Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-01-16
Father nt;Wfe
And. 8 Children
Were In Need
Living in Shack That GiveS
Poor Protection in Sub
Zero Weather.
ARE GIVEN AID
BY COUNTY FUNDS

1t was evident that the task be-
fore her was not to her liking. Sho
was embarrassed and i'll at ease and
her will was fighting with her prido.
She was addressing the board At
county commissioners in session rc-
Gently.
II dislike to do 4 but am forced
to ask for county aid" she said. NY
husband has been sick for a number
Of weeks and we are badly in need At
help from some source"
Kind inquiries brought out the IN
formation that she and her eight
small children were living in = shack
in the outskirts Of Libby. Misfortune
had laid the father low. They were
destitute and suffering
I'VE will be able to allow you about
$780," said Commissioner Brink af-
ter they had got the details Of the
story. "Thirty-five dollars every TIVE
weeks. or how often?" asked the
mother. That's about the limit va
have been allowing per month";" an
swered Mr.. Brink, whereupon the
mother turned away and began to
cry.
Further questioning brought out the
information that when the father was
we'll their grocery and meat bills had
totaled about that figure every two
weeks. At first it was thought that
was rather extravagant but when
some figuring was done, it was found
that was not a large sum at all for
eight small mouths and two adults.
Figure it out for yourself. 1.-THE chill
dren arc also practically barefooted,"
said the mother. Before the mother
left she was told to get what she
needed in shoes at q Libby store in
addition to groceries, and Commits
sioner Brink took it upon himself to
visit this family the following day.
1T was pitiful," he said upon his
return. THE mother and the eight
small children are living in shack
with no ceiling and with roof If
| corrugated iron. Frost showed along
every Joint and one can readily imax-
inc how fast the heat would -
through that roof. And 1t was below
zero weather. The mother had got The
shoes for the children but none for
herself. | found her wearing pair
of light slippers with holes clear
through the soles. Every time she
stepped out of doors for wood there
was nothing but her stocking between
her foot and the snow. | arranged
for her to get some shoes"
For the life of me | can't under
stand why there is not some organ
! ization in Libby to look after such
deserving cases and help in this chart
ty work While the father was able
to work he provided for his family,
but found them in deplor-
able condition and no one was lifting
hand to help them. Other commu-
mites have organizations that look
after the unfortunate ones. Why is
it that we have none in Libby?'
In this connection Mr.. Brink re-
ferred to news item telling that
Several trucks had gathered at store
in \Havre and were loaded full with
boxes and baskets for needy families
at Christmas time. Mr.. Milligan said
Eureka had an organization that
helped the needy, but Mr.. Monio said
Troy was in the same Xix as Libby
he knew Of no such organization
there.
Well, when | fInd suffering ana
needy women and children am going
to help them, budget or no budget
said Mr.. Brink. land if the Law
says ! have to will 60 to jail
And County Attorney Herbert, who
had given the commissioners lega
advise regarding the matter, Clipped
in with, "And | will go to Jail with
YOU"