Feature Article on Children‘s
Home. Topic: DOWNTOWN/BUILDINGS
Written by Rich Wallace in July,
1995
TRAGEDY PROMPTED CONSTRUCTION OF SHELBY COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME...Pg 2 |
| In the early 1890's, the
General Assembly passed a law forbidding just what Shelby County was doing: housing
children in an Infirmary. The Commissioners were faced with a mandate eerily similar to
the one with which Sheriff Schemmel was recently confronted: comply with the law and make
other housing arrangements for those in your care. The commissioners took steps to
transfer 16 children from the Infirmary to the Logan County Children's Home at a cost of
$1.75 per child per week. Now, money was also an issue. Among those shipped to
Bellefontaine were Shang Effie May, Frank and Fred Williams, and Carey and Ida Barbee. Some were left behind. Among them: little 3 year old Evelyn Wyford. Her mother was in the insane ward at the Infirmary. After some thought Superintendent Guthrie decided to advertise beautiful, blond haired Evelyn for adoption. Mr. and Mrs. Albert Strickland of Middletown applied and the adoption was completed. Evelyn Wyford left for a strange town with her new parents.
One can hardly imagine the shock and revulsion of those who picked up the July 21, 1893 edition of the Shelby County Democrat and read what had become of little Evelyn. Word had just been received from the Cincinnati Enquirer that city officials had entered the Strickland home upon the complaint of neighbors who heard the anguished cries of a child in pain. The Democrat reported that "The poor little thing had apparently been the target of insane rage, for its tender body was marked...most horribly from head to foot, and around its throat were the prints of strangling fingers." [ Back ] [ Next ] [ Up ] [ New Search ] |
