Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-15
PRIZE WINNERS ARE
ANNOUNCED AT BABY SHOW
Gold Medal Goes to Joseph Willis
kinker, of 8117 ChafIin
Street.
BEST BABY IS DISQUALIFIED
Almost Perfect Specimen From Es-
sex County Is Greatly Admired by
Judges, but State Records Fail to
Disclose Certificate of It's Birth.

pFouuccu the best specimen of baby
hood OF which tho official experts Of
the Better Babies Contest at the State
Fair has cognizance. But. after scor-
ing the highest record. a percentage
Of SO. that bouncing, healthy, we'll
developed. finely formed and excep-
ionally intelligent "Snooky-ookums"
was disqualified yesterday afternoon
by the board of Judges.
Tho blame is on Dad" 1t was all
his fault. for If Dad" had not neglect
ed to have the baby registered with
tho Bureau of Vital Statistics, Smoky
ookums' would have captured the cap
ltal prize. the big gold medal, which
Is to be awarded to-day 10 a Rich
mond babe.
PERFECT BABY FAILS
TO GET ANY AWARD
The doctors fairly chuckled with de-
light while they wero examining the
Essex County baby. for II was "a marvel
OF physical perfection. For time It
seemed that they had found the per-
rect baby. the baby whose physical and
mental qualifications would entitlc 1t
TO the perfect score Of 100. But when
weight. measurements, symmetry Of
BODY and other points were reckoned
by tho scoring committee. as the board
or Judges prefers to be known, a slight
nav was found In the diamond. and
tho Essex County baby was scored at
30. per cent below perfection.
When tho doctors questioned the
proud father and fond mamma. both Of
whom wer" at the mothers building
while the examination Of their off,
spring was In progress. they discovered
mat neither could recall having reg
hal ,rir no
OF Vital Statistics. The doctors were
suspicious. They proceeded to investi-
gate. Scrutiny OF the vital statistics
registry disclosed that the birth Of tho
paragon Of babies had never been re-
corded. The situation was embarrass-
Ing 10 the doctors and tho parents OF
the baby alike. And the cmbarrass-
ment of Dad" was made more acute
when ne had 10 acknowledge that he
was by profession a practic!ng physi-
clan.
MEDAL GOES TO JOSEPH
WILLIS KINkER, or RICHMOND
Too bad" said the doctors shaking
their heads reErettully. But the best
baby In the whole bouquet before us is
disharred. Under the rules and rcgula-
tons OF tho contest. only Virginia
babes whose births have been recorded.
as required by law. are eligible TO COM
pete.
So they awarded the first grand prize,
the big gold medal, TO tiny Joseph
Willis K!nkcr, seven month old son OF
MT and Mrs. John Willis kinke- of
3llI Cha!iin street. Richmond the
kinker baby's score being 81 IL
The Judges decided to keep secret
the identity OF the parents Of the dis
qua lifted Ia
The judging Of babies entered for
the contest was concluded Yesterday.
when the examining physicians. under
pr- y. Thomas Emmett. passed upon the
hi'E entrants IN the second division.
IN" mites ranging from one TO two
years ola.
Inc awards are 10 be made this af-
t"rnoon al o'clock. The la bics will
be assembled In the pony race course.
near the mothers building. Seating
accommodations have been provided
for 500
The Bahv SHOW viii he conducted
der the supcryis,o, of Mrs wi,,ia
Dprroyre nrosid,r, 90 49, E, ~
-, No,hs-., 6,,,,,,. ~ g. ION
80, -. 'i'''iii YIN
Fesis'er
D.,,r,non, '"e ''a'e 'ieai'h
1IE,,rt,x, yr co,.,r,,n
ELL SYN
inc FOUR medals arc TO be awarded
by Lieutenant Governor j. Taylor Ely
son. and the diplomas Will be con-
fcrred BY DR.. Plccker, each OF WHOM,
will deliver an address.
Nine diplomas will also he conferred
and a certificate vii, ba riyer 90 o,.r,,
haby in ono, Of ,, ,t
Mothers may ob,o;r ,no oar,te.
~. rair C:ro,nas 49,, .'tsA,e' d,
Ii,,om.. Wv ana
f'o"" ia "c'h awarded or may
uD'"'' ''e'h i"'e' al inc ONCE OF DR..
n 'ho OApi'ol 'uiiding.
mere Is the complete list OF the win
neFs OK the Eoid medal. the four bronze
medals and the nine diplomas:
First grand prize, gold medal-Joseph
Wills kinker' Richmond, son OF John
Wills Kinker: height. IS 1-2 inches;
weight. 20 IL pounds: perfect physical
measurements; age, months; total
percentage, 91.5.