The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-11-07
MAN SAID TO Be IN
GOOD CIRCUMSTANCES
His Excuse Is That His Mother Once
Had Money and it Was Her Own
Fault That She Had Not Provided
For the Rainy Day-Pioneer Of
Hammond.

Because her only son. who is said
70 be in good circumstances in Chi
cago. declined to undertake the sup
port of his aged mother. one OF the
pioneers of Hammond viii be taken TO
Crown Point tomorrow to become an
inmate OF the county poor house
The unfortunate woman is Mrs.
Harry Johnson who formerly was well
Off, but whom III health and advancing
age have combined to render a charge
upon the county. The son who refused
to contribute 10 his mothers support,
Is Thomas Hogan. He holds a posi-
tion with the IIin Casket company.
Chicago. and his only child. o boy OF
IS. is self supporting. having n po-
stion as bookkeeper. Yesterday Mrs.
Johnson who has been living with
Mrs, Elizabeth Green. ~ State street.
and who has been bedridden for year,
started for the poor farm at Crown
Point The automobile In which she
rode was owned by J. ". McMullen.
On reaching Conkey avenue, II collided
with a telegraph pole and the inmates
were all thrown out. Mrs. Johnson
was brought back to the Green home
ard in. the meantime it was learned
Ithat the womans son. by a former
his mother. The unfortunate woman's
heart grew high with hope. as she be-
lieved she foresaw In her son a means
OF deliverance from the almshouse.
But she was doomed to disappoint-
ment
Standing beside his mothers bedside
this morning Tom Hogan thrust a
dollar bill into his mothers hand. lie
had taken two bills from his pocket.
but his wife who was standing be-
side him. it is said nudged him in time
| and instead of giving his mother the
two as he had at first intended he
drew back.
Why should I do anything for you
now?" he Std. There was a time when
you had lots Of money but you did not
/ foresee the rainy day
The wretched woman in reply.
pleaded with the man who stood be-
side her, to contribute So week
toward her support. She told him If
he would do this Mrs. Green would
allow her to remain with her.
L can't afford it, was the sons
reply.
To her plea that ne might spare her
a little room in his home the son
turned a deaf ear A LAKE COUNTY
TIMES reporter found Mrs. Johnson IN
| the little room that had been provided
for her in the Green home. She was
confined TO her bed as she had been dur
ing the past year.
Speaking OF the accident to the ma
chine in which she rode when she first
started or for the poor house she said:
Yes. It was the first automobile ride
have ever had and It might have been
better for me had they picked me "
for dead They will come for me al
S O'Clock tomorrow morning to take ms
TO the poor house" She continued. =
visited a poorhouse once when l was
girl sixteen years OF age I went viii
friend from Kentucky to see an ol,
lady To me it looked more like q mad
house than a poor farm and ! only hops
that they will treat me right at Crown
Point am sure don't want to nlak'
trouble for anybody l have made
made lots Of money in my day and +
2 ] were well I surely would not asi
anybody for anything. But it hurts I,
]. think that an only son would trea
his mother the way / am being treated
{ When / had money he got as rsuch al
t he wanted to spend. once. / refnember
: gave him 800. never learned wha
] he did with ii or how fast he spent Il
r stln. / can't blame Tommy for II all
: for he is greatly influenced by hi
s wife"
Mrs Johnson IS one Of the pioneer
OF Hammond. having first been marrie'
to a man BY the name Of Hogan an,
later to one Cooper. Her third hus
band, Harry Johnson, deserted heI
She formerly kept a large boarding
/ house. having for long time been IS
! tabmshed IN the Central block and late
at the Morton house.