The evening world., 1888-09-18
THE STORY OF THE CASE.
History Of the "EveninR WORLDS" Efforts
TO Bring Back the Orphan boy.

TO Bring Back the Orphun 10y.
Early in Tune last the following letter was
received by the editor of The EVENING
DEAR sIRi I have a case which 1 hope will inter-
est your benevolence.
l am an aged woman, but able yet to keep my
My grandson, Joseph Sheppard, who is an or
phan, was In the Juvenile Asylum, In One Hun
dred and Seventy sixth street. one year. l was IN
Rochester with my son when he was sent to the
Staten Island Nursery and Chlld's Hospital. As soon
to Mr.. Carpenter, OF 81 West Thirteenth street. for
the boy. ] was told that he was transferred 10 the
Juvenile Asylum, In one Hundred and Seventy
sixth street, ana that / could NOT get him, but
could see him once a month. Invent every month
visiting day in April, 1888, l went and found him
in the hospital. The doctor said he was out Of
danger, but If he got worse I would be notified.
Next month went t, see him. He was sent to
n rrnahStsi aestiiea To no ' notice. SeAra' VINO 'a'a l was
is wiling to adopt MIN. Inc Board says ne has
Andrew Grant, Of $50 West Thirty ninth street,
win take tho boy into his family and treat him as
like to do 30. My son, who resides with me, can
keep him, My son in Rochester can Keep him, and
why should he be In Illinois
Please interest yourself in the matter and have
the blessing OF a heart-broken woman; Yours re-
'pPp +. R"fhe boy is only seven sa,nI years. Of an ave-.
6ls West Thirty-eighth street.
How TIL EVENING WORLD interested itself
III IllS CuSb every TeuubT Oh lue DdlDeT Will
recol.ect. Its reporters were sent out to in
vestignte the story OF Mrs. Sheppard at once,
and every statement that she made was veri-
fled beyond the shadow of a doubt.
1t was proved by her own statements and
those of her friends and acquaintance that
she had never had any intention of DESERVING
the little child, which had come into the
hands OF the authorities OF the Juvenile
Asylum through the process of the law
while the grandmother was out of the
city and prevented by sickness from coming
here, and defending her right TO the child,
when the transfer was made from the Nursery
wi ere she had placed him. Nor did she re-
ceive any notice that such transfer was to be
made.
1t was also shown that when she came back
TO New York. after her severe illness, she
affidavit sets forth fully, and made every eff
fort in her power TO get possession of it, but
was prevented from doing SO by repro
sensations made to her by the Superintendent
child was sent to the indepturing agent of
the corporation in Illinois, to DO bound out
till he should be of age, thus practically iso-
lating him completely from his relatives and
friends.
1t was claimed by the asylum authorities
that the child had under the law passed en-
tirely under their charge, and they had the
power to do with it as they, chose. AT the
Indenturing Committee, which has ex-
elusive control of the disposition
of children committed to the institu
ton for any cause, admitted that they were
always ready to waive their authority when
over any relative who was able to care for the
child applied for its surrender, and that
every opportunity for such an application
on the part of relatives or natural guardians
was given in all cases.
This policy, it appears from conclusive
proof as shown in the afidavits of parties in
terested in the return of the child, was not
carried out in the case of Josie Sheppard. for
| ha waa hnrriah uwaV u1fhOnt any
relatives. while all the while his
old grandmother, her two sons and her
friend Mr.. Grant were ready to take tho
child, and anxiously awaiting the time when
it had been represented to them by the Su-
perintendent Of the asylum he would be sur
rendered to them.
On June % the whole story was printed in
THE EVENING WORLD, and it comprised not
only the facts relating to Mrs. Shephard's
case, but the other side of the story as well
was given in full. The asylum authori-
explain in full. but many Of them
knew nothing of the case, or did
not remember it, while the only ones who
did know about it, and with whom Mrs.
Sheppard had dealt personally in her efforts
to recover her grandson. F.. ID. Carpenter,
the Superintendent of the Receiving Hospital
in West Thirteenth street, and his brother
who is the superintendent of the main hos
pital at One Hundred and Seventy sixth
street, refused to give any information.
1t was on their representations exclusively
that the lndenturing committee acted in de-
Gliding to send the boy away, rs they them
selves knew nothing of their own knowledge
of tho child's relatives or antecedents.
The facts as published aroused the SYM
PATTY of the entire public in behalf of the
broken. hearted old woman who wanted her
grandson.
The EVENING WORLD followed up the case
from day to day. gathering opinions not only
from all the Directors of the Juvenile Asylum
regarding the case, but from clergymen and
prominent citizens of New York.
The opinion was almost universal that
there had been a mistake made, and the de-
mand was general that it should be rectiied
without delay.
WORLD, but after many delays, the case was
finally brought before a meeting of the In
denturing Committee.
There another obstacle was met with, and
the application OF Mr.. Andrew Grant to
adopt the child was rejected on the ground
that he had not sufficient means to care for
more than his own family.
AS soon as this decision was reached by the
committee recourse was had to the uncle OF
the boy, John Sheppard. who is an honest
and industrious citizen of Rochester, n. \.
He had previously come to New YORK
to get Josie while he wa; stu
ing to adopt him at that time but had been
unable to. secure his surrender without q
longer delay here than he could afford, for
he was q w~orkingman and had family de-
pendent upon him.
He made an application for the surrender
Of the child, proposing to adopt it in case 1t
should be brought back sfrom tho
West. What THE EVENING WORLD has
lone in order to procure evidence of his
ability to care for Josie, and to establish this
fact to the satisfaction of the Asylum Com
mittee, may be seen by the annexed certih-
Gates and letters.
The Humans society of Rochester made q
thorough investigation OF MIR. Shephard's
affairs. and the accuracy of tho report which
| il furnishes is indisputable.