The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1919-02-11
APPEALS FOR HELP
FOR MRS. V|CKERY
GOVERNOR MCONNELL CALLS AT
TENTT0N TO PITIFUL POINTS
OF THE CASE

Some controversy has arisen as tc
the necessity for helping Mr.. and Mrs
Vickery, an aged couple whose pitt
able condition was mentioned in The
StarMirror Saturday. w. j. McCon-
nell ex-governor of Idaho, and one
of Moscow's best-known and most
highly respected citizens, called the
attention of the editor of The Star
Mirror to the condition of Mr.. Wick
cry and the need of help for the aged
wife. Governor Mcconnell asked The
StarMirror to publish the facts in
hopes that it would bring a response
and assistance for the aged couple.
This paper, which has never refused
to do what it can to aid in any worthy
cause, published the facts as given
us by Governor Mcconnell
Sunday morning Professor Neidig,
chairman of the Red Cross, called the
editor by telephone and seemed very
much veXed because of the publica-
ton of the article, which he declared
was "a direct slap at the Red Cross"
Professor Neidig showed considerable
feeling in his conversation and stated
that DR.. Stevenson, county health Of
ficer, would call Monday and give the
facts in the case, which he did and DR..
Stevenson's statement was published
Monday Governor Mcconnell replies
to the statement and his reply,
touching appeal, shows how the case
is viewed by him and by many others.
Governor McConnell's very ably writ
ten article follows:
Publishers Daily Star-Mirror, Mos
COW, Idaho. Gentlemen: Your pa
per last night contained an article
entitled "Vickery Case Not Serious"
Permit me to ask, what would be con-
sidered a serious case if his is not?
By the admission of DR.. Stevenson,
county physician, "Mr. Vickery is suf
Iering with cancer and no hopes of
his recovery are entertained" ".The
county has contributed $36 to them
in the past five months and will do
more if needed" DR.. Stevenson says,
"the aged couple live we'll and all they
lack is some assistance for Mrs. Wick
cry, who is worn out with waiting on
her husband, her sleep being broken
by need to care for him in the night.
'The case is regarded as one for the
county and charitable people may
help, if they wish, by procuring as
for Mrs. Vickery." 'It is not |
a case for the Red Cross as was sug- |
gested by the papers informant, but |
the Red Cross will take care of it if |
necessary for it never refuses to help |
the needy" Thus the matter rests: |
the aged couple "who live well" are by |
the faithful wife who is
78 years old caring for her husband |
as best she can while waiting for the
dread messenger likely to call at any
hour of the day or night. 1t matters
lot at whose door the duty lies: | shall
not presume to fix the responsibility,
but the poor old man who now is blind
md absolutely helpless is one of the
men who in early life rallied to the
defense of this republic, and we owe
lim, and all those who like him, aid
I'd in preserving this government a
iebt far greater than paltry dollars
,an pay. Imagine if you can the aw-
ul tragery of one of the recent battles
n France: stretched on the shell torn
,lain lies one of our khaki clad sol
lier boys stricken by an enemy shell;
lpon the scene suddenly appears the
of the Red Cross, and
Without hesitancy or argument as to
iOChCl thO OuIt vi eiiuiiiS tiO loliSh
me belongs to the Red Cross or other
they lift him tenderly
nd convey him to where he will re- I
Give a surgeons aid, and be, if possi-
lie, nursed back to life. II
We have with us an old soldier as
atally stricken as if pierced by bat
lie wound yet there appears to be a
uestion in certain minds whether he
hould be treated as a pauper, by the
ounty authorities or cared for by the {
oval Americans who comprise the {
membership of the Red Cross: in the
lean time weeks have passed into
lonths, and still no watcher has been {
rovided to relieve the overburdened {
life who clings so faithfully to her
ost of duty. Is it true that Wick
rvs case is not serious?" Il
Hopefully yours, Il
w. J, MCCONNELL.