Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1908-02-07
AGED LADY IN NEED
Of IMMEDIATE HELP
NINETI-EIGHT YEARS OF AGE
AND RESIDES ALONE.
has Resided in a Humble Little
Cottage in the Second Ward for
Sixty YedrS-FiuSbdnd Died Half
a Century AgO-She Hes No
Relatives.

The Leader is informed Of case
of restitution and suffering almost in
the heart of Watertown, which, if
halt as bad rs pictured, should receive
immediate attention Of kind hearted
citizens of the city.
The subject is Mrs. Amann, 90
years of age, a widow, who has
resided in humble little hut in the
second ward for about sixty years,
her husband having died about half a
century ago. 1t is reported that the
old lady resides all alone and has for
years; that her means of support are
very limited and that she is badly in
mead of, many Of the necessities of
life. It is said that the house in
which she dweIIs is a mere shed,
heated only by an old couk stove and
that the floors are full of rat holes
and that the place is Infested with
rats, and making life miserable for the
aged lady. 1t is stated that one night
recently the rats in their holiness
actually crawled onto the old lady S
bed and bit her face quite severely.
The gentleman who informed The
Leader of the existing conditions
states that it seems almost incredible
that such a state of affairs could exist
here, but that it is fact and that he
wanted the attention of the public
called to it in order that the benevol-
emily inclined in the city who may
not know Of the suffering and misery
OF this unfortunate person may open
their hearts and unlOosen their purse
strings and assist deserving person.
1t is said that in the humble home of
Mrs Amann the pIasterjng is almost
d thing of the past and that over the
bed in which she sleeps, the plaster is
about ready to fall. 1t is also stated
that the home is mortgaged for $500
and that she is liable to lose the little
place she has called her home for
the aged lady say that at times she
acts somewhat childish, but otherwise
appears bright and tells many inter
esting tales Of pioneer life, having a
phenomenal memory of dates and
events.
1t is stated that recently the pastor
of the church of which she has been
4 member for seventy-five years, and
the poUr commissioner visited her
recently IN an effort to try and per-
suade the lady to go to the county
poor house, but that she refused,
preferring to remain in the old hut
she has been privileged to call her
home for SO many years.
In conversation with the chief of
police last evening. it was learned
that efforts have been made in the
past to persuade Mrs. Amann to go to
the county poor house, where she
would have comfortable hume and
receive the care she needs in her old
age. In view of the fact that she has
no relatives, it seems that she ought
TO consent to that course, although
there may be many in the city who
would willingly contribute their mite
to aid her IN her need and help to
kring little sunshine into this human
heart during the short period she has
to remain in this dream, called life.
The authorities feel that the poor
house IS the proper place tor Mrs.
Amann for the reason that she has no
one to care for her here and that it Is
extremely risky for her to be alone,
as 1t is liable that some calamity may
befall her at any time and friends and
neighbors not be able 10 aid her in an
urgent time Of need.