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 Scotland. Fifty-five years old. Married in Scotland and came
with family to this country twenty-five years ago. Had no trade. Worked
at anything he could get. Wife dead. Two children living, unable to help
him. Had travelled widely. Obtained a steady job the previous month.
Held it two weeks, then went "on a drunk." Still had enough money saved
to keep him two weeks. Said that if he did not get work before then, he
would leave New York. He knew a little about farm work in Scotland.
Looked like a hard drinker.
No. 32.
Born in New York City of Irish parents. Sixty years old. Single. People
all dead. Had no regular trade but had followed the water. Never worked
in the country. Had some cousins in New York who helped him out a
little. He looked dissipated and feeble.
No. 33.
Born in Philadelphia. American parents. Forty-three years old. Single.
Salesman. Had been out of work all winter after losing a position
through drink. Had received help from several aid societies and missions
this winter. Had walked the streets a good many nights. Said he never
worked in the country. Looked dissipated and unreliable.
No. 34.
Born in South Carolina. American parents. Twenty years old. Single. Did
not write home. Said he ran away and his people were angry. Had no
trade. Never worked in the country. Had walked the streets two nights
this week. Looked intelligent but wild.
No. 35.
Born in Newark, N. J., English parents. Twenty-six years old. Single.
Had no trade but worked as a janitor. Was in the navy for three years
and had travelled widely. Had been out of work one month. Never worked
in the country. Said he worked for a while and then "went off on a
drunk." His people in Newark sent him money once in a while. Looked
dissipated.
No. 36.
Born in Ireland. Thirty-eight years old. Single. When seven years old
came to America with his people. Had two brothers and one sister in
Schenectady, N. Y. Parents dead. His people did not aid him as he drank
so much. Never worked in the country. Got an odd job now and then.
Looked like a hard drinker.
No. 37.
Born in England. Thirty-six years old. Single. Came to America with his
people when twelve years old. Went to Fall River, Mass., where his
people lived. Ran away from home at eighteen and had followed the water
since. Never worked in the country. Was paid off last Saturday. Went on
a drunk on the Bowery and lost his money and his job. Walked the streets
two nights, but received help from his people. Looked a little
dissipated but capable.
No. 39.
Born in Yonkers, N. Y. American parents. Forty years old. Single. Father
lived in Yonkers but was unable to help him. Plumber by trade. Did not
belong to the Union. Was out of work for one month the past winter, but
now had a job and was renting a room in the Army hotel. Never worked in
the country. Looked like a hard drinker, but otherwise capable.
No. 40.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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