The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1914-11-07
lEPER'S WIFE CL|NGS
TO HIM UNTO THE END
Ordered to Leave Their Home. She
FalIs on Her Knees and Begs to
Be Allowed to Remain

OF the two homes which they owl
Joseph Norman. aged 80. with hi'
wife and two children. are shut com
pletely on from the world. The wifi,
and children are prisoners becaus,
they chose to risk leprosy to be with
the afflicted husband and father. Fol
experts have declared Norman to be
q leper. Already the skin on his
face bears unmistakable evidence OF
the dread malady.
| When convincing proof had been
obtained that Norman was a lepeI
the door Of his home was opened for
the escape of the wife and children.
Mrs. Norman was instructed to cut
away from her husband forever. She
left the house because she believed
she must. Next day she took hN'
little sons and with them went to
the city officials and begged to be al
lowed to return. They endeavored
to dissuade her.
The Wife's Prayer
II cannot live without my hus.
band" she cried, falling on her knees.
Il was happy as his sweetheart.
was happy when he made me his
wife. l have been happy during the
eleven years We have lived together
and struggled to lay aside a little
money for the rainy day. My love
has been famed into a big flame by
his goodness and his care of me.
became his wife for better or for
worse. have tried to be a kind, du.
tiful and loving wife. have borne
him children whom we both love.
When the doctors told me that
Le was victim of leprosy fully re.
allied that 1t meant life of exile
Tor him. But l determined at once
that his fate should be my fate. and
as his wife it was my duty never to
desert him until death do us part
| thought that perhaps might be al.
lowed to live In exile with him, but
l feared that the children would be
taken from us . But while my heart
will break at separation from my
children l cannot see my husband go
into exile alone. With him will CO."
Began Eight Months Ago
Eight months ago Joseph Norman
lived happily with his wife and chill.
dren-Leo, six, and George, two-'in
their home in Blackman street. lie
was employed in the Hazard Rope
Works, and out OF his earnings he
paid of mortgage on one of the
buildings he had bought.
Then he was stricken with a pecu-
liar disease. He was able to keep up
work now and then, but finally he
had to quit altogether. Doctors were
puzzled. Some of them diagnosed It
as eczema. He gradually grew worse
and few weeks ago doctors here
suggested that he go to Philadelphia
for treatment. He went to Philadel.
puma anu W u uOSpllui tleIe' Inc uOC-
tors diagnosed his case as leprosy
and the health authorities were mott.
fled. Norman was placed in an auto.
mobile and hurried back to Wilkes.
barre. They took him to his own
home and then notified the Wilkes
barre officials that your leper Is out
in his home"
incidentally, there was consterna- |
ton. The house was roped off and |
guards were placed about 1t to pre-.
vent escape of the family and keep
all friends away.
Then 1t dawned upon city officials
that the care Of leper was a heavy
burden. Appeals were
made to Uncle Sam to have Norman
placed In a government leprosy col.
ony, but the government refused to
take the case. The poor board, ask
ed to care for the man, agreed to
supply him with provisions.
Mrs. Norman had been allowed to
return to the house. Now they are
waiting word that they are to be
sent to an isolated colony.
Permission to build a place for
Norman on one of the poor board
arms has been denied ana the ulti.
nate place of refuge of Norman and
lis wife is a question
City Commissioner Edwin d. Nor
IAN, head of the health bureau, says:
1--WE will have to build an isolated
hospital, and when Norman goes it
viii probably be to spend the bal.
nee of his days there His wife is
to go with him, but the 4
hildren must be taken away. 1t
would be a crime to permit them to :
row up with a leper." !
sOl EXbc lnAEN AMI TAD q