The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-11-25
A SAD CASE.
Three Little South Carolina Girls
Who Knew Nothing of God.
is estimated at 81

Three Little South Carolina Girls
Who Knew Nothing Of God.
Three South Carolina waits, Hattie
Irene and Anna Benton, who have
been cared for in ST. Joseph's hospital
for the last seven weeks, will be Sent
to Charleston to be placed in an or
phan home, Mayor Myers having pro-
vided tickets for the children's trans.
portation, says the Savannah News
When the three little girls were
brought to Savannah less than two
months ago, they had never heard of
God, Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, or
any OF the things that are usually i'm.
pressed on the miods of little ones.
They had never heard the words, and
had no idea what was meant. Mrs.
Alice G. Thomas, who took charge of
the children at first, says she never
saw such wild little creatures in her
life.
GREAT IMPROVEMENT NOTED.
Though still shy in the presence of
strangers and very easily fr'g lteped
the three little girls have shown great
Improvement during their stay in Sa.
vannah. Kind words and patient
work have worked wonders, though
there Is still plenty of room for i'm
proVement. The children were
brought to Savannah by an aged man.
who gave his name as William Ben.
ton. He arrived In the city on Sun.
day morning, September 25oh. He
was very i'll at the time and Law on
the floor OF the union station all day
Sunday, an object Of pity. The three
little girls grouped about him in
frightened sort OF fashion and at
tempted to avoid all strangers who
approached.
The sympathy Of parties visiting
the union station was aroused and DR..
j. q. Keller gave certificate to send
the old man to the hospital, while the
three little girls were carried to DO
lice headquarters for time. There
Mrs. Thomas took them In charge and
later turned them over to ST. J0seph's.
The old man was unable to stand
alone and seemed to be suffering from
partial paralysis. He said he was a
confederate veteran and lived at Wal
terhoro, S. @. He claimed the chill
dren as his own daughters, though IL
is more likely they are his grandchil-
dren. He said their mother was dead.
'Inough 1T Is not customary to receive
patients from out Of the city at the
hospitals free OF cost, Benton excited
great deal OF sympathy and he was
taken In at the Savannah hospital.
FATHER RAN AWAY.
After he had been in the hospital
Tor ashort time, 1T was apparent his
mind was weak. About three weeks
ago he left the hospital without the
knowledge OF any Of the nurses or at
tendanls. He Is supposed TO have
wandered away durii 6 a spell of men,
tai alteration. No trace OF him has
been found sinc'. The little girls
were kept at ST. Joseph's and cared
Tor there. a hospital, however, is
not place to raise children, and II
was decided to try and get them into
an orphan home. The authorities of
one OF the homes in Charleston agreed
TO take them after it was learned
they came from South Carolina. The
children will be placed on the train
and their tickets turned
over to The conductor. One OF the
officials of the orphan home will met +
the train In Charleston, and the waits
Will be cared for until they are large
enough 10 begin life for themselves.