New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-22
DYING BROTHERS
FORCED TO STARVE
HELD IN FL4TBUSH HOME
By ILLNESS.
One Succumbs - Other Tried to
Crazcl TO Him. but Became I'M
conscious Three Times.

Michael and John Flaherty. brothers. beth
entering the borderland OF old age. were discov-
sred in their little frame cottage at Bay avenue
and Avenue \, Greenfield. Brooklyn. yesterday
one dead and the other dying They had suf-
fered FOR nearly a week from the tortures Of
starvation John. who IS sixty-dve years Old
was found lying unconscious on the kitchen
foor- crippled with rheumatism and unable TO
move, while his brother Michael. five years
cider sal bolt upright in his Invalid chair main
aiming the same attitude in death as in life
He had been dead for thirty-six hours.
The tvo brothers had a hoard Of money in
their home. but both succumhed 70 the diseases
n cid age, and help reached them too late
Their plight was discovered by John Jones q
butchers helper John F1aherty was at once
removed 10 the Kings County Hospital. where
II was said he could live only q few hours
Michsel's body was taken 10 the Coney Island
-no-gue
After reaching the hospital John revived long
enough TO rel. by slow and painful stages, his
ssc~y of the tragedy. He said that his brother
died about o'clock Friday morning which bore
cut the statement OF Dr.. Ives. Of the Coney
Island Reception Hospital. who the first
physician 70 view the body John explained
-hzr h had been long crippled ny rheumatism.
which attacked MIN about a week ago and left
him unable 10 move from the bench beside the
h--Cne0 Where ne sitting. For -W0
days he lay there without moving. slowly starv-
z and unable e go 70 the eid IF Michael, who
Ike himself. vas crippled by old age and sat in
rs invalid chair BY the front window. On the
-Eird dsy MichaeI's sufferings grew so acute
mat h began II cali feebIy u his brother for
-=Ip. A. midnight Thursday a feeble cry
reached Johns ears:
I'm diving. John For Gods sake. get me
glass; of vaterl'
As the appeal reached him John made su-
r~s-le effort and tried to crawl into the front
room His painful efforts We're rewarded only
hr -ae Sloxest progress and after two hours he
had gone only q foot or so from the stool. There
fhe torture overcame him and he became IN
consrlous- When he came 70 himself once more
- could still hear the Eroans OF his brother.
sn6 once more began his slow crawling along
the foor. Again he lost consciousness. and
When h recovered the second time he no longer
I heard the groans OF the dying man and knew
tHs1 help was not needed The consciousness
: q rs brothers fate and his weakness caused
hin 10 lose consciousness third time. and just
before help he made his last effort 10 reach
ihs window and attract those whom he could
hsz- passing OF the walk.
he story told by Jones. the butcher who dis
covered them. adds 70 the pitifuIness OF the
hrothsrs' fate, for had he known their plight
Re could have rendered aid IN time 70 them.
. IS thought Jones said that he had delivered
nfest 70 the brothers for many months. but that
when Re visited the house on Tuesday Michael
shook his head as he approached the window
vhere the old man sat. and Jones departed, (
fhinking that no food was needed Again. he
called o. Thursday. and without leaving his 4
cg-r sig1aIled TO Michael. who s1iI sat at the !
window The old man made no sign, and he 4
went away.
Wnen on Saturday his signals were met BY /.
ihe ssue stony stare from the figure at the win /
GOV, Jones scented trouble. and after vain ef- (
forts 20 attract MichaeI's attention he broke in .
tne coor- Policeman John Harley, Of the .
shse7shead Bay station. was summoned, and he .
seut an ambulance call TO the Coney Island Re /
osption Hospital. Dr- Ives responding.
Al th7 hospital $3.50 in cash was found in .
johns pockets the proceeds Of the sale OF q I
Ezz1 plUt Of land in South Brooklyn, which he .
hsd sod over a year ago for S1.50O- Michael .
las daughter. Mamie. living IL Brooklyn, but F.
'ae police have net been able 10 locate her.
Every Sunday she visits her mother, who Is .
cared for al tie Almshouse IN Brooklyn. and /
Hhsn she visits her mother to-day she will hear
:ron her lips the story Of her fathers death.
The brothers came 10 this country from Ire
lsnd about fo-1y-five years ago and settled il
South Brooklyn, where they lived for years IN
he nut in which they spent their last days.
Later both married, and John built cottage
rear -he property. which he sold year ago
When johns wife died he went 10 live with his
hnothe-. John has an only son. who was COM
rirted 70 the Kings Park Insane Asylum. Long
sEsnd. 1ew months ago Both were laborers
sad had worked on the construction Of nearly
al tas lines q the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
system