Browse Items (877 total)
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Letter to W. L. Weller from Ms. Sallie Crawford, July 18th, 1894.
Sallie Crawford writes to the Home on behalf of Carrie Posey, a woman interested in adopting a girl 12 years old. She states that the Poseys are "quite a clever family of people," are a family of four "all grown," and have a "lovely country home." Crawford ends the letter asking if the Home has "any more 'Callies.'" It seems that the Crawfords adopted a girl named Callie from the Home that was kind and "now a young lady." Letter marked Corydon, KY. In a letter from 24 July 1894, Posey writes to say that she cannot "give the young girl a home." She states that her 71 year old mother objects to the adoption, and hopes that the Home is not inconvenienced. Letter marked Corydon, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. W. C. Brandon, January 23rd, 1894.
Dr. Brandon writes to the Home requesting information on adopting a "nice little girl with smath temper and industrious and of a good family 9 or 10 years old." He states that he and his wife do not have children, and that the girl would be mostly for company for his wife. Another letter is included from L. B. Andrews, J. W. Taylor, A. J. Taylor, and G. W. Taylor providing a reference to the character of the Brandons. The letterhead is marked W. C. Brandon, M.D., Diseases of Women and Surgery Generally a Speciality. Letter marked Vealsburg, KY. In a letter from 30 Dec 1893, Brandon specifies the type of child he and his wife would like: "blk or brown eyes and h[hair] and smart both mentaly and moraly and with smooth temper and easly controled of American descent and with a good constitution [and] not so overly large to its age." He says that they will take the girl as an apprentice but will leave her a child's portion of his estate if she treats them well in their old age. Letter marked Vealsburg, KY. In a letter from 23 Jan 1894, Brandon writes to the Home about Minnie, the girl he and his wife adopted from the Home. He says that they could not have found a child better suited to them, and goes into detail about how happy he and his wife are with her, including her intelligence, demeanor, and adjustment. He also writes that he himself is a "half orphan," as his father died when he was young and his mother never remarried. Letter marked Vealsburg, KY. In a letter from 20 May 1894, J. W. Taylor writes to the Home to say that he was "so badley mistaken in Mr. W. C. Brandon when we recomendid him to you as a good home for one of the children." He says that he "has never cared the child to church sinc she has bin hear" and explains that Brandon taught Minnie to play checkers on Sunday. He states that "he has bin making minnie cut all the wood they cooked with for a weak or mor" and suggests she be taken away from him. Letter marked Vealsburg, KY. In an undated letter from box 11, Brandon writes asking to be contacted "8 or 10 days before you send her" so he knows when to expect her in Paducah. He also asks for her place of birth. Letter marked Vealsburg, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. S. N. Docker, February 28th, 1894.
Docker writes to the Home inquiring after "little Boys for adoption." She specifies that she would like one 5 or 6 years of age, bright, and of good parentage. Letter marked Metropolis City, Illinois.
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Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Roger Eastman, December 15th, 1893.
Eastman writes to Weller to thank him for answering her first letter asking about adopting a child. She also asks questions about the available children, including their nationality, legitimacy, and desirability. Letter marked Nashville, TN. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. R. S. Evans, May 30th, 1894.
Evans writes to the Home regarding a little girl in Tennessee whom she wants to be taken into the Home. She says that the "child is making her home in this city with an uncle and aunt," but she wants to "get the child from her present surroundings before it is too late." Letter marked Bowling Green, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. R. A. Fife, June 9th, 1894.
Fife writes to the Home asking to adopt a boy, and specifies that he "would want the oldest boy you have now." He says that he lived in Leitchfield, KY for several years but now lives in Cecilia, KY. He includes several references from Leitchfield. Letter marked Cecilia, KY. In a response letter, Fife states that he thinks "the boy" will suit him, but has questions regarding his health, disposition, complexion, and intelligence. In a second letter from 8 May 1894, Fife states that he and his wife prefer to see "the girl before we take her," so they will come to the Home in 3-4 weeks. Letter marked Cecilia, KY. In a letter from 30 May 1894, Mrs. Fife writes that she received Weller's letter late and so did not respond, but that she can come to the Home in 3-4 weeks and is interested in a boy around 8 years old. She asks if any boy at the Home has been raised in the city, and "if he would like to come to the county to life and oblige." Letter marked Riney Vill, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. R. A. Fife and B. F. Fife, May 30th, 1894.
