The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-02
A BRUTAL
FATHER.
Three Small Children Res
Cued From Starvation
and Cruelty.

Agent Stout, of the Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty TO Children,
rescued three little girls yesterday
from home of filth and want. On
Monday, complaint was received
from Colts Station, Maryland, that
the three small children of James
D Walls were neglected. Agent
Stout went to Townsend yesterday
and after drive of ten miles through
Black bird Hd., reached the resi-
dence Of Walls, which is near the
Cypress Bridges, There he found
Bertha May Walls. aged 10 years,
Nettie Irene Walls, aged years.
and Elsie Delaney Walls. aged 81
years. The children were alone,
as their father had decamped to
Maryland, from whence he came
some two months ago. The children
were in one-roon shanty, with
only a couple of small pieces of
wood burning on the hearth. They
had nothing to eat, as their WORTH
less father had refused to work for
the neighboring fathers, The little
ones had no underclothes and but
ragged dresses to cover their bod.
les. No stockings were on their legs
and their little feet protruded
through old shoes, which were tied
on with cords. Their hair stood
erect on their heads, and both body
and bead lice were found on the
children. During the blizzard the
little ones were nearly frozen to
death. The snow poured through the
frame o! the old shanty and the
father had to keep shovelling it out.
There was one bed in the room, the
coverings of which we're dirty rags.
During the blizzard the poor little
ones went through the snow to the
nearest farm house, where Mrs. Ad.
die Davis gave them food and made
them comfortable by a good fire.
One of them was sick at the time.
but the father refused to leave her
under Mrs. Davis care.
About two years ago the mother
took sick. Kind neighbors sent her
food, but the good-lor- nothing hus-
band ate it. A sum of money was
raised and given to a ply for
the purchase Of medicine and liquor
for milk punches, The contemplate
husband would watch his chance
and drink the punch. About one
year ago the mother died and since
that time the oldest child has been
caring for the two smaller ones.
Mr.. Stout got the little ones into
the carriage and drove to Townsend.
There he purchased food for them
and they ate it with ravenous ap.
petites. There were about 200 per-
sons gathered about the Agent and
the trio of neglected children while
waiting for the train. Upon reach
ing this city, they we're taken to the
Home for Fricndless and Destitute
Children. A good warm bath, with
the application of plenty of soap and
scrubbing removed the filth which
was baked on their bodies. In Or
der to prevent the continuance of
vermin, their hair was removed.
When the little ones were given
clean clothing and good, substan-
tial meal, they crowed with delight.
Some of the members Of the Leg
islature saw the children with Agent
Stout. They expressed regret that
there was not a chance to take them
to Dover, to let the down State menu
bers see the class Of people that such
excellent institutions as the Home
for Friendless and Destitute Chill.
dren take care of. If such thing
could be done, there would never Ia
a kick about an appropriation.