March 24, 1914: Ban on Panhandling in Boyertown Enforced, Inspires Support for Unfortunate

By Margaret Leidy Harner from her book One Day at a Time: A Social History of Boyertown, PA.

March 24, 1914: “All offenders will be arrested and punished for panhandling!” Chief of Police Henry Gruber has arrested Morris Haring and his nine-year-old son Clarence on that charge.

They were given a hearing in Town Hall, attended by a number of citizens, and Haring pleaded poverty. He explained that he had been out of work with no money coming in, and his wife and five children were starving.

Determined that the state ban on street begging will be enforced in Boyertown to stop the nuisance of panhandling, Burgess Charles B. Dotterer, fined him $5.00. That fine was promptly paid by four of the men present at the hearing, who also gave him $5.00 for groceries.

Dr. Daniel R. Kohler then passed the hat around the room and collected an additional $15 for the family. It was another example of the kind-hearted support for the unfortunate that abounded in Boyertown through the years.

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