The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-12-24
Unclothed
Tots Found
Using Fags.
Youngsters, 4 and 6, Rescued
From Miserable Hut
of Poverty and
Degradation.
Raw Potatoes Only Food

CARRIED only in underclothing and
making breakfast with only raw
potatoes for food in a miserable hut
to keep the occupants warm, Rev. j.
NJ. Wingett OF the First Methodist
church OF Gordon, Neb.. found two
shivering children, Edith, 4, and Mel
win. children of Roy Wilson.
Like the children, the father and
stepmother were without outer cloth
ing. The father and mother were idly
smoking cigarets to deaden the pangs
of hunger that gripped them.
While the minister was making in
quiries of their condition and seeking
10 find some method of relieving their
suffering, the two children non
chalantly reached to the table, picked
up the rice papers and tobacco and
rolled themselves cigarets, which they
smoked with the apparent pleasure
of veteran devotees of Lady Nicotine.
Father Aids Boy.
While his sister rolled her pill"
with the utmost ease, the boy en-
eountered some difficulty and was
aided by his father in making his
smoke of the proper size and shape.
Gordon charity workers were in
formed of the deplorable conditions
under which the family was living
and the apparent unwllingness of the
father and stepmother TO properly
provide for the two babies that were
rapidly sinking to the lowest levels
of immortality. Arrangements We're
made to have the children removed
from their pitiful surroundings and
made state charges.
The father willingly gave up the
custody of his children to the charity
workers lie stated that he was un-
able financially to provide better
home for them.
Sent to Omaha.
The case was taken to the court at
Gordon and the two children ordered
committed to the custody of the Ne
braska Children's Home society. Rev.
r. Il. Rails, in charge of the Omaha
receiving station. was notified of the
situation and informed the court that
his society would care for the chill
dren.
Both are of the fairy book type with
their large blue eyes and golden hair.
And, although dressed in old overalls
and an old. dirty gingham dress, the
two tiny round-shaped faces smiled as
they told of the unbelievable condi-
tions existing in their former home.
Rev. r. B. Rails. who brought the
children to the Nebraska Children $
Home society late yesterday after
noon, showed them the Christmas
tree decorated with tinsel and beauti-
full ornaments.
Gives Up Smoking.
II never did see Santa Claus be-
fore" said Melvin. II want coaster
and il l get it, 1 won't smoke any
more.
And tell Mr.. Sanity to bring M a
doll" volunteered Edith. Tell him l
never went to school, but l can write
and spell my own name. Melvin
taught me-"
At Gordon, the children lived with
their father and stepmother, whom
they refused TO call mother.
"She always told us to call her Ma
bel said Melvin.
And l couldn't call her mother"
said Edith.
Carries Playing Cards.
Melvin handled a timeworn dirty
pack of playing cards and explained
that he could play ''rummy" and 9TH
er games.
Can you play bridge?" asked the
Rev. Mr.. Rails.
Yes. London bridge" answered
Melvin.
The two children are of the smast-
est and prettiest ever received at the
home. according to DR.. Rails. They
will be examined and trained and will
then be ready for placement in some
/ home within a few weeks.
Il would like to have them both
raised in one home," he said, because
they like each other and play well,
making little noise. 1t is hard to
believe that these children were rails
ed in such a degrading home