The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-07-30
Baby Farmlng-A New Crime.


It would seem if one judged from the
records, that crime, has so increased that
there is no morality in the community; but
although this is not quite the fact, every
day the officers Of the law are.busily engag-
ed in ferreting out criminals. And now in
the city of Charlestown, place so noted
for its quietude and morality, system of
child farming has been discovered, of such
an appalling nature as to startle the officers
and to cause them to set to work to prevent
so flagrant crime. 1t is the custom of
visit the lying-in hospitals in Boston and
there OBJ tain as many infants as possible,
receiving sums of money therefor I" for
their kindness in taking so much interest
in the unfortunate waits of the large me-
tropolis" Tho infants are brought to
Charlestown when obtained and there
cared for until sickness brought on by
neglect, they die. When death ensues
notice is sent to the Office of the overseers
of the poor to bury their little waits. In
given the infants have been inferred in a
respectable manner by the city, at an ex-
pense of $11 in each case. One day last
week notice was given at the office of the
overseers of the poor that three infants had
died in house in Afford street, and it was
desired that the city should cause them to
be buried. AS the suspicious of deacon
Weston, secretary of the board of Over
seers OF the poor, were aroused, he, with
Chief of Police Swift, visited the house
referred to. On their arrival at the house,
which is small and somewhat obscure
building, they found a woman, about thirty
years old, and of prepossessing appearance.
Having informed the woman of the nature
of their visit which was to ascertain the
true state of affairs, she stated that the
''nfants were boarding with her, and that
she was paid S4 per week for them. She
said she had a right to take as MANY in
fants to board as she desired, and that it
was nobody's business. In reference to
the dead babes, she said that they had
been sick several days previous to their de-
mise, but it was not until two of the infants
died that physician was called. Mr..
Weston and Chief Swift having cautioned
the woman against taking any more in
fants departed There are other houses in
Charlestown used as baby farms, and it is
said that an instant is known where fifty
dollars was paid to woman to take an in
fapt, while she was also paid 81 per week
for boarding the babe. 1t is said, and
without doubt it is true, that a majority of
those females who seek shelter in the
dying-in hospitals care not in the least what
become of their offsprings, and their only
desire is to get rid of their children. The
another, having disposed of her infant, can
readily find employment as wet nurse,
and thus they can pay the board of her
child until it dies, which is generally not
very long period.
This nefarious practice of deserting, as it |
were, the helpless waif, by giving it into the
keeping Of persons who are indirectly mur- |
derers, isa matter which should be taken |
in hand and dealt with in proper manner. |
The Charlestown authorities are at work
upon the matter, and steps will be taken to |
eradicate this evil in that city.-Boston
Herald.