"A DESTITUTE SCOTCHMAN", EXETER, 1883.

Under this title The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (23rd November, 1883) told this story:

"At the Guildhall yesterday a plasterer from Scotland. named George Patton, applied to the Mayor for relief in order to assist him to get back to Scotland.

"He said that he was a widower with three children, whom he he had left in the care of his brother-in-law.   About a month ago he left home in search of work. and sailed to Plymouth from Glasgow.  He then had some money, and was able to pay his passage.  He could not get work, however, at Plymouth, and he had walked to Exeter, and all his money was gone.  He had tried in vain to obtain employment, and he now desired to be sent to Bristol, where there was a Scottish Society that would help him get home,

"In reply to the Bench, he said that of course he could walk to Bristol, but he had no money, and he was not allowed to beg or do anything else.

"The Mayor said that it was unusual to assist cases upon the mere statement of the applicant without any proof whatever, but in this instance the man was evidently from Scotland, and the Bench would therefore grant him 2s. 6d. from the Mayor's poor box. providing that he at once left the city and proceeded on his journey to Bristol.

"The applicant appeared excessively grateful for the assistance granted, and promised to start immediately." 

George Patton had walked from Plymouth and, of course, he could walk to Bristol where there was a Scottish Society which he seems to expect would help him in the manner of a consulate. The Mayor and magistrates of Exeter clearly did not want a penniless Scot on the streets.  It was worth half-a-crown from the poor box to send him on his way.

This was giving with two fingers.  The money would not  go far.  On the other hand the accessibilty and immediacy of the relief is impressive.   The 'Scotchman' walks into a city where the Mayor is in his Guildhall and is approachable for relief as well as for justice,   These days there would be delays and robots and form-fillings galore,

Poor George Patton!  After all that effort, he was going home to his motherless children with empty pockets.  I hope fortune smiled on him somehow or other.