The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-02-09
RosroS BABY FARMING.


THE CRIMINAL RESULTS OF THIS EXPERIMENT
IN Observation-Disclosures BROUGHT AGAINST
MARY REIGNoLDs.
A special to The Chicago Times, the 9th
inst, gives the following account of the out
RACES and crimss connected Nth baby farm
ing near Boston: The investigation before
the coroner's jury of the baby farming
cases at HOLSTER, develops great apparent
cruelty on the part of Mary Reig-
nolds, who is accused OF poisoning a
number of Legitimate infants committed
to her charge. Mary Colby. who has
been working for Mrs. Reynolds, testified
that the first child that died was called
Tommy. He died in November, and was
one year old. Mrs. Reynolds gave him
mixture composed of laudsnum, camphor
and rheubarb, from the effects Of which he
slept three days and nights. She tried to
wake him and failed. Mrs. Reynolds
whipped the child every day and badly
used him. She gave him tablespoonful OF
this mixture every day. The child had not
been sick previous to his death. Mrs.
Reynolds said no died of the bowel COM
plant. The next child that died was called
James and was five months old. When he
first came ne cried good deal, and she gave
bin the medicine after guessing at the guam
tity. Never saw the medicine given in
less doses than a spoonful. She after
ward gave two spoonfuls She told me once
that il she gave drop too much it would
have sent them TO another word. Little
James was also whipped. The babies did
not eat much because they slept. The
milk given them to drink was never
warmed. After the death of James,
Maud came, and lived four weeks.
She was II weeks old, and was SICK
week She was forced to take the mixture,
and in order TO compel her Mrs. Reynolds
held her nose. She gave this child twenty
drops. The next child, Agnes Forbes, came
in December with her mother. She was
three weeks old and was sick for week be-
fore she died. She was given this mixture
for some time
BY HER OWN MOTHER
Fredelina Pierce was brought there by
Mrs. Forbes, who was sent to Boston. for
her. She had the same medical treatment
as the other children. Her eyes were sore,
and Mrs. Reynolds washed them in very
rough manner. Mrs. Reynolds said she
wouldn't use the medicine any longer, as it
didn't appear to have any effect.
Fredelina was sick three days. Mrs.
Reynolds said there was no need of doctors,
and none were called. Mrs. Shehan dressed
the dead child in Mrs. For oes' child's
clothes, but Mrs. Reynolds promptly took
| them of and put poorer ones on, saying,
"Let the dead take care of themselves"
Mrs. Reynolds closed the child's
eyes and mouth s'S, twenty minutes minutes
before she 0l6u. MIS-. betH0OlUS
kept a bottle containing halt n pint of
whisky. Have seen her often apparently
under the influence of liquor. Never saw
her without supply of liquor in the house.
When drunk she would fgnt with the old
man and abuse the children. Have seen her
strike Mr.. Reynolds three or four times in
the face. He would get drunk two or three
times a week and sleep on the floor, have
heard Mrs. Reynolds say there were
three children buried on the "farm." She
stated so at three different times, and 1t was
because no one would give her a grave.
When asleep, under the influence OF this
medicine, the children rolled i eyes about
and back in their heads. 1t made them
| groan and keep their eyes open.
Other testimony bore out these statements.
Dennis Hartshorn, station agent, said Mrs.
Reynolds had brought out 20 infants from
Boston, and carried two or three back. ID.
Newton Blake thought the babies had been
abused, and Mrs. Reynolds denied all the
charges against ner. No decision shas yet
been reschtd.