The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-03-03
Wesley Martin, Covered-Wag-
on Tourist, Pinched for
Drunk and Crippled Wife
Follows Him to Jail.
SHE DIDN'T WANT TO
BE PARTED FROM HIM
Today Patriarch and His
Faithful Mate Had Wagon
Repaired at Township Ex-
penSe and Left Town.

Behind the iron bars of the city Jail,
crouched in a remote corner of the
dark dingy room, and shuning the
curious glances of the other prisoners
like wild animals in cage, sit Wesley
Martin and his aged crippled wife, and
they are celebrating their golden wed
ding anniversary today. What cruel
fate was it that decreed this tnfirm
old couple should spend the fiftieth
year of life's journey together in
Jail? . ,~~~-
The old man with his wife and
brother, travel about the country in
a covered wagon. The wagon broke
down on South Tenth and A streets
yesterday afternoon and, in dispair
because he had no money to have it
repaired so they could continue the
journey, Martin sought to drown his
troubles in the CHEEKY liquid.
Remains True Blue.
He was arrested by Patrolman Wier
hake and Hirschfield and taken to
headquarters, where he was slated fol
intoxication. With the same staunch
loyalty that has characterized her fif
ty years of matrimonial life, his wife
pleaded with the officers that she be
permitted to accompany her husband
to Jail. Her request was granted and
the two were locked up together. 81
have always shared his pleasures and
SORROWS" said the little old woman
''and l don't want to desert him now.
And so. on the hard stone floor or
the eve of their fiftieth wedding an
niversary, the two. spent the Ions
dreary night. 1t was cold in the darl
cheerless room. and the little woman
who has been a cripple for siXteer
years. being afflicted with hip dis
ease which renders the use of hel
limbs impossible, shivered and chill
ed while the husband, with all the
! tenderness of child, wrapped hi:
own poor coat around her frail bod,
and sought to protect her as best hi
could.
Memory Of Other Days.
Perhaps today while they, wer,
breaking their crust of dry bread int
their black coffee, pleasant memories
of the long ago came to these two.
Perhaps they looked back over fiji
ty years, recalling the pleasures ant
hardships of life's journey and won
dered what bitter misfortune was fol
lowing them, that they should spent
their golden anniversary in Jail. Per
haps the irony of it all appealed
strongly to this simple old pair, TO
they cried bitterly this morning.
II never was arrested before in m.
| life" said the old man, wiping ava,
tear which rolled down his wrinkl
ed face, and with one arm lovingl,
embracing his wife. Please let me &,
officer he begged pitifully. I'm no
a drinking man. I was just discour
aged, that's all. My wife and l hav,
had a hard lot, but we've been happ,
together, haven't We dear? Some day
have been dark and dreary, but / ney
er thought we would come to this
and on our fiftieth wedding anniver
sary, too
Sympathy For Them.
| So heart rending was the man
appeal to be released that his reques
was granted by Mayor Zimmerman
and arrangements were made wit
Township Trustee Howarth to fix tn
wagon and allow the pair to continu
their travels. Martin and his wifi
are almost 20 years of age Both ar
natives of North Carolina but cam
to this city from Michigan The
state that they want to get to SoutI
ern. Ohio. where they have friend
who will help them Martin is a chai
maker by trade. His hair, which ha
been permitted to grow for severa
years. is long and shaggy, almost con
pletely covering his face. presentin
an odd spectacle. Martin is the owl
er of nine dogs and was much cor
cerned over their safety when he va
locked up last evening