Fife writes to the Home asking to adopt a boy, and specifies that he "would want the oldest boy you have now." He says that he lived in Leitchfield, KY for several years but now lives in Cecilia, KY. He includes several references from Leitchfield. Letter marked Cecilia, KY. In a response letter, Fife states that he thinks "the boy" will suit him, but has questions regarding his health, disposition, complexion, and intelligence. In a second letter from 8 May 1894, Fife states that he and his wife prefer to see "the girl before we take her," so they will come to the Home in 3-4 weeks. Letter marked Cecilia, KY. In a letter from 30 May 1894, Mrs. Fife writes that she received Weller's letter late and so did not respond, but that she can come to the Home in 3-4 weeks and is interested in a boy around 8 years old. She asks if any boy at the Home has been raised in the city, and "if he would like to come to the county to life and oblige." Letter marked Riney Vill, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. P. L. Steagall, December 13th, 1894.
Steagall writes to Weller regarding his bonds. He encloses the paperwork and says he is sick in bed and asks if "the boy" can be sent to help him. Letter marked Scotts Sta. In a letter from 1 June 1894, Mrs. P. L. Steagall writes to Weller to "get a boy to raise as [her] own." She says she will do right by him and give him $500 when he is 21 years old. She asks for the boy to be sent to Scotts Sta. Letter marked Scotts Station, Shelby Co., KY. In a letter from 13 Dec 1894, Steagall writes to Weller about Hugh. She says that he is doing well but that "he has an awful temper and that makes so much against him." She asks for his sisters and brother's information, and asks if Weller knows of "a poor man who is in need of a good home" who could milk and tend a large garden. Letter marked Scotts Sta, Shelby Co., KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Napper, November 27th, 1894.
Mrs. Napher [? Name smudged badly] writes to the Home regarding the girl she adopted, Ida Irvin. She says that "its impossible for [her] to keep her," and that she has "tried to teach her to be a good girl have offered her a good home a long as she behaved and tried to half way right- but its all useless." She complains about the language Ida uses in front of her daughter, that she put her "under false impression," and that she "slips out and goes buggy riding with the boys." She says that she is sending her back on the 11 o'clock train on the 28th. Letter marked LaGrange, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. N. M. Sanderson, March 1st, 1894.
Mrs. N. M. Sanderson writes to the Home "in behalf of his little children," Mary (7 years old) and Willie (6 years old) Freeman. The children's father is dead and their mother is very poor and is desperate for the children to be placed in the Home. Sanderson includes references for the children, and a note on one side of the letter from M. A. H. (very likely Mary Hollingsworth) asks that the children be checked out by a doctor and admitted. Letter marked Cave City, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Mira Ash, August 29th, 1894.
Mrs. Amie Goodman writes to the Home regarding her sister, Eliza. She says that she is between 6 and 8 years old and is blind in one eye and was left at the Home last winter sometime. She says that she is married now and wishes to adopt Eliza, as she is her only sister and can take care of her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 19 June 1894, H. C. Kenduck of the Home of Methodist Orphans writes to the Home regarding Eliza Collard. She says that Amie Goodman wrote to them, but they have no record of her, and want to see if the Home had her. Letter marked Louisville, KY. In a letter from 26 June 1894, Amie writes that she is unable to come to pick up Eliza, but that she can send money for Eliza to be brought to her. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 30 June 1894, Amie says she encloses $1 and the necessary bonds. She says that she can meet her July 3rd if she is sent, and the letter is signed also by William R. Goodman. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 20 August 1894, Mrs. Mira Ash writes to the Home to say that "there is a great deal of complaint of the home that little Eliza Collard has." She goes on to say that Amie stayed with her before she was married and though "it seems strange to say that she would treat her little sister so unkind," she is satisfied that what she has heard is true. She says that the house they stay in is very small, they do not send Eliza to school, allow her to nap, or get her new clothes, and won't allow other children to come over to play with her. Eliza told Ash that she wants to "come back up there but is afraid to tell them because she thinks that they will whip her." The situation is time-sensitive, as the Goodmans are moving "next Thurs. 23rd" to Summit, KY, where "they will be in a neighborhood where the people are something like themselves and would allow the child to be treated most any way." She says for the Home to contact Mr. and Mrs. G. H. Floyd and Mrs. Soncinda Scipses for more information. