A regular feature looking back at what was being printed more than 100 years ago in the former Bucks County Gazette. This week’s entry comes from the May 2, 1913 edition of the newspaper.
Aged Mother Sues Sons For Support
Mrs. Katherine Sweeney, 77 year old, of 658 Spruce Street in Bristol, destitute in circumstances, enfeebled by result of illness, told a pitiful tale privation and neglect in Squire Kraft’s office on Wednesday evening when she had her two big, strong sons, Manus and Owen Sweeney, brought before the justice in an effort to compel them to support her in her declining years.
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Mrs. Sweeney said that the two sons lived at home, but would not work, only occasionally “in the summer time,” and that neither one of the boys within six months had given her enough to buy food. Her daughter, Miss Annie Sweeney, formerly worked at a local mill and received six dollars a week, but was compelled to give up that employment when her mother suffered a stroke of paralysis several months ago. Mrs. Sweeney said she is unable to pay her rent and had received notice to vacate the premises would have no place to go, if the boys did to work and earn some money.
It developed at the hearing that the two sons spend their time with the notorious “Fox Terrier” gang and have become proficient in the art of drinking rum.
Howard T. James acted a attorney for Mrs. Sweeney and scathingly rebuked the wayward sons and strongly intimated that the time has come when the “Fox Terrier” gang will be broken up. The two son were held in the sum of $500 bail appear at court.
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