Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-27
A PENSION FOR EARLY
Districts Leper Is Doubtless
Eligible Under Law.
CAN THEN SUPPORT FAMILY
May Get $72 Month and Special
Allowance.
UNCLE SAM WON'T INTERFERE
Will Probably Let This City Take
Care of the Sufferer for
Good Reason.
UNCLE SAM WON'T INTERFERE

probably get a pension from the United
States for total disability. and will thus
be able to support his family in North
Carolina, at least in part. He may also
get a special allowance for an attendant.
There is doubt about his eligibility, ac-
cording to pension office officials who ex-
pressed an opinion on Early's case today.
The matter of pension has been taken
up officially with the pension bureau and
there only remains to be proved that
Early contracted the disease in the serv-
ice in order that he may be put on the
pay roll. He must be total disability
pensioner if he is one at all, and as the
disease progresses his allowance can be
increased up to s72 month, besides the
allowance for special attendant, which
is done in cases requiring such care. No
official action has yet been taken. but
there seems little doubt that it will be
soon.
Because the question has several times
arisen since the discovery of a case Of
leprosy in the District whether the War
Department would assume responsibility
for the Nleper in case it is established that
he contracted the disease while in the
regular army, Harry c. Mclean, acting
health officer of the District, today made
inquiries on the subject. He interviewed
u.
Department. and who stated that there
is no colony or settlement for lepers
within the department jurisdiction.
Last Hope Gone.
This removes the last hope that some
way might be found to relieve the District
of Columbia of responsibility for the
care of Early in case the state of North
Carolina, his home state, refuses to re-
ceive him. No further communication has
been received from the officers OF the
state board of health of the Tar Heel
state, and nothing remains for the Dis
trct health department but to await the
determination by the attorney general OF
North Carolina of the question of re-
sponsibility for one of. its citizens found
in such predicament as Early's in
another jurisdiction.
1t has been estimated by the officers of
the local health office that the care of
Early. including the payment of the three
guards who maintain the quarantine
about the lepers tent on the shore of the
Eastern branch, costs the District of Co
lumbia about $14 each day, and this
amount is paid out of the regular appro-
priation for the contagious disease serv-
ice. Except for the necessity of keeping
morbidly curious persons at safe dis
tance and to prevent the annoyance of the
unfortunate man the health officers feel
confident that it would not be necessary to
maintain the guards at the quarantined
tent. because Early is one of the most
tractable patients who has ever been
under the health office supervision.
The first night he was taken from his
room in the mission at 119 pennsylvania
avenue and before the tent for his perma-
nent occupancy was erected. Early slept
in one of the health department ambu-
lances, and he made no effort TO escape
either at that time or at any time since.
In fact he has manifested absolute
l1t,,rr -hnr a.
thing that the authorities deem best. his
whole attitude bespeaking a determine
ton to bear the affection bravely and to
save his fellowmen from all danger of in
lection
Can Pray Himself.
In several interviews yesterday and
this morning Early said he did not pro-
pose to seek the aid of Christian Sci
ence. He expressed gratitude for the
prayers offered in his behalf. but said
he felt he was as capable of healing
himself by prayer as would be any other
person.
Faith in God Is the element neces-
sary Sor the performance of miracle"
Early declared and if it is the will of
the Jehova that l am to be relieved OF
this suffering then | will be cured. not
gradually but in a single night
Letters for Early and letters contain
ing all sorts of suggestions for the
treatment continue to be received at
the local health Office. One of the
freaks of this correspondence came in
the mail this morning. 1t was from
New York and was signed simply Sym
pathizer' and read as follows:
Having read an account of case of
leprOSy in your city. would suggest and
hepe you will give this Il trial il you
possibly can:
suspend the head of goat around
the neck of the afflicted and 1t will cure
him perfectly. This may seem foolish
in these days. but there is nothing like
trying"
Not New to Army.
The War Department is not new at the
leprosy problem. it seems. having had
at least one other case to handle in the
United States. 1t has been found by eX-
perience, however. that wherever a leper
happens to be discovered there he is
likely to stay put.
This was the case of private soldier
Alfred S. O'Gorman. formerly of Com
pany G. 1st Infantry. who. also served in
a volunteer regiment in the Spanish war
O'Gorman was finally admitted to the
Volunteer Soldiers Home i'm Milwaukee.
which he had right to enter under the
law. but after he WAS received there.
about two years ago. it was found that
lie was -SufecinG%-with. lepfosy. This