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 29 August 1894, Ash writes to say that the Goodmans moved to East View, KY, not Summit. She says that the last she spoke to Eliza she was being treated very poorly and could "scarcely find a worse home." She says she hopes the Home will inquire soon, and says "to be very plain about it Amie is not (or does not seem to be) very bright and is of a very strange and unpleasant disposition." She also says "Eliza was almost without clothes when she left," implying that the Goodmans have already departed for East View. Letter marked Hodgenville, KY. In a letter from 31 August 1894, a letter from Mrs. Amie Goodman inquires about adopting a boy 9 or 10 years old to Mrs. Leharly Johnson. On the back of the letter, Hallie Coombs writes to Weller: "This must be from Eliza Deppen (or Collard's sister). Miss Hollingsworth said you had better look well into it as you had such a bad report from Eliza." Letter marked East View, Hardin Co., KY. In a letter from 25 Oct 1894, Amie writes to the Home. She says she thinks it "impossible for [her] to keep her as [she] cannot do nothing with her." She says she thinks it would be best for both of them to send Eliza back to the Home. Letter marked East View, KY.
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Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Maggie Meguiar, June 7th, 1891.
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Maggie Meguiar of Franklin, Kentucky, asking for Ora to return to her so she can drink the mineral water in the summer and keep her company. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. M. L. L. Cunningham, November 13th, 1894.
Cunningham writes to Weller that she received his letter from the 12th and is "going to do as you told me. Get married." She says that she is getting married on Thursday before Christmas and that "He is able to take care of us all so don’t let them go and I will come after them." She says she will come within 3-4 weeks. Letter marked Memphis, TN. In a letter from 3 Dec 1894, Cunningham thanks Weller for keeping her "little darling children." She says that she has been sick and will come for her children in about 3 weeks. Letter marked Memphis, TN. In an undated letter in box 12, Lele writes to Weller regarding her "babes," asking how they are doing, "what they say about Mama not coming back," and asking him to not let anyone take them. She says that she knows she "can take them myself after awhile." Letter marked Memphis, TN.
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Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. M. L. L. Cunningham, December 3rd, 1894.
Cunningham writes to Weller that she received his letter from the 12th and is "going to do as you told me. Get married." She says that she is getting married on Thursday before Christmas and that "He is able to take care of us all so don’t let them go and I will come after them." She says she will come within 3-4 weeks. Letter marked Memphis, TN. In a letter from 3 Dec 1894, Cunningham thanks Weller for keeping her "little darling children." She says that she has been sick and will come for her children in about 3 weeks. Letter marked Memphis, TN. In an undated letter in box 12, Lele writes to Weller regarding her "babes," asking how they are doing, "what they say about Mama not coming back," and asking him to not let anyone take them. She says that she knows she "can take them myself after awhile." Letter marked Memphis, TN. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. M. C. Markham, October 18th, 1894.
Markham writes to the Home to inquire about adopting a child between 6 months and 3 years old. She specifies that she and her husband have no children and are poor, but would take care of the child as if it were their own. She also specifies that the child should be: from a good family, a "true Kentuckian," good looking, well formed, stout, healthy, and neither redheaded or freckled face. She says that the child can be sent to her and she will settle the expenses, and also included multiple references. Letter marked Bowling Green, KY. In a letter from 13 Oct 1894, Markham writes again to inquire about the process of receiving her child. She asks if the child can be delivered by a conductor, as she doesn't have the money to travel to pick up the child. She also says that she wants "a little boy about 6 or 8 months old and as pretty as you have." Letter marked Bowling Green, KY. In a letter from 18 Oct 1894, Markham asks if her husband could come Saturday to the Home with the "recomendations" and pick up the infant. She says also that she would prefer to adopt rather than take on apprenticeship. She reiterates that she is not rich, but that the child will "always have plenty." She says that she is "well known in this place," her father is an established businessman, and he can ask anyone in town about this. She asks for finalizing adoption details. Letter marked Bowling Green, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. M. C. Markham, October 13th, 1894.
