Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-23
ORPHAN CHILDREN
ARE GIVEN HOMES
THREE FRAlL GIRLS FROM WIS
CONSlN TRYING TO FIND
RELATIVES OR FRIENDS.

Fairfield July 21.--(SpeciaD- III
John and James Crawford, at Of
tumwa." Such was the burden of the
talk of three orphan children, fratl
girls. Mabel Crawford. aged 1S and her
sisters, Helen aged IA. and Marie aged
IL. who have but just landed In Fair
field after being buffeted about first
from one place to another all the way
from Wisconsin to this city hoping
against hope that they might find
some friend or relative who would as.
sist them in taking care of themselves.
Monday evening the older of these
girls was placed in the c. D. McPher-
son home while Helen and Marie had
already found homes in the homes OF
Cloyes McCabe and County Attorney
J. A. Huglin. Thus they are estab-
lished temporarily. at least, in good
homes instead of being sent to the
county home according to the dictates
of law.
The story told by these children is
an usually pathetic one and as soon as
related touched responsive cord In
the heart of County Attorney John A.
Huglin, A. K. Harper and others who
have secured homes for them.
There were nine of us children"
said Mabel, the oldest. and we were
born on farm in Indiana. There
mother died and also two little sisters.
Then father and us children moved to
a farm in Wisconsin. Were we lost
two more Of the children, and after
a time moved to Milwaukee where
father obtained employment in a fac
tory. He was not strong and one day
came home sick with cold on his
lungs. Then he died and without wait
ing to let us see him buried the
neighbors hurried us off to an orphan
asylum" The fact that they were not
allowed to see their father buried
seems to be a source of constant
worry with these children.
During the three years that the
children were in this asylum two
more of the number sickened and died
and then only the three were left.
They were forced to do the drudgery
and work OF persons of matureage and
even then they found they were not
wanted. One day about six months
ago the superintendent told these
children they were now able to make
their own way in the world and they
must get out as there was not room
for them longer in the institution.
Racking her brain for the memory
of a relative or friend to whom they
might apply for assistance Mabel re-
membered hearing her father speak OF
two brothers, John and James Craw-
ford who lived in Ottumwa. This she
mentioned to the superintendent and
he Immediately shipped the three lit
tie girls to Ottumwa, not knowing nor
caring whether they had relatives
there or not. Mabel and Helen were
given tickets and thus they were put
on the train without a cent to buy
them food on their long journey and
forced to beg the various conductors
with whom they rode to let their ut
tie sister ride without a ticket.
They arrived in Ottumwa about
April /. and searched all one day for
their uncles without success. NO
trace of any such men could be
found. Then fearing that the police
might separate them should they ap'
peal to them for aid, the three chill
dren began walking east from OF
tumwa begging their way and work
ing where they could find work for
their food and shelter. About three
weeks ago they arrived at the Will
liam Elliott home near Bernhart and
there they were permitted to remain
until a few days ago when the town
ship trustees of Center township ap-
pealed to County Attorney J. A. Hug
lin to know what to do with them.
That officer ordered them brought to
Fairfield to be taken to the county