Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-27
LIVING IN SQUALOR
HORRIBLE CONDITION
IN HOME OF ISAIAH WOOD.
Case Reported to Health Office and
Wood, Who is Sick, Removed
to Hospital.

A horrible condition of affairs was found
to exist in the home of Isaiah Wood, col
ored, at 102 Madison alley, when DR.. Lewis
]. Battle of 3O6 E street was called there
today by the police to attend the man, and
the matter was promptly reported to the
health officer and board of charities. Wood
was removed to Freedmans Hospital, and
the health officials will see to the matter
of putting the rooms he occupied in SAM
tary condition.
The old man pays $3.50 a month for two
rooms which he has occupied for about five
years. On the upper floor of the building
the rooms are rented to colored people.
These people and others in the neighbor-
hood have assisted in providing food for
Wood during the past few days, and it is
probably due to their thoughtfulness that
he did not die for want of nourishment.
When DR.. Battle reached the house he
found it almost impossible to enter the
apartments occupied by Wood because of
the immense quantity Of cast-off clothing.
pieces of old furniture. ashes and rubbish
found in every part of the two rooms.
They were piled on the floor and suspended
from the ceiling, and in some instances
even nailed to the walls. The condition
of the place indicated that 1T had not been
cleaned since the present occupant took
possession.
/ Dr. Battle found the elderly man lying
upon his bed, and near him was a small
cooking stove in which there was a wood
fire. On trunk was lighted lamp, but
there was no chimney to prevent the smok-
ing blaze from adding SCOT to the already
blackened surroundings. The bed on which
the sick man was resting was about four
feet thick. and was constructed of mat
tresses and old clothing, which were COW
cred with dirt and dust.
Has Been Sick Two Weeks
A board nailed partly over the doorway
made the opening smaller than 1t would
otherwise have been, and it was impossible
to enter without STOPPING. Two weeks ago
Wood was taken sick. He worked at
breaking stone and doing other odd jobs
for contractors, but because of his age he
had been unable to labor much during the
past two or three months. Two weeks ago,
as stated, he was forced to give up work
entirely Since then he has lived in this
dark and dingy ROOM which is not venti-
lated. and where he was visited only by the
colored neighbors. and their visits were not
frequent. Besides suffering from an attack
of the grip Wood was weakened for the
want of proper food. Despite the surround
ings, which indicated poverty of the worst
kind. it was believed by neighbors that the
old man had money, and some of them were
of the opinion that he had hundreds of dol
lars hidden in the rubbish.
Alleges He Was Robbed.
Speaking to a Star reporter this morn
ing, Wood said he had never been able to
save much money. A week ago, he stated,
he had SIS, but somebody robbed him OF
$40. and he now has only about 81 in cash.
II don't know how old 1 is he said,
''but I was born long before the war and
l came here the day President Cleveland
was first inaugurated."
He said he was born in Virginia between
Charlottesville and Lynchburg. and he has
sister living in Basic City. Va. Her name
is Rosie Cousins. She will be notified Of
her brothers illness.
When Dr. Battle suggested this morning
that the old man should go to the hospital
he objected and said he was afraid to go
to such place. He had never been in a
hospital, but had heard about them.
when man Is going to de-" he said,
'he can't help 1t, and would rather die at
home than In a strange place"
He was finally persuaded to go, and the
ambulance was sent to remove him.
The police say that Woods abode is one
of the flthiest places they have ever seen,
and consider 1t strange that they had not
been told of 1t long ago. 1t Is believed they
would not have been informed Of 1T today
had not the sick man fallen to the floor
owing to his weakened condition It IL
thought that Wood Is between seventy-five
and eighty years old.