The Washington times., 1908-09-02
John Early Says His Only
Hope Is TO Have Wife
and Baby Near Him.
DEPENDS ON PUBLIC
TO HOUSE FAMILY
May Be Removed to Soldiers
Home, So He May Be Technically
a Member of Institution.

Deeply grateful that the Government
had decided 70 award him d pension
and also that voluntary contributions
from the generous public of Washington
would make possible the fitting up of a
little cottage for his wife and child,
who can thus be near him, John Early,
the lsper of washington, was in no
ticeaDly more cheerful mood this morn
ing.
The Pension Commissioners de-
cision that l am entitled to a pension
lifts a weight from me-" he said. My
wife and baby will be provided for as
soon as the technicalities are out of
the way and the money can become
available. The fund which the people
Of Washington are now subscribing
through The Times is glorious help,
for ii means that my wife and baby
may take a little cottage near me.
something that might have been impos-
sible had we not been thrown among
such charitable people. This is what
we plan 10 do with the Money, and
when at last see them so situated and
know that the Government will care
for thsm in the future. I viii be as
happy as it is possible for a leper 10
be"
Is Told About Home
Early was told that officials OF the
Pension Bureau and the War Depart
ment contemplated erecting him a home
near the Old Soldiers Home. In order
that he might be technically consider
ed an inmate OF that institution, thus
permitting the officials at the home TO
/ sign the pension vouchers and disburse
the money. Early cannot be permitted
10 touch the pension papers. nor will
he be allowed 10 handle the money it,
self
II had just as soon remain here in
my tent off the Eastern Branch the
sick man said Tesignedly today, ''It
is matter for the authorities and, Of
course, / go wherever they decide TO
put ne Ny whole thought now IS 70
nave my wife and child near me
whether / stay here or not. ! know I
VIII receive kind and considerate treat
meno wherever I am That much has
( been shown me"
Must Maintain Guard.
DIP. Harry MacLean. acting Health
officer. said today that the District
Health Department would offer no OBJ
lection 10 the removal OF Early 10 the
Soldiers Home grounds. If the War De-
partment sc ordered. but that the Dis
triet would still be charged with the
necessity OF maintaining a quarantine
so long as he remained on District soil.
I'VE must maintain guard. for It
is up to the Health Department TO see
that the citizens of Washington are not
exposed TO the disease. As 1 under
stand the suggested new arrangements.
however, Early must feed and support
himself out of his pension, the Dis
trict bearing the expenses of the quar-
antine only
Earlys admission to the home. if ac-
cOmpiished at ali, cannot be until prob
ably the latter pc TT of this month, in
asmuch as the board of managers of
the home have to pass upon the 1ues-
ton, which will be presented by Judge
Advocate General Davis or the War
Department. If Early is admitted IL
viii be an exceptional case, as only
those soldiers discharged by reason OF
dlsabllity are ordinarily admissible,
Earlys disability developed after his
discharge from the service
VIII Get s72 Monthly.
Early is TO be allowed a pension of
So per month. this amount, as an
nounced exclusively in The Times yes
terday, having been definitely decided
upon and ordered by Pension Commis-
sioner Warner.
The money, however. cannot be at
cnce available for the stricken man and
his family on account of legal techni-
caiities It has been found impossible
to appoint Mrs. Early as a guardian
for ner husband, nor can he bestOw the
power of attorney. Therefore although
the money Will be ready for Early be-
fore the end of the present week, there
is no one 10 receive It, and il is likely
that the man must be admitted to the
Soldiers Home before anyone will be
legally authorized to accept the pension.
/ Th.s peculiar state of affairs is Worry-
/ ing Early and the pension authorities
not little. inasmuch as his wife. IN
/ the meantime. is dependent entirely
tngton and The Times Early Fund.
Gets Back Pension.
Another gratifying bit OF news to the
destitute family viii be the decision
reached at the Pension Office today to
allow Early a back pension, probably
at So per month, from the date Of his
original application eighteen months
ago. This greatly reduced rate must
be paid because Early is considered as
being but partially disabled up to the
time he was isolated here. The rate Of
! 81 il available from August 30 only.
The guards in attendance at EarIv's
/ tent are constantly beSieged with per-
sons of all classes who profess to he
able to cure the leper. These persons
are all turned back as soon as they
come within hailing distance and are
/ told to carry their panGceaa TO the
Health Department. Salves. ointments
liquids. faith cures and others
/ are continually suggested some of
] the would-be healers bringing their
medicines with them In many
| cases the visitors grow indignant
1 when refused access to the leper
and denounce it as "a perfect shame
that the man should be allowed to die
when I have something that will cure
him Immediately"
Gets Many Messages.
Early continues TO receive many mes
sages of sympathy and exhibits a
Christian fortitude that is remarkable.
Now that the trial of n ting his wife
and baby. without + allowed 10
touch his loved 1l-s IS over, Early