Daily Times [Leavenworth, KS], December 5, 1860
The writers of the following article tells of two cases of extreme poverty which have come under his own observation. They are not isolated instances but such as may be found every day in our city. We cannot be too often reminded of the necessity of making provision for the poor, and we hope that the facts related below will stimulate every one to active efforts to alleviate their sufferings and supply their wants.
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Lo, the Poor!—Winter is coming, and with the wintry blasts, the cold, snow, wind and sleet, more than the usual amount of suffering and privation. It behooves us all to interest ourselves somewhat in the affairs of those who by accident, circumstances beyond their control, dissipation, the duplicity and meanness of others, have been reduced from plenty, comparatively, to poverty and want. It is no time to stop, to hesitate and discuss the question as to the causes which have produced this state of things; we only know that absolute, craving want, exists among us. How shall the poor be relieved, and by whom, is the question now. The city is insolvent.—Hard times, and a much harder administration of Kansas affairs, have depressed all things, and created a stringency in the financial affairs of every man of us to that extent as to induce us to ask ourselves the question, How shall we get through the winter? But then there are so many, so very many, who actually suffer for something to eat. Who will stop a moment, reflect, and volunteer their services to assist in relieving the destitute? It is not yet too late. The writer of this, on Saturday, in company with a friend, visited two families, the first that of a German woman. She said:
“I don’t know where my husband is. He went off to look for work; he left the city, and I have not seen him since. I have six children, you see them here. The oldest, Fred, is a good boy, but he is yet too young to assist any to earn food. He is only twelve years old. The baby is eight months, and of course you know, Sir, requires attention and nursing. I was never compelled to ask any body to help me before this, but you see, Sir, the children are young and growing, and will eat as much as large people. I pay four dollars a month rent for this house, but I work one dollar of it out for the landlord.”
The second family was that of an American woman. She said:
“Before my husband died we were in tolerably good circumstances. We had some good property but it has all gone into the hands of strangers, and I fear not altogether rightfully. For the last year or two, I have been doing sewing for the support of myself and children. I have five children. I have a good deal of trouble to get my pay now, after I have done the work. Times are so hard! My landlord comes punctually once a month for his rent. This distresses me, for I do not always have it. He will take it out in sewing, but then if all my time is given to making up the rent, where are the victuals to come from? The wind and cold comes in those broken panes in the window. The landlord told me to get them put in and take it out of the rent; but how could I do that, when the children were hungry, and asked me—mother, will dinner soon be ready? The quality of the food we have been subsisting upon, Mr. _____, is not always the best. At times it is good, bad, and indifferent, and really, sometimes we have nothing at all in the house. We have some potatoes and flour, which will keep starvation out of doors for three days or so, but as far as meat, we have had none in the house for three weeks past. The children are all young and need something, besides flour and potatoes. Sometimes I feel quite discouraged, but then, for the children’s sake, I must live and strive.”
These are not solitary cases, Mr. Editor, and if any one, especially the ladies, should feel benevolently inclined, there is a wide field for their exertion and enterprise right here in our midst.
Col.