The names of Lamoni Children’s Home residents have been found through a variety of ways. Census (see last blog), 1. church publications, 2. newspapers, 3. cemeteries and 4. court records. Recreating a list of all children who spent time at the Home has become a goal.
1. Church publications: through the years several Reorganized Latter Day Saints’ church publications had regular reports from the Children’s Home. Publications include Autumn Leaves, Reports to the General Conference, Journal of History and The Saints’ Herald.
Letter to Saints’ Herald April 7, 1915 p. 345
“I am thankful for the provisions we have in the church, for the poor; the Children’s Home, the college, the homes for the aged, and the Sanitarium, all to help and bless the people of God.
I was the cook in the Children’s Home for a time, and if there are any who are in doubt about the home, let them lay all fears aside and do all in their power to help those who are so bravely carrying on the work. The children had good care, and were seemingly very happy there, with loving counsel and advice given by Father and Mother Robinson.
While there we were all made sad by the unfortunate accident that caused the first death, and left the home without Baby Charles. I will never forget the beautiful Gospel talk Brother Robinson gave those children about that lovely country where baby had gone and how they should live in order to meet him. I thought, how good that those children could have such a kind father, for I knew there are many homes that do not have such teachings.”
Mrs. William Case Dowker
It is reports such as this that hold so much information about how many Inmates were at the Home:
Saints’ Herald v 62, April 14, 1915, p. 368
“The children of the Home of school age have attended school in the public schools of Lamoni.
Since the home was started there have been 33 applications for children. Twelve have been placed in homes, and 3 of these have been returned.
The number of children in the home on this date is 22; 11 girls and 11 boys, ages 2 years to 17 years.”
2. Newspapers provided some clues, such as the tragic death of Charles Ellison:
The tragic news spread quickly.
30 Aug 1912 Charles Ellison, a two-year-old boy, an inmate of the Saint’s Children’s home at this place, fell out of a window of a second story of the home and died about two hours later. [Quad-City Times (Davenport, IA) and The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA)]
The parents are separated He was brought here several months ago from a sanitarium at Independence, MO. The Robinsons wished to adopt the child. [Evening Times-Republican (Marshall, IA), p. 1]
There must have been gasps and screams when the Superintendent, Matron and other children realized that Baby Charles fell from the window as reported in the Lamoni Chronicle.
The Saints’ Herald reported Charles Ellison was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery.
[The Saints’ Herald, 11 Sep 1912 p. 890]
The death of Baby Charles Ellison became regional news.
3. Cemeteries provide clues also.
Here is the grave of Charlie Alma Ellison at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Lamoni, Iowa. On Findagrave.com indexed as Charley Alma Ellison 19 Aug 1910 – 28 Aug 1912. Plot 699, Grave 1 Memorial ID 163507188.
Another child died while at the Children’s Home. Bertha Dortha Perry died on 07 Mar 1914 and is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery. Bertha Dorothy Perry was born 24 May 1909. Memorial ID 144324640.
The Saints’ Herald posted the following obituary for Bertha Dortha Perry.
[March 18, 1914 The Saints’ Herald, p. 262]
Another news making story was that of Josephine Morgan of Sedalia, MO who left her infant child at Children’s Home in May of 1912. Mrs. Mabel Gaulter Page and her daughter Mrs. Blanche Vaughn ended up in jail after attempts to take child from Children’s Home. The girl is Jessie Gaulter, 10 years old.
There were many reports of the trial, witnesses and reports of this case. Nearby Leon Journal-Reporter included the fact that the child was at the Children’s Home.
4. Court Records
Another research source is Decatur County District Court. This example is the Iowa U.S., Wills and Probate Records 1758-1997. Decatur, Probate Card Files 1873-1926, Box 103-Box 107.
This file describes that Jessie is a minor subject to guardianship, and whose father has no legal custody and is not within this State. Also whose Mother has no legal right to guardianship and is an unfit person to have the care and custody of said child, and is not a resident of the State of Iowa. That said applicant is a sister of said minor Jessie M. Gaulter. The papers go on to say: Jessie M. Page is now in the Children’s Home at Lamoni, Iowa and is being cared for by said Home. The case was dropped and the family returned home.
A 1913 report in the Lamoni Chronicle told of a pair of twins arriving at the Home due to death of mother and the father is fighting in France.
The following story tells of a young woman from undue hardship arriving with an infant.
[The Saints’ Herald, June 4, 1913, vol 60, p. 553]
These stories represent the sometimes-difficult, heart-breaking situations that children experienced. The Church papers often report the good work of Home and constant call for donations and support were called for. Below is an example of the 1913 Bishop’s Report regarding support of the Children’s Home. First is donations received such as candy, clothing and hankerchiefs.
Secondly, in the same report of financial donations I gleaned even more names of children: Keep of Cato children, Hall children, Motter boy and Bowman children. Report of Joseph Roberts, Treasurer of Children’s Home, from May 1, 1912 to January 1, 1913.
[The Saints’ Herald, March 26, 1913, Vol. 60 p. 310]
You can see why this research will continue, I don’t want to miss any of the children, from whatever source I can find. Do you know of any sources that would help in this search?
Geneographer 