Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-28
MAINE BRANCH OF
LITTLE WANDERERS
HOME WORK DONE

The work of the Maine branch OF ths
New England Little Wanderers Home
has grown to great proportions during the
short time that it has been established in
this city. Cases are coming in so fast
that it keeps an office force of three or
four girls busy the entire time and there
are now over so families In the State
waiting for something to be done for
them in the problems which their family
conditions and relations present.
A report of the meeting of the COM
mittee having these cases in hand. which
was held Monday evening will give the
public slight idea of how much work
is accomplished by this organization and
the scope of its endeavors in the State.
The first case under consideration wa.
that of a six months old baby here in
Waterville The baby was not receiving
proper care. This was brought to the at
tention of City Marshal Finnemore, who
In turn reported it to Miss Gaylord. who
is at the head OF the Office OF the Little
Wanderers Home In this city.
The baby was born In Waldo county in
little shack at the edge OF the woods
six miles from a village. The mother
was alone when the baby came and did
what she could for the little one and a
few days later succumbed to blood poison
ing. woman relative Of hers from Wa
terville went to the shack and kept house
for the father and cared for the baby AMI
another three-year-old daughter. Tho
woman later brought the baby home ami
lived in poor quarter of the city. II
rpnOrteI that she W. npgloctinr th,,
baby and upon investigation the little ons
was taken away from her and placed I'M
der the care Of Mrs Ada Hunt.
A little later the woman was to 20 to
a hospital for treatment and she told
Miss Gaylord that the little girl, who was
with her father, was being abused This
was verified and the three-year-o child,
who has been living alone in a shack in
the woods with half-crazed and abusive
father, will soon have the protecting arm
OF the law thrown about her. The case
| is in the hands of the sheriff of that
county. who will report to Miss Gaylord.
Another case in York county was that
of a well-to-do farmer who was presum-
ably a respectable and Woodworking man.
having three children, the oldest of whom
was nine years of age and none Of them
had ever attended school. The case was
called to the attention of Miss Gaylord
and brought before the committee. Tho
proper action was taken and the children
are in school.
Another case Of young mother about
81 years of age with four children, two
Of them twins who were born last May.
was brought up before the COMMITTEES.
The mother was well educated, refined,
ambitious, and the babies were fine. heal
thy-looking children. Discouraged with
the neglect Of the father, the mother was
almost at the end of her resources The
case was brought to the attention OF the
committee and it was decided to take the
children to board for three months and
give the mother chance to recuperate.
Finally an aunt came forward with as
sistance at the request of the COMMITTEES
and the woman and her children have
just been settled in a small home near the
aunt and provisions for her comfort have
been made for the space of a year. This
was also in York county.
| All Of this work. however. Is not Of
such depressing character Many chill
dren have been placed in homes through
this agency. Frightening not only their
own lives but those of the families with
whom they live. One young girl OF -
was recently found home with a chiln-
| less couple who are prepared not only TO
give her all the material things Of this
world but who give her the care and love
which she has been missing since the
loss OF her parents.
| Thasa ara hut few ~ fhA raaAa Italian
up at one meeting but they serve to show
the nature OF the work and the multi
plicity of duties which are demanded from
the local office.
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