News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-02-19
Righteous Indignation.
MorristoMn. Feh. n

MorrlStoWn, FeD. II, 1902.
Editor of News AND CITIZEN
wish through the columns of your
paper to say a few words in the interest
of humanity, children and womanhood.
[ was born and have lived for the most
OF my life IN town where legal protec-
/ ton was certain for all helpless mem
bers of the human family, but especially
for children and weak minded people,
and | had naturally got in way of
thinking it was so in every town but
fear that I have found an exception
Something over three years ago l had
the good fortune to locate in Morristown
and since living here 1 have become
aware of several facts in regard to law
and morals of which | had previously
been in ignorance. My attention was
again called to this subject by a case
which came before the public last week
and the manner in which it was settled.
About two and half years ago it
came to public notice in one of the back
districts of this town that an ignorant,
fatherless little girl, about thirteen
years OF age, was soon to become a
mother. Having neither money nor
friends able to care for her at this time,
complaint was entered to the proper
authorities and the case looked into.
The party guilty of the ruin of this child
proved to be-not boy--but man be-
tween forty and fifty years of age, whose
character and conduct had for some
years made him a disgrace to the neigh.
borhood where he lived. He was ar
rested and lodged in jail, while the
wise heads got together and considered
the case. First, the law of Vermont
read that any man guilty of such an
offence should be sent to states prison
for term of years, but these wise ones
thought this would never do, for then
the child would become an expense to
the town and this must be avoided at
any cost. After due consideration they
decided to allow the criminal his liberty
if he would marry the girl. OF course
he was only too glad to accept the terms
He didn't enquire if she was neat, tidy
and skilled in housekeeping. 1t was
his only chance of escape and he grasped
it, good or poor. This done, it was con-
sidered settled and the criminal escaped
his just punishment by the sacrifice of
his victim. This child, in entire igno-
rance of housekeeping and he duties of
a wife and mother, is forced to perform
them in some shape, if not entirely sat
isfactory.
The months passed by and from time
to time reports have come of cruelty
of this man to his little girl wife. A
little more than a year after the birth of
her first baby, this child mother is
forced to mother baby number two, and
last week things reached a more serious
turn when this man threatened to kill
his wife and babies and proceeded in
this direction to the extent of knocking
down his wife and pounding her until
her face and body were sight to bring
tears to the eyes of anyone having hu-
mainly enough to have feelings. She
escaped from the house in the absence
of her husband by hailing a passing
team and asking aid for herself and
children. A complaint was entered and
evidence of the facts given.
Necessary papers were made out and
the man brought to the village. The
case was heard and the man was fined
about one half as much as an ordinary
drunk and released, and the authorities
wash their hands of the case.
But does this settle the matter2 Let
us see. This fifteen year old mother,
mentally unable to support herself, is
homeless and friendless, with two babies
to her skirts, destitute of food
and clothing. Two courses only are
left for her to pursue-starve, or return
to this fiend in human shape. Shame
upon citizens who permit affairs to be
i'll this manner.
HUMANITY,