The Social Work of the Salvation ArmyLamb, Edwin Gifford
History
The Social Work of the Salvation Army
Lamb, Edwin Gifford
Poor; Salvation Army; Social history
Born in Boston of Irish parents. Fifty years old. Single. Had no people
living. Trade was a hardwood finisher. Never worked in the country. Got
out of work two months ago. Left Boston then and came to New York. Had a
little money, but it was almost gone. Was crippled but could still work.
Drank some. He was gray-haired and looked older than he was.
No. 25.
Born in Ireland. About sixty years old. Had been married, but his wife
was dead, and he had no known relatives. Had been a seaman a good deal
but had no regular trade. He worked on a farm two months in the West.
Had travelled a good deal. He worked occasionally around the docks and
made just enough to maintain himself. When he had money, he spent it
rashly. Looked like a hard drinker.
No. 26.
Born in Boston of American parents. Fifty-seven years old. Single. Had
no people. His trade was ship's cook. He had never worked in the
country. Said that he was too old to get a position. He secured a bed
that night through the kindness of a friend, also out of work. Had
wandered around a great deal. He did not look dissipated but he was
gray-haired and very feeble.
No. 27.
Born in Philadelphia of German parents. About forty years old. Single.
Trade was that of a sign-painter. Said he had worked mostly in
Philadelphia and New York, and that he could get plenty of work, but
kept losing his positions through drink. Had never worked in the
country. Said he had people in Philadelphia but he did not write to
them. Looked dissipated.
No. 28.
Born near Lynn, Mass., of American parents. Twenty years old. Single.
Had no trade, but worked as dish-washer or at anything he could get.
Said that he could run an engine and had been working on a boat in New
York harbor but had to leave three weeks ago, on account of sickness.
Was trying to get into a hospital. Money nearly gone. Was born and
brought up on a farm but ran away nearly three years ago and did not
want to go back, though his father and mother were living. Said he spent
his money freely when he had it. He did not look dissipated but appeared
to be a consumptive.
No. 29.
Born in New York City of Irish parents. About thirty-five years old.
Single. Had no trade but had worked for years as driver on a horse-car.
Got out of work four months ago and had no prospect of any. Got a small
job cleaning out a saloon the previous day. Often walked the streets all
night and went to the "bread line." Did not look very dissipated but
evidently had no ambition. Did not know where his people were. Never
worked in the country.
No. 30.
Born in Ireland. Sixteen years old. Single. Did not write home. Had
trade of a cook and had been out of work for two weeks. Then had $100.00
and lost it all "on a drunk." Never worked in the country. Had walked
the streets three nights the past week. Was going to New Jersey to look
for work. Looked dissipated but otherwise capable.
No. 31.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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