Thanks to contributor #4886444;
The following article is from the Kearney Daily Hub, page 3 of the December 21, 1906 edition. (Parentheticals are insertions by J. Keith Cook in 2011, added for clarification.
HALPIN BOYS ARE SADLY NEGLECTED
Set to Work by Guardian Instead of Sent to School
THINLY CLAD AND POORLY FED
Miserable Conditions of Children Attracts Attention - Leads to Court Investigation - Testimony Taken
Thomas and Robert Halpin, two boys, the oldest being only fifteen years of age who are living with their guardian in Valley County, have been the victims of alleged neglect which comes but little short of being actual cruelty.
The boys are the heirs to a 320 acre farm in this (Buffalo) county, inherited from their farther, James Halpin, who died three years ago. Their mother was taken to the asylum for the insane at Lincoln (actually, it was in Hastings, NE, not Lincoln) and the boys were placed in the care of their uncle in Valley County, who was appointed their guardian. (That guardian was their fathers brother.)
But little was known of the lives of the boys after leaving this county to live with their guardian, and it is probable that no inquiry would have been made concerning them had it not been for the condition of the boys, which attracted
attention of neighbors as the time of their mothers funeral, which has held on December 4 (1906) from the home of her brother, Thomas Nethery, in Valley County (in Mira Valley, 8 miles south of Ord, NE). Mrs. Halpin passed away in the asylum at Lincoln (Hastings) and the body was brought there (to Valley County) for burial. (Actually, while the funeral was in Valley County the burial was in
the family plot in Pleasanton, Buffalo County, NE. There is something wrong about the December 4 funeral date, because she died - according to her tombstone - September 6, so surely the funeral had to within two or four days after that.
There was no cremation in those days, and in those days a body would not have been kept three months unless it was frozen, but a September body would not be frozen.)
Her sons attracted the attention of those present at the funeral by their neglected appearance and the exceedingly poor condition of their clothing. One of those in attendance wrote to Judge Marston telling of the condition of the boys and the fact that they were obliged to work hard, although they need to go to school, one of them even being unable to write his own name.
Judge Marston immediately wrote to County Judge Gudmundsen at Ord, enclosing the letter he had received, and an investigation was started, testimony being taken in the county court in regard to the condition of the boys. Those examined were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Nethery (brother of Mrs. Halpin) and James A. Ollis, whose testimony was taken down in writing and sent to Judge Marston. (James A.
Ollis would have been either James Armstrong Ollis or his son James Ammiel Ollis, both of whom lived near the Netherys at the time; plus James Ammiel Ollis and Thomas Nethery were brothers-in-law, having married sisters. The witness in court was most likely James Ammiel Ammie Ollis.)
In the letter from Judge Gudmundsen accompanying the testimony he states that he is personally acquainted with the witnesses, who are of unquestioned integrity.
Mr. Nethery testified that he knew the boys and had seen them at the funeral of their mother. They were delicate looking boys and he had never seen children more poorly clad. Both looked neglected, ill fed and as if they lacked the proper care. In telling of the work they did he stated that they husked corn all day, and in addition had to milk twelve cows and do other chores usually
done on a farm. They had very little education.
In her testimony Mrs. Nethery (this would be Hattie, the second wife of Thomas Nethery) stated that the children were fearfully neglected. Their clothes appeared as if they were seldom if ever washed, and made of the poorest
material, and insufficient to keep the wearers warm this time of the year. She knew they did not get the attention children should have and that they were kept
t work instead of going to school.
James Ollis corroborated the testimony given, showing that the boys were poorly and thinly clad, and showed plain evidences of neglect. One of them wore a pair
of womans shoes, much too large for him and badly worn. He had never seen children so poorly dressed and neglected.
In addition to the land left the boys by their father there was some personal property, and sufficient has been allowed by order of the Buffalo County court, which appointed the guardian, for the support of the boys.
Judge Marston has now requested the guardian to bring the boys to his county, where they could go to school, or if unable to do so, to send them down.
(J. Keith Cook note - the uncle who treated the Halpin boys with cruelty appears to be the Mr Halpin who is buried in OConner Cemetery in Greeley, NE [Findagrave #58109795], and whose tombstone reads simply, Father Halpin, born
1838, died 1916. Mother Halpin is buried beside him. The sons of Tillie and James Halpin are buried beside their parents James and Tillie in Pleasanton, NE.
Both grew to adulthood. One married. Tommie died in 1967 at age 73. Bob died in 1958 at age 63.)
The following article is from the Kearney Daily Hub, page 3 of the December 21, 1906 edition. (Parentheticals are insertions by J. Keith Cook in 2011, added for clarification.
