A DISTRESSING STORY OF STARVATION.

Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 68, 17 September 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

A DISTRESSING STORY OF STARVATION.

Some sad facts were disclosed at the Mansion House police-court* the otherday. AlfredAllen, arespectably dressed man, was charged with attempting to commit suicide by throwing himself from Blackfriars Pier. When arrested he said : — " Policeman, why did you»not let me do it ? I have a wife and eight children. I went home last night and found my wife fainting at her needlework, and the children crying for bread. I could see nothing in front of me but death. I worked at Beckton Gas Works for twelve years and whilst there I met with an accident from an explosion and lost the sight of one eye. Work being a little slack I was discharged, and I was out of work for two months." In the prisoner's pocket was found a tin canister, which contained the following letter addressed to his wife : — "My dear Wife, — Hope itself is dead. The future is all darkness. In spite of all our struggles the bitter, bitter end is close at hand. Last night I saw you fainting at your work, in your brave but vain attempts to fight against fate. We mußt part. My dear little wife, we must part. But where ? At the workhouse gate ? No, little darling, " till death us do part " was the promise we made, and death is the kindest'and best. Adieu my dear wife. Kiss the dear little ones for me, and even in death believe me, your loving husband, A. Allen. The prisoner's wife was called and corroborated the statement he made. The prisoner repeated what he had said to the constable, and said lie had striven as hard as it waß possible to maintain himself and family respectably. The Alderman pointed out the serious nature of the prisoner's act, and said ho should remand him to see if any employment-could be found for him. In the meantime his wife and family would be cared for.