Blockley, Matilda, widow, and her daughter Victoria, have been known through a period of five years. Both mother and daughter were high tempered, and quarrelled so frequently and violently that they were often obliged to move. They begged assistance from all available sources. The mother refused to do any work, and the daughter accepted only what pleased her fancy, and re tained no position long because of her inefficiency. She had a fairly good voice, and insisted that means should be provided for training that she might go upon the oper atic stage. She had sung in the chorus of several church choirs, and claimed to have taken lessons of a prominent musician, which, however, the latter denied.
Mrs. Blockley admitted that she had relatives in Ger many who had sent her money, but refused to give their addresses. One church worker reported the family as " first-class beggars," and seven Protestant churches, one Catholic church, one physician, two daily newspapers, the Department of Public Charities, and a hospital, had occa sion to make inquiries about them. No improvement in the family was accomplished, and the record closes with Mrs. Blockley's death.
Doyer, George and Clara. This record covers, with some intervals, a period of sixteen years. Originally Mr. Doyer asked assistance in getting work. Inquiry showed that they were improvident. They were, however, aided by four different agencies, besides receiving free coal each win ter from the city. Seven years after the first application the family was referred by a private citizen, who had given them aid. Mr. Doyer was then described by references as a good workman, although it was found on a closer inves tigation that he had worked only irregularly, and was somewhat addicted to drink. One child, said to be blind, had been treated at a dispensary, and Mrs. Doyer's mar ried sister was aiding the family. The eldest daughter, who ha i been in an institution, was brought home to care for the children, while her father and mother worked.
A younger brother and sister were arrested in the fol lowing year for selling papers at night. This led to much newspaper publicity and offers of aid for the family from various directions.
A few years later another private citizen reported the family and in the same year Mr. Doyer died, leaving insur ance amounting to $1000 or $1500. The blind boy, Will iam, was attending day classes at the blind asylum. Soon afterwards, Mrs. Doyer, whose morality was questioned by her neighbors, married, and her new husband committed suicide within six months.
Two years later, still bearing the name of Doyer, she applied for aid, and it was found that at this time two relief societies and a settlement were interested. The two
daughters who have been referred to, now both married, refused to help their mother because of her improper life.
William had been dismissed from the asylum " as not needing special instruction, as he could see, and as he was incorrigible." Mrs. Doyer was offered work in the laundry, but she refused it.
Ilingole, Emma, a blind woman, has received the annual pension from the city for eight years, and her parents were known to have received aid for more than twenty. Until the death of Emma's mother one demented brother remained at home with her, and another, also insane, was an inmate of a state hospital. The father, although worthless and intemperate, earned a little as light care taker in a church.
Seven years after the first indication of dependence a married daughter was giving two dollars a week, for the support of the family, while Mrs. Ringole's sister, living in another state, a charitable society, and two benevolent ladies were each giving five dollars a month. Clothing was provided by private individuals.
Emma, besides receiving the blind pension, gave each year a public concert, sending out tickets in advance accompanied by begging letters. The relief society, after aiding for a time, became convinced that relief was prov ing harmful to the family. After the mother's death the letters accompanying the concert tickets continued to say that the writer was supporting her, as well as the imbecile brothers, who were in fact in the state hospital. One of the private donors announced that she had provided for Emma, and that no more begging letters would be sent, but they continued uninterruptedly. .
Muchmore, William and Sarah. Mrs. Muchmore was known to a charitable society eighteen years ago, at which time she was aided with groceries. Later her first husband died, and she remarried.
The record for the family for the years following is a series of evictions for non-payment of rent and other reasons. Mrs. Muchmore had found this a good oppor tunity to beg, placing herself and children with the furni ture in the street, and thereby attracting the sympathy of passers-by. Mrs. Muchmore's story to such sympa thizers was that her husband had deserted, or that he was looking for work. In reality he was, however, usually visiting the newspaper offices, enlisting the interest of the press in the wider publication of their pitiable condition. Much assistance was received by these methods, and the family lived well. They were frequently dispossessed for drunkenness and fighting, as well as for immorality.