The Oskaloosa herald., 1906-05-10
HAD NO FOOD FOR
EIGHTEEN DAYS
LITTLE SHELTER AND NO BED
BUT A WisP OF STRAW.
The SAD CASE OF ] W UNwIN
Sixty Years Old, Pennlless and With
out Friends He Was Patiently
Awaiting Death When Found
in An Old Shack.

In a deserted house, hut with
neither doors nor windows, ]. w. I'm
win, railroad telegrapher, aged 60,
past the years Of usefulness and with.
out friends, lay for eighteen days
without food or other than the thin
clothing upon his person, and await
ed death. In this poor shelter through
which the wind sucked as though it
would drawtthe man himself through
the glassless windows or the ram.
shackle door that could not be closed,
Irwin spent three weeks like ages,
awaiting a death which he knew must
be near, awaiting and welcoming the
last sleep which would carry his brok-
en- spirit to another world. With the
nights chilling and raw, with frost and
cutting winds, the man lay alone, with
out covers, without even an overcoat
to cover his thin-worn clothes, on a
wisp of straw thrown hastily together
in one corner of the hovel, just west
of the Currier mill along the Rock
Island railroad track.
Not morsel Of food passed I'm
wins lips during those three long
weeks of waiting, according to his
story, but good we'll on the place
furnished him with water.
Neighbors who had seen the man
about the hut believed him insane and
after three weeks called the officers,
and Constable Woodruff after visiting
the poor fellow brought him into os'
kaloosa where he awaits developments
in his condition, in the county JAIL
Unwin is a telegrapher In the rail-
road service. On his person he bears
letters of high accommodation from
railroads for which he has worked.
Three weeks ago he came to Oskaloo-
sa from Albert Lea, where he has spent
the winter, seeking work at the Iowa
Central offices. Since December,
when he lost his position in Mime
apolis, he had been without employ
ment He presented his application
and his credentials, but was broken by
winter of privation. Too proud to
beg he was hungry and weak, and
broken and gray. you are too old"
they told him.
Unwin left the Central offices and
crossed to the Rock Island depot.
There was nothing for him. Sick at
heart, he stumbled out along the track
east. His walk was drag of tired
body and broken spirit. He was
struggling along to the rrst town. At
the side of the railroad he saw the de.
serted house and stopped. Home
less, without relatives or friends, with.
out work, he had nothing to live for.
And he pulled some straw together in
one corner of the howell and lay down
to die. God only knows how ever
got this far" he told Captain Wood
ruff
Unwin had fever when found by
the officer. His heau hurt him and
his mind seemed slightly to wander.
He was brought to the Jail for treat
ment of the county physician. He
cared not what was done with him.
The man told the officers he had no
home, nor friends. He has two sons,
but knows where neither Of them Is.
He has no place that he wants to go.
Although he ate rayenously at the
Jail when food was first given him, he
declared that he cared not whether he
lived or died.
The man will be treated for a few
days by the county hpysician and fol-
lowing, if he desires, will be sent to
any friends he wishes. Otherwise, he
will probably be taken to the poor
farm, and given a chance to end his
life peacefully, and amid plenty.
He is a well read man, and has had
considerable education. The officers
suspect that fondness for liquor is
at the bottom of his trouble, yet when
offered whiskey as a stimulant the
man refused it. "a drink would only
make me thirsty" he said. God
knows l am thirsty enough now"
Unwin while in town sought assist
ance from local telegraphers. He stat
ed that he had been sick Several Of
the boys contributed to HIS relief at
that time.