A Stranded Worker Waits for a Prosthetic
After an industrial accident in Fairhaven cost him his leg, a painter finds himself destitute in Seattle, relying on charity while he saves for a replacement limb.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Frank McMunn, whose right leg was injured about two years ago by being caught in the bight of a rope while landing the steamer Fairhaven at Fairhaven and was subsequently amputated at Providence hospital, was found last evening by Officer A. S. Stepler in destitute circumstances and taken to headquarters, where he was given lodging for the night. He said he had not had food for two days and had neither money nor prospects of getting work. Jailer Sheehan took the poor fellow to a restaurant and gave him a good supper before putting him to bed. Among his effects was a subscription paper, among the signers of which were: Nelson Bennett, $10; W. B. Allen, W. Griggs, J. Furth and J. R. Hayden, each $5. The total amount was $102, $75 of which he said he had sent away for an artificial leg. When this comes he expects to be able to earn his living at his regular trade of painting. Capt. Hogle will report to Chief Jackson suggesting that McMunn be sent to the county farm until his new leg arrives.
“He had not had food for two days and had neither money nor prospects of getting work.”
This story highlights the lack of a modern worker's compensation safety net in 1892, where an injured laborer was left to solicit personal charity on the streets to afford mobility. It echoes contemporary struggles regarding the accessibility of medical devices and the precariousness of disability support in an unforgiving urban economy.
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