Letter to the "Officers of the Baptist Orphan's Home" from A. J. Frazier, March 30th, 1892.

Letter to the Baptist Home from A. J. Frazier in Sacramento, Kentucky, describing the trial between F. F. Gibson, Shanks, and severe the abuse of two boys entrusted in their care. He mentions a newspaper article published by J. W. Vancleave about the case.

A. J. Frazier- the Justice of the Peace of McClean Co, KY- writes to the Home at the request of "Baptist Bretherin" in Sacramento, KY. He provides a detailed account of the case of the Commonwealth against H. H. Gibson (who wrote to the Home in 1891 asking for a "spritely young boy") and Shanks, which details the abuse of two boys from the Home who are living with Gibson as adopted children. Frazier was meant to examine Oscar and Cleaveland after issuing a writ for Gibson and Shanks for a misdemeanor, but found the childrens' conditions so poor that he called in a doctor to examine and dress their wounds. He states that Cleaveland was "a great deal worse hurt than Oscar," but describes Oscar's injuries: "Oscar had several bruises and scars on his body, head, and his little penis had the appearance of being cut or pulled nearly off close up to his belly." Gibson stated on oath that Shanks was the abuser, but that he ordered him to whip the boys to "make them work." Frazier wants to try the men for Mayhem; Shanks is ordered to appear in court on June 4th, 1892, but Gibson's lawyer got him out on bond. He says that several citizens made application to take the children away from Gibson, but he "begged them to let the officers of the Home act first in the case." He mentions a newspaper article published by J. W. Vancleave about the case. Letter marked Sacramento, KY.

Manuscript Collection, The Filson Historical Society

Mss_BJ_B222-03_049