The New York herald., 1874-08-09
BABY FARMING.
Midwife DOran Tells Her Side
OF the Story.

How the Rev. Dr. Houghton Became q Visitor
to tho Institution-The Three Babies Mrs.
Kilbride Got to Nurse and All About
Them-Distressful Glimpses at
the Lying-in Home.
Since the death OF the child at the woman Kill
BRIDES house, and the subsequent investigation
by the Coroner, much indignation has OF course
been felt In regard 10 "baby farming" Mrs.
Doran, who keeps the lyingin institution in
West Twenty-sxth street, has been severely
criticised on all SIDES, and her manner OF making
livelihood characterized as most lniquttous under
every aspect in which 1t can be viewed. Mrs.
Doran, however, does not quite coincide with the
opinions expressed concerning her, and her tndig-
nation consequent upon the aspersions cast upon
her knows no bounds.
HERALD reporter yesterday called upon the
Rev. DR.. Houghton, pastor Of "the little church
round the corner,' to ascertain from him his
opinion as to Mrs. Doran's establishment. DR..
Houghton has had spiritual charge Of some OF the
unfortunate girls who have taken refuge in the
Doran institution for their accouchement they
being OF the Episcopaian denomination and
he being sent for by Mrs. Doran. The
Doctor states that about twelve months ago he
was first asked by Mrs. DOran to attend girl who
was very low with sickness and utterly irendless
He did all he could for her. both by spiritual min
istration and by communication with her trends.
In ell, during the year, there were four girls men,
bers OF the Episcopalian Church whom he attended,
and his visits to them were frequent-his presence
as q clergyman IN every case doing great deal
of good In cheering the unfortunate girls and
making them for the time more reconciled to their
unhappy fate. During these visits the most favor-
able impression was created in hts mind as to the
management and general conduct OF Mrs. Doran's
institution SO far as he could see she was kind
hearted lady, and did all she could for the poor
girls who sought shelter and assistance at her
hands. He regretted that 30 much injustice should
have been done her since the child's death at the
woman Kilbride's house.
The reporter also paid visit to Mrs. Doran, at
the lying IN institution, No. 14S West Twentysixth
street. He found Mrs. Doran willing enough to
tell everything she knew about the babies and
..baby farming'' 80 far as the subject was con-
nected with her own business Before proceed
ing to explain ner position in the recent difficulty
she showed the reporter the diploma for mid
wifery she had received from the Lyingin Hos
pital in Great Britain street, Dublin, and other
testimonials as to her character and her pro-
fclency In her business. She also exhibited the
testimonial Of two physicians who had been
attached to the hospital on Wards Island,
where she had served as midwife for two
years This having been done she expressed
the greatest regret that some OF the news
papers should have said some cruel words about
the Rev. DR.. Hougnton. Mrs. Doran SPOKE in
Christian charity which Dr. Houghton had mani
Tested In coming TO the institution to utter words
despair for their folly These remarks in the news
papers, she said had been seen BY DR.. HOugh-
ton and he had since called to assure her that
lie was still ready to come to the institution when
ever any Of the inmates, III their destitute c0ndl-
tloD needed his spiritual advice or Christian help
because others mlsudge US and calumniate u.s."
he said, "tbat Is no reason why a clergyman should
shrink from performing his duty" Mrs. DOran
iurther added that DR.. Houghton's kindness was
ali the more grateful in that other clergy men had
ISinsfh 1nhi Institution. On
stances in connection with the kibrlde affair, and IN
uoing so interspersed her remarks with many ejacu
could not have got at the true facts Immediately.
she said :-'lt Is mistake to think that 1arm out
babies fsse 70 DO ws
midwife and with the recovery OF the mothers my
duties end. You do not know now much distress
am obliged to witness, the poor girls coming here
being only In too many cases entirely without
money. know may say safely that during the six
teen months that have had this Institution have
not made dollar. could tell you or many cases
IN which l never got cent Tor weeks OF board
aud attendance. But II IS not 80 easy Ior one wo-
Is pleading almost on her knees before YOU to help
her poor unfortunate daughter out OF ner shame;
brings me to speak OF one Of the cases, IN which
Rev. Or. Hougnton was called on to attend q giri
q the Ep,scopalian belief This girls chd was
had given her one beore-the little boy, about
whom all the papers have spoken 80 much, who
oner and all the others went there. Badly as Mrs.
kllbride has spoken lately, must do her
Ssst s care to say pat s she Do look oae es
sne never got any money for his support except
sw ssEs M tine s so u
tor another baby, saying that her husband was
out OF WORK, that the frst opportunity that pre-
nurse. The second child she got was the cnild of
the girl to attend whom Rev. Dr HoughtOn was
S Wretched led condition ion oi BODY and mind, ana was
accompanied by the father OF the baby. He placeu
ner IN the institution some three months before
tile baby was born and paid one weeks board for
her. He then cleared out and mas not been heard
from since. Wnen the girl had waited TWO or
In vain She became melancholy, and BY
degrees grew weaker and weaker. She lret,ed
herself nio serious ness endsav9red S 10 sooIas
satisfied not to ask any money she ought not to
worry herself. She. began to say that she would
rather die than do 80. There was one hope lett
her, she often said and that was the river Having
help her. asked her to what Church she bsIonSed,
and she SAID she was an EpIscOpallAn. i told her
would 60 TO Dr. Houahton and ask him to come
and see her. DR.. HOught0n responded promptly,
and after few visits she began to leel as if she
was not alone In the worid. In the meantime
DR.. Houghton had gone to see her mother and
sisters, and they at once begged OF him to look
alter her. promising to meet all the expenses. The
Doctor soon PAID all that was due me- anu con-
tinued 70 pay the girls board until after her con
hnement The child that was born was poor,
weak, sckly thing that was dropping rom the
hour Of1ts birth. Believing her TO be a good nurse
recommended Mrs. Kilbrlde as nurse Tor the
child, aud the mother consented. Mrs. Kibride
took charge OF the chtld, and got two weeks board
from DR.. HOughton In advance, and called at the
Doctors house the day the two weeks were up Tor
another IS. He gave 1t TO ner, but told her that
future he would pay her through me. The child
died the following day. DR.. HoughtOn then placed
the girl in the hands OF the Protestant Sisters Of
Charity, under whose care she was sent to ST.
Lukes Hospital, she being IN very low condition.
Now as to the child that the Coroner made all
III ahn .-