The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-12-01
HE CARRIED THE HOD.
Garfield Griffith, the Soldiers Orphan, is
Released from Bondage.

Garfield Griffith, the Soldiers Orphan, is
Released from Bondage.
There was a case before the probate
court this week that attracted consid-
cradle attention and was the occasion
of the evolution of bushels of fun for
the boys.
The case was an Applicant on for the
commitment of Garfield Griffith Cald-
well to the Soldiers Orphans home.
The application was made by A. H.
Ford, trustee of Itasca township.
Some time ago there was complaint
made that the orphan lad in question
was not being well used by the Cald-
wells, who had taken the boy out of
the home on some sort of adoptio on I'M
til he was of age. The boy has resided
with the Caldwells % months, and the
general public believed he was being
put to all kinds of mental servitude,
and obliged to do work too severe for
one of his years and size, hence the
complaint.
The trial began Tuesday morning
and was concluded late in the evening
of Wednesday. G. M. Caldwell fnanag-
ed the case for the defense, and County
cution. There was quite free airing
of matters pertaining to the Caldwell
establishment and the idiosyncrasies
of Brother, Sister and Benny we're full
ly brought out. 1t appears that each
of the above trinity took a hand at
chastising the kid; that he was worked
on the Fourth of July; had no let-up
usual to boys of his age; was put to
work at labor too heavy for small
boy; was only sent to school nine
months out of the %, and then only
way he was made a mental and servant
for all the family. He was also chief
cook and laundryman. AT Odd times
he carried the bod, cut broom corn, run
binder and hauled brick.
This mighty workman had reached
the zenith of development found in the
lad of 10 summers. o, blush! We men of
mature years with weak backs and tor
pip livers, gaze upon the industrial ca
pacity of child.
The trial, although not farcieal, was
sandwiched, saged and peppered with
the ridiculous and was as good as
court was frequently disturbed by the
irrepressible ebutition of mirth. The
dividing of an egg in the morning "a
tions of the kid; the Rev. @. M. Cald
well (Brother) riding in a buggy 9'sow-
ing in the morn the seed, and the kid
following blowing or dragging under
the same, working the boy early and
late, even by moonlight, were laughable
features of the case. At the same time
there was religious, fatherly, mother
ly, brotherly zeal for the temporal and
spiritual welfare of the boy. The Rev.
G. NJ. Caldwell said he had held the
kid three weeks In his bosom, and
had prayed with the elders of the
church for his salvation. He also had
a decided movement of the bowels OF
his compassion for the poor fatherless
and motherIess boy and was intending
and planning very large things for
him He was to be sent to college and
made into a Christian minister and
missionary. And to have their beneTO-
lent plans broken in upon and these
fond hopes ruthlessly dispelled as
morning mist was narrowing to the
reverend soul of Brother, Sister and
Benny.
They had planned soon to send the
kid out into the wilderness OF Colo
RADIO, a Ia John Baptist, to Dir. Hobart.
living near CIaremont, Colo. and with
all brother IN law of Caldwells, to
have him educated. probably IN the
ministry to cattle, pigs and horses.
Judge Umbarger rendered decision
In the case on Thursday, dlso1ylng the