Markham writes to the Home to inquire about adopting a child between 6 months and 3 years old. She specifies that she and her husband have no children and are poor, but would take care of the child as if it were their own. She also specifies that the child should be: from a good family, a "true Kentuckian," good looking, well formed, stout, healthy, and neither redheaded or freckled face. She says that the child can be sent to her and she will settle the expenses, and also included multiple references. Letter marked Bowling Green, KY. In a letter from 13 Oct 1894, Markham writes again to inquire about the process of receiving her child. She asks if the child can be delivered by a conductor, as she doesn't have the money to travel to pick up the child. She also says that she wants "a little boy about 6 or 8 months old and as pretty as you have." Letter marked Bowling Green, KY. In a letter from 18 Oct 1894, Markham asks if her husband could come Saturday to the Home with the "recomendations" and pick up the infant. She says also that she would prefer to adopt rather than take on apprenticeship. She reiterates that she is not rich, but that the child will "always have plenty." She says that she is "well known in this place," her father is an established businessman, and he can ask anyone in town about this. She asks for finalizing adoption details. Letter marked Bowling Green, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Laura Hayes, September 19th, 1894.
Mrs. Hayes writes to Weller to say "it is with great pleasher that I write to you that we are dissatifide of your all children they dont suit me and we want to send them back." She asks for Weller to answer the letter immediately so that she can send the children back from Paducah on the morning train. Letter marked Bardwell, KY. In a letter from 19 Sept 1894, Hayes responds to Weller asking about the objections to the children. She says that "they Joy us and are saucy and fight with one another and another thing we had some small change about the house the other day and the little boy got hold of some money [...] and never asked us for it." She goes on to say that her mother is getting old and doesn't like "bad children." Letter marked Bardwell, KY. On a telegraph from 20 Sept 1894, Daniel Hayes writes "the children leave elevent thirty five tonight." Letter marked Palmer House, Paducah, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Laura Hayes and Mr. Daniel Hayes, September 14th, 1894.
Mrs. Hayes writes to Weller to say "it is with great pleasher that I write to you that we are dissatifide of your all children they dont suit me and we want to send them back." She asks for Weller to answer the letter immediately so that she can send the children back from Paducah on the morning train. Letter marked Bardwell, KY. In a letter from 19 Sept 1894, Hayes responds to Weller asking about the objections to the children. She says that "they Joy us and are saucy and fight with one another and another thing we had some small change about the house the other day and the little boy got hold of some money [...] and never asked us for it." She goes on to say that her mother is getting old and doesn't like "bad children." Letter marked Bardwell, KY. On a telegraph from 20 Sept 1894, Daniel Hayes writes "the children leave elevent thirty five tonight." Letter marked Palmer House, Paducah, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. Laura Gould Porter, November 14th, 1894.
Porter writes to the Home to ask if it accepts illegitimate children, clarifying "say 3 or 4 of one woman that had since 15 years old." She asks to remain anonymous, and says that she will come to Louisville with her father Mr. N. U. Gould and explain further. Letter marked Somerset, KY. -
Letter to W. L. Weller from Mrs. K. P. Van Der Veer, October 19th, 1893.
Mrs. K. P. Van Der Veer, principal of the East Kentucky Institute, writes to Hollingsworth regarding two small children who live with their mother, who is "as low as a woman could well be." Van Der Veer asserts that they live "just back of me," so she "knows all the facts." She explains that the woman, Mrs. Magrim, cannot take care of her two girls, who are 1 and 4. Van Der Veer asks Hollingsworth to send the paperwork and someone to get the girls as soon as possible, because she is afraid that if they wait too long, Magrim will "refuse to part with them." Letter marked Catlettsburg, KY. In a follow-up letter 19 Oct 1893, Van Der Veer writes that the Maginnis children are 11 months (Bessie), and almost 4 (Susie). She says that they are intelligent and sound in mind and body, but that Bessie is teething and can get cross. She asks if it is possible to "always keep" the girls in the Home so that "no temptations could come to them." She also wishes she could do something for the mother and writes that she is trying to help another woman in the area to get into the Home of the Friendless who tried to kill herself three times in the last month.