Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-21
SUBJECT OF INQUIRY
DEATH or A CHILD UNDER M
vEsTIaATIoN.
Testimony to Be Heard Bearing Upon
so-Called Baby Farming
Woman Arrested.

An inquest is TO be held at the morgue
tomorrow morning when a jury win pass
upon the circumstances attending the death
OF Alice Daish. colored, FIVE months old.
who died yesterday at the home of her
mother In Clark's court southwest. The
police Of the sixth precinct have been max
Ing an investigation of the death. their at
tention having been called to ii by Acting
Coroner Glazebrook 1t is stated the hear
Ing will bring out testimony bearing upon
so-called baby FARMS" which are said to
exist in this city. Speaking to a Star re-
porter today. Acting Coroner Glazebrook
said ne wanted the inquest held for the
purpose of determining what can be done to
bring about reform in the matter of the
baby farms"
He said that there are many women in
the city who are employed as domestics,
and who leave their children at the homes
or elderly colored women to be cared for
Wnhe they are in service. Some of the
women. he said. are unable to properly care
Tor the youthful boarders and the little
ones must necessarily suffer for want Of
proper attention and nourshment The
question, he realized, was one of import
ance. and he thought 1t might be well for
jury to pass upon the case under investi-
cation.
One Purpose in View.
There may be nothing in the case under
investigation. he stated, and while the jury
may not censure anybody In connection
with the death of the child he hopes the
investigation will be of some benefit to
other persons who are caring for babies.
An elderly colored woman, named Adeline
Ellis. who lives in Union court, and who
had cared for the child was placed under
arrest this morning by Precinct Detective
Vermillion Of the sixth precinct and she
viii be held in order to have her present
at the inquest tomorrow morning
Il always treated the child good" said
the old woman to a Star reporter land
1 would have had her yet had my son not
objected He was sick and so 1 had to take
the child back to her mother"
She said her son had since died and that
his remains were buried yesterday. Alice
Daish. she stated. was the only child she
daughter, having obtained her when she
was an infant and while she (Nrs. Ells)
was living at Lynchburg. Va A few
months ago. she said. a white woman came
to her house and wanted her to board an
infant but she refused to accept the little
one. although she was offered a good sum
OF money for the accommodation. AT pres
ent she is caring for four grandchildren.
The police who are engaged In making
the investigation think that Mrs. Ellis has
not kept what is generally known as a
baby farm She has been a respected
resident of Union court for long time
Called to Attention.
The fact that she had the Dalsh child
at her house was called to the attention
of the police and the board of childrens'
guardians some days ago and The mother
OF the child. 1t is stated was advised to
take her Infant from the house. Mrs.
Ellis son. 1t is stated, made complaint be-
cause the baby made too much noise for
him and caused him to lose his rest
II put the baby in the carriage" said
Mrs. Ellis today, and wheeled her down
to her mothers. A woman at the house
took the baby and l went back home"
Yesterday afternoon the child died and
the acting coroner told that "A certificate
was necessary because there had been 70
physician in attendance. The case, the
acting coroner thought, presented a con-
dition of affairs which called for an investi-
CATION and ne had the police OF the sixth
precinct proceed in the case. The arrest
OF the woman followed and the remains of
the infant were removed to the nlorgue.
Acting Deputy Coroner Baker arranged to
perform an autopsy upon the body late this
afternoon. Witnesses will be summoned to
appear at the morgue tomorrow morning.