The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-28
LEPER WOULD NOT,
CARESS HIS WIFE
John Early Says He Will
Abstain for Their Sake.
Spends Restless Morning.

lmbued with hope 10y reports from
North Carolina that his wife and child
had left Asheville for Washington, John
Early, the ieper spent one OF the most
restless mornings since his isolation
eight days ago. Early himself at noon
lad heard nothing from his wife and
Is the hours progressed the suspense
seemed to become more ana more ul-
bearabIe.
Il only hope that it IS true" he said
for the longing Tor the sight OF ruy
wife and baby is the only thing that
keeps ms from being comparatively
happy. My wifes failure TO write me
az her intention has led me To hope
that she was endeavoring 10 raise funds
10 come To me"
Would you abstain from caressing
your wife and child" the leper was
asked
Yes, L believe I would for their sake.
he said. 1T might not be the best for
them. no matter bow hard it is for me-
Early has hopes that his wife ana
baby may reach Washington early this
afternoon OmciaIs of the Health De-
partment have not been advised as yes
of her intention to join her husband.
although they would not be surprised
II the woman should come here.
Say Place Is Damp.
The location upon which EarIy's tent
Is situated was roundly scored and de-
scribed as damp. unfit for a human
being and eX-soldier TO live upon" and
'sIcklv, wet marsh" at a meeting of
Union Garrison Army and Navy Union
last night, at which a message Of sym
pathy was sent the unfortunate man.
Several speakers denounced the Health
Department and the quarters selected
for the leprous patient and members
OF the union agreed TO use their influ-
euce 10 have the site of the Ieper's tent
changed.
1T is no place for a man who Ia
served his country" said William e
Hickey, a former soldier in the Philip
pines himself Cannot the Health De-
partment provide a better location than
this damp slckly, marshy ground" Other
speakers denounced the apparent indIf-
ference of the department in placing
the sick man in small tent near the
jail and workhouse and on the ea.s Of
the potter's field. and the United States
Government was scored for not de-
handing that better quarters shoula be
given q man who had fought for the
fiag.
LCLtSL u sympathy.
1t was voted 10 send the following let
ter of sympathy TO Early, TO he signed
by Gen. William r. Barry. Admiral D.
d. Porter, Col Theodore Roosevelt. and
Cen Guy Y. Henry.
Mr., John r. Early-Dear comrade:
Learning of your afdiction. and desiring
10 add with the other good citizens of
our community that God, in His infinite
goodness, may soon grant YOU speedy
recovery. and that YOU may soon be
able 80 he with your loved ones. is the
wish Of Your comrades of the Army and
Navy Union, numbering nearly I,OU9 COR
mer soldiers, sailors. and marines"
Dr.. MacLean Speaks.
DR.. Harry MacLean. acting Health
Officer said the spot chosen for Early's
tent was the most desirable one that
could be found in the District. under
the law governing such matters 1T is
necessary that NE be kept within the
rercincts Of the District reservation on
which the jail, the workhouse. and the
patter's ield and contagious hospitals
are located said Dr. MacLean. His
tent is large and roOmy, equipped with
an oil stove, and his food and attention
The best. Its location is neither sickly
Wet. nor marshy. Tt Is 100 or perha IS
150 yards distant from the river
Those who CTiticise should remember
that this was the only available spot,
aHur besides IL mas not been perma-
nently decided 10 keep Early here. II
We do. d house will be built for him.
and the best Of care afforded"
Appreciates BETTER.
Early said today that he appreciated
very much the letter of sympathy draft
ed by the Army and Navy Union IaSt
evening. Mach of the leper's time in
fact is taken up in reading private mes
sages of sympathy. the morning mail
frequently containing "a score or more
of such missives. Some Of them have
contained donations
Il feel confident that my wife is coFfS1
ing here said the leper. reverting TO
the one subject ever IN his mind Nat
urally. she fears that / may be sent to
Ieper colony before she has an op-
poTtunity TO see me and she viii make
an effort 10 come, I feel sure, since
cannot go to her
Early seems rather disappointed that
the officials of North Carolina are TAX
ing so much time to decide upon the
disposition OF his case and the guards
say he gets quite TnorOSe IT times when