HALPIN BOYS ARE SADLY NEGLECTED
Set to Work by Guardian Instead of Sent to School
THINLY CLAD AND POORLY FED
Miserable Conditions of Children Attracts Attention - Leads to Court Investigation - Testimony Taken
Thomas and Robert Halpin, two boys, the oldest being only fifteen years of age who are living with their guardian in Valley County, have been the victims of alleged neglect which comes but little short of being actual cruelty.
The boys are the heirs to a 320 acre farm in this (Buffalo) county, inherited from their farther, James Halpin, who died three years ago. Their mother was taken to the asylum for the insane at Lincoln (actually, it was in Hastings, NE, not Lincoln) and the boys were placed in the care of their uncle in Valley County, who was appointed their guardian. (That guardian was their fathers brother.)
But little was known of the lives of the boys after leaving this county to live with their guardian, and it is probable that no inquiry would have been made concerning them had it not been for the condition of the boys, which attracted
attention of neighbors as the time of their mothers funeral, which has held on December 4 (1906) from the home of her brother, Thomas Nethery, in Valley County (in Mira Valley, 8 miles south of Ord, NE). Mrs. Halpin passed away in the asylum at Lincoln (Hastings) and the body was brought there (to Valley County) for burial. (Actually, while the funeral was in Valley County the burial was in
the family plot in Pleasanton, Buffalo County, NE. There is something wrong about the December 4 funeral date, because she died - according to her tombstone - September 6, so surely the funeral had to within two or four days after that.
There was no cremation in those days, and in those days a body would not have been kept three months unless it was frozen, but a September body would not be frozen.)
Her sons attracted the attention of those present at the funeral by their neglected appearance and the exceedingly poor condition of their clothing. One of those in attendance wrote to Judge Marston telling of the condition of the boys and the fact that they were obliged to work hard, although they need to go to school, one of them even being unable to write his own name.
Judge Marston immediately wrote to County Judge Gudmundsen at Ord, enclosing the letter he had received, and an investigation was started, testimony being taken in the county court in regard to the condition of the boys. Those examined were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Nethery (brother of Mrs. Halpin) and James A. Ollis, whose testimony was taken down in writing and sent to Judge Marston. (James A.
Ollis would have been either James Armstrong Ollis or his son James Ammiel Ollis, both of whom lived near the Netherys at the time; plus James Ammiel Ollis and Thomas Nethery were brothers-in-law, having married sisters. The witness in court was most likely James Ammiel Ammie Ollis.)
In the letter from Judge Gudmundsen accompanying the testimony he states that he is personally acquainted with the witnesses, who are of unquestioned integrity.
Mr. Nethery testified that he knew the boys and had seen them at the funeral of their mother. They were delicate looking boys and he had never seen children more poorly clad. Both looked neglected, ill fed and as if they lacked the proper care. In telling of the work they did he stated that they husked corn all day, and in addition had to milk twelve cows and do other chores usually
done on a farm. They had very little education.
In her testimony Mrs. Nethery (this would be Hattie, the second wife of Thomas Nethery) stated that the children were fearfully neglected. Their clothes appeared as if they were seldom if ever washed, and made of the poorest
material, and insufficient to keep the wearers warm this time of the year. She knew they did not get the attention children should have and that they were kept
t work instead of going to school.
James Ollis corroborated the testimony given, showing that the boys were poorly and thinly clad, and showed plain evidences of neglect. One of them wore a pair
of womans shoes, much too large for him and badly worn. He had never seen children so poorly dressed and neglected.
In addition to the land left the boys by their father there was some personal property, and sufficient has been allowed by order of the Buffalo County court, which appointed the guardian, for the support of the boys.
Judge Marston has now requested the guardian to bring the boys to his county, where they could go to school, or if unable to do so, to send them down.
(J. Keith Cook note - the uncle who treated the Halpin boys with cruelty appears to be the Mr Halpin who is buried in OConner Cemetery in Greeley, NE [Findagrave #58109795], and whose tombstone reads simply, Father Halpin, born
1838, died 1916. Mother Halpin is buried beside him. The sons of Tillie and James Halpin are buried beside their parents James and Tillie in Pleasanton, NE.
Both grew to adulthood. One married. Tommie died in 1967 at age 73. Bob died in 1958 at age 63.)
Thanks to contributor #4886444;
The following article is from the Kearney Daily Hub, page 3 of the December 21, 1906 edition. (Parentheticals are insertions by J. Keith Cook in 2011, added for clarification.
HALPIN BOYS ARE SADLY NEGLECTED
Set to Work by Guardian Instead of Sent to School
THINLY CLAD AND POORLY FED
Miserable Conditions of Children Attracts Attention - Leads to Court Investigation - Testimony Taken
Thomas and Robert Halpin, two boys, the oldest being only fifteen years of age who are living with their guardian in Valley County, have been the victims of alleged neglect which comes but little short of being actual cruelty.
