The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1914-12-29


log hut consisted of three rooms, two
down stairs and one up. As the par
ty entered the home they found the
two youngest children huddled up be-
hind the stove, trying to keep warm,
They had but little clothing to cover
their bodies. No under clothing and
no stockings. One of the children had
on portion of a boys suit. Their
shoes were worn out and their feet
were exposed to the cold. The IA
year-old adopted daughter, Opal
Young, was attired In scanty clothing
and had on a pair of old felt boots and
no stockings. The young girl was ap-
motherhood. The faces
and hands of the children we're so
covered with dirt that 1t was impos-
sible to distinguish their features.
An inspection of the house showed
that the only thing to eat was bas-
ket of rotten apples, few potatoes
and three loaves of bread that was
stale. The father was
blind in one eye and stated that he
could find no work to do. Stewart
stated to the officials that he did not
have cent of money.
The Mt. Vernon officials noticed at
once the condition of the 14-year-old
girl. The father was taken into anoth-
er room and questioned, but said he
knew nothing concerning the condi-
tion of the girl. A further examina-
ton brought out the fact that the girl
was an imbecile. The mother was
next questioned about the condition
of the girl, but she refused to give
the officials any information.
Next the officials decided to Ques-
tion the girl and accordingly she was
taken into another room and Sheriff
Woolison, Judge Wilkins and Mrs.
Kerst started to question her.
Juvenile Officer Purcell was left
In the room with the father and moth.
or. Suddenly the woman sprang up
and said, "By G., they are trying to
make that girl tell something" and
at the same time grabbed a stick Of
wood and struck Juvenile Officer Pur-
cell over the head. Sheriff Woolison
and Judge Wilkins heard the scuffle
and hastened to the assistance Of Mr..
Purcell. AS the sheriff emerged from
the other room he was struck sting
Ing blow in the mouth by Stewart.
The father, the mother and the three
children then Joined in the attack on
The officials.
In the meantime, Walter Lake, the
chauffeur, was inspecting the upper
room Of the house. Hearing the bat
tie going on below, he lost no time
In getting downstairs and taking a
hand. He Knocked the stick Of wood
out of the woman's hand and then
grabbed the two youngest chilrden
and held them securely. Judge Will
kins hello the oldest child and Sheriff
Woolison and officer Purcell grappled
with the father and mother. The
scufIle lasted over twenty minutes,
and at last the parents surrendered
and stated that they would listen to
a further talk from the officials.
1t was decided to remove the three
children from the hut, but when 1t
came time to start it was found that
there was but little clothing to COW
or the bodies of the children. Sheriff
Juvenile Oficer Purcell
and Walter Lake gave up their over
coats and these were wrapped about
the three children and they were
placed in the automobile and taken
to Greersville. Mrs. Kerst consented
to keep the two youngest children un-
I'll further arrangements could be
made in securing them a home. The
officials took the 14-year-old girl to
the Knox county infirmary, where she
will be kept for the present A Mt.
Vernon physician made an examina'
ton of her condition on Monday and
found her very near motherhood.
The officials learned from their in
vestigation that the family had been
in destitute circumstances for some
time. The humane society investi-
gated the case twice before and the
superintendent Of the infirmary was
called last summer, but conditions
at that time were not as serious as
they were found on Sunday.
Arrangements will also be made to
give the father and mother food and
clothing and the trustees will proba.
bly, see that they are taken care OF
during the remainder Of the winter
"In all my experience, it is the
worst case Of restitution and poverty
that ever saw" said Juvenile Off
Ger Purcell in discussing the case to a