Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-07
COMFORTABLE IN
HOME ON RIVER BANK
Tells Great Need of Leprosarium,
and Hopes Congress Will Act
on His Suggestion.


close to the west bank of the Anacostia
river that has been his home on two
prior occasions. and which he now is
occupying for a third time. John Early.
the leper. chatted with a Star reporter
last night. The face of the man. whose
name has become known from coast to
coast during the last few years, could
not be seen as he talked, for the room
in which he sat was in darkness. ana
although there was almost q full moon,
none OF its beams penetrated the dense
foliage of the many stately trees that
surround the house and partly hide II
from view. The window through which
the conversation was held was heavily
barred. A Waterman whose sole duty IS
to keep guard over the home OF John
Early stood close by. ,..
Although the south side OF the cottage
was in such darkness that the form OF
Early barely could be discerned. the
east side. which overlooks the Anacostia
this side of the cottage that porch on
which Early has spent many hours read
ing and chatting with members of his
family and friends Is located.
Two Powerful Lights.
Mounted on boxes q short distance
away from this side of the house stood
two huge oil lanterns flied with re-
Electors. The light cast by these lanterns
was almost equal to that OF Search
lights. 1t was directed at the only en-
trance to that portion Of the brick cot
tage which is occupied by Early. As
in the case Of the windows. this door
also Is heavily barred.
Early said he was comfortably situated
In his little home. and expressed the be-
lief that he will live there for some time.
hnN kH,0A IN -
Is powerless to transport me to some
other locality unless I give my consent to
such a move" said the occupant Of the
cottage.
Felt Sure of Position.
He said he had talked with Representa-
tive Johnson of Washington concerning
the status of his case and felt sure OF
his position. The representative visited
Early yesterday and had long talk with
him. Representative johnson has intro
duced u bali In Congress providing for
the esta blishnent of a national lepro-
sarium at the request Of John Early. A
similar bill also has been introduced In
the House by Representative Britton.
There Is great need for such an in
stitution. for some provision should be
made for the care Of the lepers of this
country. said Early. ut must seem
amusing " oOaiS PcoPAC lhol l ououio
have Come all the way to this city to
urge the establishment Of such an in
stifutton, but I take a different view OF
the matter. / can realize the great need
Of a national lepresarium and feel that
my suggestion will be followed by Con-
Gress."
Early said that since his establishment
for the third time In the little brick
cottage he has had many visitors. but
not as many as he had on the two prior
occasions when he made his home there.
Were Merely Curious.
Il guess many Of those who came to
see me then were prompted mainly by
curiosity 1 was novelty then, but
the situation since has changed"
Early said that he was not lonely, how
ever, for company has not been wanting.
He said he was as comfortable as could
be desired, and that as long as the cool
weather continued he had no complaint
to make. The brick cottage is screened
at every window and door, 50 that he
has no fear Of the advent OF the mos
quito.
Early said that his present home diff
fers greatly from the one in which he
house in which he lived there was a one
Early served as a nurse for several other
attention Of an able bodied man.