Another similar solution of the choice presented between the almshouse and a private home may be of interest, especially since the choice in this instance was so far deter mined by the applicant's character. She was not only unwilling to become a charge upon the public, but has shown equal independence in refusing to accept relief offered her, when she did not need it. It will be noticed also that her application was pending for a longer period.
Rahn, Marie, an aged German widow, on being visited, was offered aid in groceries and clothing, but declined it, saying that she needed assistance only in the payment of rent. On a previous occasion a private society, to which she had applied and which had aided for three months, referred her to the Department of Public Charities, but she had declined to become a public charge. A little later she made application for admission to a private home, and was doing enough sewing to meet her expenses except for rent. Several individuals were interested, and giving irregular help. These sources of relief were organized on a definite plan, enough being obtained to pay the rent regularly. After living in this manner for nearly two years, she was admitted to the home to which application had been made.
Kennedy, Jane, widow, was referred for aid by a private individual. Mrs. Kennedy was ill, and her children were unwilling to support her. The housekeeper at previous address spoke well of her, as did also her other references. A private citizen had aided Mrs. Kennedy for some years, and the church to which she belonged gave her $2 each month. A son in Chicago sent for his mother to live with him, paying her transportation. A year later, how ever, Mrs. Kennedy returned to New York, as she and her daughter-in-law could not get along together. Her sons agreed to care for her.
During the next six years Mrs. Kennedy was frequently ill and in need, and again came under the notice of two private societies, which aided her at times. The sons and a married daughter aided irregularly, but offered their mother a home with them, which, however, she declined. Efforts were made to have the children contribute regularly, but these were unsuccessful. The church still continued to aid.
The wife of one of her sons became insane, and he moved to another city, leaving a daughter, by a former marriage, to take care of the children. Another son lost his mind through excessive drinking. For some time a grandson lived with Mrs. Kennedy, and aided her, but she became very eccentric, and efforts were at last made to have her placed in a private home for the aged.
Incompatibility of temperament is frequently regarded as a cause of distress and is enumerated in some tables classifying such causes. Insanity on the part of two sons, and eccentricity on the part of Mrs. Kennedy herself, indi cate an hereditary predisposition toward mental disturb ance, and this in itself would not only increase the chances of dependency, but would increase the difficulties of those who, from their relationship or thorough charitable mo tives, undertook to provide for it. At the same time it
cannot be said that Mrs. Kennedy's children met their full obligation, and her application to a private home has less chance of success for this reason.
Duncan, Mary, had been, from a young woman, a suc cessful nurse. About four years before her application for aid, she had been run over by a bicycle and badly crippled, unfitting her for her profession. She had been an inmate of four homes, principally such as are intended for convalescents, but had made a record in these places of being generally disagreeable and cross, and a source of an unusual amount of trouble to matron and attendants all of which could easily be accounted for by her health and adversity. Admission was secured for her to a home for incurables, after temporary care in oue of the conva lescent homes in which she had previously resided.
Bacon, William, a Civil War veteran, and his blind wife Mary, afford a typical illustration. William being of Eng lish birth, the family first came under notice sixteen years ago by an application to the St. George's Society referred by the latter to the Charity Organization Society for in vestigation. For the ten succeeding years, the couple remained for the most part self-supporting, temporary em ployment being secured for the husband at intervals. On one occasion a church asked for information, but when vis ited the wife said that they were not in need, and that there had evidently been a mistake. Ten months later, however, a private citizen asked that assistance be given them, on the representation that, although the man was employed, his earnings were insufficient to support them. It was said, also, that the couple had formerly received an allow ance made by the city toward the support of the blind, but that for some reason this had been discontinued. An application for a government pension had always, thus far, been unsuccessful. A supply of coal was given the family at this time, the first relief that they had been found to need. A year later a physician called attention to the needs of the old couple, the husband being a patient in a public hospital, from which, however, he returned to his home, rather than consent to a transfer to a hospital on the Island. He was not fully recovered, but hopeful and unwilling to break up his home. The church and a relief society, under these circumstances, provided rent, fuel, and food. Further but fruitless efforts were made to secure the government pension ; and, although there was a general feeling that the couple would be better off in a home for the aged, there was final acquiescence in a plan by which a church visitor assumed the responsibility, un dertaking to raise what money was needed to supply their needs in their own home.