 Although we have been at work but a comparatively short while we have fur nished clothing to forty-one destitute families. The other night we found a pitiful case in house on Avenue A and Eighteenth street. In dlngy little room we saw a woman lying on an old bed and about her were three children, all lit tie tots. They told me there was very little food in the house. l made an ex- animation, and found in the cupboard scarcely handful of corn meal. I im- medately sent them some coal and a basket of provisions The mother will | have to be sent to a hospital imme- diately.
 From there we visited a home on South Twentieth street, finding an aged couple almost starved to death. The wife was sick and the husband, who is a painter by trade, is disabled and cannot work. He is 52 years of age. In the lamp winch sat upon box in the room was hardly two tablespoons of oil
 We secured some food and fuel and sent it out to the poor people. The old lady told me her family doctor was willing to treat her free of charge but she had no money to have any prescrip- tions filled.
 q could relate other incidents in your city. We will continue the work and hope to receive the assistance of the good people of Birmingham
 The Salvation Army is now caring for forty or more men every night in the shelter on Second avenue A small price is charged for a comfortable bed for the night.
 Christmas Dinner.
 On Christmas day the Salvation Army will feed 1000 of the poor people of Br- mingham. Five hundred dollars in cash will be spent to provide the dinner.
 Three hundred will be fed in the head quarters at No. 2l15 Fist avenue This dinner will be for the poor who have no homes. It will begin at 1;SO o'clock and last until every one is served, who ap- plies.
 The local corps will furnish 40 baskets of food, besides giving the dinner. Each of these baskets will contain enough food for one meal for at least five people. In this way 700 more people are to be fed. The distribution of the baskets will be at the headquarters at g o'clock.
 The following is list of the supplies: 150 pounds turkey; 200 pounds beef; 100 pounds mutton; 15 bushels sweet pota- toes; 15 bushels Irish potatoes; 150 loaves bread; 100 pounds crackers; 50 cans sweet milk 200 pounds sugar; 50 pounds coffee; 50 pounds cheese; 300 mince meat pies; 800 chickens; 200 head cabbage; 8 cases celery: 50 quarts cram berries; 1 barrel pickels; 2oOo oranges; 2OOO apples.
 Christmac Tree.
 On the afternoon of New Years day the corps will give a Christmas tree to the poor children of Birmingham at the headquarters. Arrangements will be made for 200 children. The following articles will be distributed to make the hearts of the little ones glad: One hun dred dolls; 50 pair shoes; 200 pounds of candy and fruits, nuts and toys will also be distributed.
 The following are the contributors to the Christmas dinner and New Years entertainment so far received:
 First National bank. s20.
 Zamora Temple. Mystic Shriners, $25
 Mayor and aldermen of Birmingham, s25.
 Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company, $20.
 The following funds have been received from collections taken up at the churches:
 First Presbyterian church, $22. .s3.
 Central Presbyterian church. A.15
 Church of the Advent. sS.72
 Cumberland Presbyterian church, s4. .3O St. Mary's he-Highlands. $4.30
 The corps has placed an officer in charge of large iron pots on four of the prominent corners in the downtown district An average of $5 has been se- cured from each of these pots every day they have been out. Although the pots have been in use at Christmas time by the Salvation Army for many years this is the first time they have been used in Birmingham The army has placed col- lection boxes in the saloons and restau- rants and a good sum will be raised in this way.
 Marriage Licenses.
 rri oa issued from the