The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-01
ACCIDENT VICTIM IS
FOUND DYING IN SQUALOR
Times Reporter Discovers Mike
Laurence in Filthy Hovel;
Sends Him To Hospital.

Pleading against being sent TO a
hospital, where he might get the care
necessary to save his life, Nike Law
renee, 63 years old. lay for 4S hours
In an old mortar mill In the rear OF
No. 202 Beaubien-st, without doubt
the filthiest place in Detroit.
A nondescript ARRAY OF old furni-
ture, boxes, rags, papers and filth, i'm
pressed the eye as much as the In
describale odors impressed the nos
trils, when a Times reporter called,
Wednesday.
Mike lay on bundle Of rags In the
center of the filthy shed. covered
with burlap and rag blankets, and un-
able TO move hand or foot. There
was rattle in his throat as he
pleaded against being sent to the hos
pital, but when CITY Physician George
LAWN was called to the place by The
Times, Lawrence was informed that
he must 40 to ST. Mary.s h6spitals
whether he wished II or not.
'"The man Is dying now, said DR..
LAWN. have heard that rattle too
many times not to recognize IT,"
Ciose to the miserable bundle of
rags on which ne lay, lowered his
wife, dirty. mumbling from the Of
fects of drink, blear-eyed, but still
duly solicitous of her Mikes well
fare.
Mike was hurted. that's sure; he
don't know what's the matter with
him, but he amt been able to NOV
for two days." said Mrs. Lawrence.
standing I'm the midst Of the hovel
she called home"
"He probably had some liquor in
him when he was hurted," the wife
went on. He doesn't know what hap
pened to him. But he can't raise his
head, he can't eat, or can't get up.
There he lies hour after hour, and |
don't know what TO do"
Lawrence was run over by an ex-
press wagon, Monday night, on Ri
vard.st. He was not 80 seriously In
5ured as to prevent him from making
his way to his hovel. where he col
lapsed completely. There he was
found by The Times, and he begged
Only spare me for half day. Don't
send me 10 hospital. I'll get up
In a little while. Sure I will"
The surroundings, the condition OF
the man, were unspeakably horrible.
Even DIR. LAWN. who has seen prob
ABLY the worst cases of the sort in
Detroit, in the course of his duties,
shuddered as he looked at Lawrence,
and remarked:
This is the worst that ever saw.
The man must he cared for at. once.
He Is dying, right now"
The Detroit, Ambulance was sum
moned to take Lawrence to the char
!ty ward of st. Mary's hospital Mike
is sc years old. His wife il older.
A few days ago, they were turned
ont of their home at Dequindre and
Division-sts., where they had lived
for years, and which is TO be the site
of big factory. Notice had been
given them in plenty Of time, but
Lawrence, delaying his preparations
to arrange for another home, return
ed home one night in a pouring rain.
10 find his household goods piled in the
street. He had done odd jobs for
Frank p. Jones, and was allowed to
move his belongings into the old
min, which Jones owns. There Is no
FIRE in the place, which was never
intended for home.
Mike made a precarious living by
picking up rags and paper, doing odd
jobs at carpenter work, and also as
tinsmith. He was good workman,
but most OF his earnings went for
whisky and "cans" of beer.
Charles w. Warren a. Company,
Special Pearl Display,
jewelers., Washington Arcade.