The Detroit times., 1911-06-23
.L|NV|LLE FAMILY
IN HARD STRAITS
husband, With Fractured vertebra,
Forced to Abandon Struggle to
Make Living-Neighbors Aid.

With a fractured vertebra, the re-
suit OF fall two years ago. things
do not look cheerful to ]. ID. Linville.
They look less cheerful than he has
been allowing himself 10 believe as he
las tried one way and then another
to make living for himself and wife
and his two little children. Now he
has been practically obliged to give up
tho effort, and the task OF keeping the
wolf from the door Is left TO the wife
and to neighbors, who have opened
their hearts to the plucky fighter and
his wife.
Linvilie lives at No. SO Jerome-st..
In the Eighteenth ward, and up to
July 20, 1909, was employed as engi-
neer In the Detroit Edison Co.'S plant
near his home. They had been chang
ing the piping around the engine, and
one day, while Linville was crawling
over an inclined plank, which had be-
come greasy, he fell and was picked
up unconscious. Weeks afterward, an
x-ray examination disclosed that the
NTH lumbar vertebra had been frac-
tured.
That is briefly the story OF his acct
dent, but with the painful details,
which have been impressed upon him
by days and nights OF suffering, 1t Is
a long narration. Linville was In a
plaster cast for months, and 1t was
necessary for his wife to take care
OF him. Then he was fitted with a
steel brace, supporting his shoulders
from his hips. For time his salary
was kept up by the company, but Lin
Vile was induced to bring suit for
damages. and the salary ceased. When
the plaintiffs side Of the case had
been heard, the defendant secured a
dismissal, because of an error In the
name under which the company was
sued.
Linviile had little money saved up,
and embarked in the manufacture OF
canvas gloves, which he sold. The
enterprise required more investment
that he had and the profits were small,
so he sold out his stock and purchased
machinery for O modest laundry In
the basement. Mrs. Lnville tried to
do the work, and Linville to attend
to the clerical part OF the business, but
this also was failure, Mrs. Linville's
health breaking down. Lately she
has again commenced taking small
washings, which she does In intervals
between the necessary attention OF her
husband. She earns about " week.
Neighbors have become deeply inter
ested in the Linvilles, who have done
everything In their power TO avoid be-
ing objects of charity.
IL do what | can for them, and so
do all the rest OF the people down In
this neighborhood, for who wouldn't
help fellow that's up against II, said
william Cowan. big, good-hearted
man, living at No. Is Jerome-st. Il
get about $35 q month from some
property have around here, and,
possibly increase that to 81 day
by odds and ends. II can turn them
a dollar now and then I'm glad to do
It. audit isn't much to run In and see
II there are any odd tasks that can be
done. The other neighbors do the
same thing. But it's only a small
neighborhood here. II the people Of
Detroit knew how plucky those Lin
villes are, guess they'd see that they
had enough to put them on their feet
for a little while. A big city full OF
people could help one poor little fam
lily without feeling 1t at all. l wish
The Times would Just tell them about
IT,
Linville's case has been puzzle to
surgeons, and there Is slight chance
OF his partial recovery II a delicate
operation can be performed. The
operation consists In uncovering the
injured bertebra and tying It up with
silver WIRE But that would cost mon
ey. Also 1t costs money to live these
days, and there are four mouths to
feed In the Linyille home,