Here is a young man who was orphaned at age 7 and then lost his leg on the job. Down on all his luck, all he wanted was a wooden leg so that he could get back to work.
Wanted – Wooden Leg
James Gilbert, 18 years old, of Pittsburgh, has been unfortunate all his life.
His parents died when he was 7 years old. He had no relatives who would look after him. So he had to make his own way in the world as best he might.
He managed fairly well and he became in time a full fledged cooper. Then he went to Akron, O., to get a better job than the one he had in Pittsburgh.
He got the job all right, but one month after he got it he stumbled while crossing the railroad tracks and was run over. His right leg had to be amputated from the thigh.
When he got out of the hospital he tried to work at his old job. He was too weak to do so and had to quit after one week.
He left Akron and beat his way to Chicago. He arrived here yesterday. Last night he went to sleep in the alley at Peck Court and South State street.
A teamster coming down the alley almost stepped on him. Gilbert wakened with a start. The teamster thought Gilbert intended to hold him up. He smashed a can of beer in the boy’s face.
It cut Gilbert’s face frightfully – he may lost his right eye – and a policeman who came along a minute later placed Gilbert under arrest.
Gilbert was taken before Judge Going today. He told his story. Judge Going offered to send him to an institution.
“I don’t want to go to an institution,” said the boy. “I want a job. But I can’t hold a job with only one leg. So the first thing I want is an artificial leg.”
Judge Going offered the boy a dollar or two.
“I don’t want your money,” said Gilbert. “I don’t want anybody’s money. I want to make my own way in the world, and I want to be able to think my own thoughts and be my own master. I couldn’t do that if I accepted charity.
“I want a job, but I want a wooden leg first, because I can’t get a job until I get one.”
Gilbert has been sent to the Mission of Our Lady of Mercy at 1132 Jackson boulevard for a few days. In the meantime court officials who were touched by his story and his independence are trying to find some way of getting him one wooden leg and a chance in the world.
Source: The Day Book (Chicago, Illinois newspaper). August 22, 1912.