The boys are the heirs to a 320 acre farm in this (Buffalo) county, inherited from their farther, James Halpin, who died three years ago. Their mother was taken to the asylum for the insane at Lincoln (actually, it was in Hastings, NE, not Lincoln) and the boys were placed in the care of their uncle in Valley County, who was appointed their guardian. (That guardian was their fathers brother.)
But little was known of the lives of the boys after leaving this county to live with their guardian, and it is probable that no inquiry would have been made concerning them had it not been for the condition of the boys, which attracted
attention of neighbors as the time of their mothers funeral, which has held on December 4 (1906) from the home of her brother, Thomas Nethery, in Valley County (in Mira Valley, 8 miles south of Ord, NE). Mrs. Halpin passed away in the asylum at Lincoln (Hastings) and the body was brought there (to Valley County) for burial. (Actually, while the funeral was in Valley County the burial was in
the family plot in Pleasanton, Buffalo County, NE. There is something wrong about the December 4 funeral date, because she died - according to her tombstone - September 6, so surely the funeral had to within two or four days after that.
There was no cremation in those days, and in those days a body would not have been kept three months unless it was frozen, but a September body would not be frozen.)
Her sons attracted the attention of those present at the funeral by their neglected appearance and the exceedingly poor condition of their clothing. One of those in attendance wrote to Judge Marston telling of the condition of the boys and the fact that they were obliged to work hard, although they need to go to school, one of them even being unable to write his own name.
Judge Marston immediately wrote to County Judge Gudmundsen at Ord, enclosing the letter he had received, and an investigation was started, testimony being taken in the county court in regard to the condition of the boys. Those examined were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Nethery (brother of Mrs. Halpin) and James A. Ollis, whose testimony was taken down in writing and sent to Judge Marston. (James A.
Ollis would have been either James Armstrong Ollis or his son James Ammiel Ollis, both of whom lived near the Netherys at the time; plus James Ammiel Ollis and Thomas Nethery were brothers-in-law, having married sisters. The witness in court was most likely James Ammiel Ammie Ollis.)
In the letter from Judge Gudmundsen accompanying the testimony he states that he is personally acquainted with the witnesses, who are of unquestioned integrity.
Mr. Nethery testified that he knew the boys and had seen them at the funeral of their mother. They were delicate looking boys and he had never seen children more poorly clad. Both looked neglected, ill fed and as if they lacked the proper care. In telling of the work they did he stated that they husked corn all day, and in addition had to milk twelve cows and do other chores usually
done on a farm. They had very little education.
In her testimony Mrs. Nethery (this would be Hattie, the second wife of Thomas Nethery) stated that the children were fearfully neglected. Their clothes appeared as if they were seldom if ever washed, and made of the poorest
material, and insufficient to keep the wearers warm this time of the year. She knew they did not get the attention children should have and that they were kept
t work instead of going to school.
James Ollis corroborated the testimony given, showing that the boys were poorly and thinly clad, and showed plain evidences of neglect. One of them wore a pair
of womans shoes, much too large for him and badly worn. He had never seen children so poorly dressed and neglected.
In addition to the land left the boys by their father there was some personal property, and sufficient has been allowed by order of the Buffalo County court, which appointed the guardian, for the support of the boys.
Judge Marston has now requested the guardian to bring the boys to his county, where they could go to school, or if unable to do so, to send them down.
(J. Keith Cook note - the uncle who treated the Halpin boys with cruelty appears to be the Mr Halpin who is buried in OConner Cemetery in Greeley, NE [Findagrave #58109795], and whose tombstone reads simply, Father Halpin, born
1838, died 1916. Mother Halpin is buried beside him. The sons of Tillie and James Halpin are buried beside their parents James and Tillie in Pleasanton, NE.
Both grew to adulthood. One married. Tommie died in 1967 at age 73. Bob died in 1958 at age 63.)
The following article is from the Kearney Daily Hub, page 3 of the December 21, 1906 edition. (Parentheticals are insertions by J. Keith Cook in 2011, added for clarification.
HALPIN BOYS ARE SADLY NEGLECTED
Set to Work by Guardian Instead of Sent to School
THINLY CLAD AND POORLY FED
Miserable Conditions of Children Attracts Attention - Leads to Court Investigation - Testimony Taken
Thomas and Robert Halpin, two boys, the oldest being only fifteen years of age who are living with their guardian in Valley County, have been the victims of alleged neglect which comes but little short of being actual cruelty.
The boys are the heirs to a 320 acre farm in this (Buffalo) county, inherited from their farther, James Halpin, who died three years ago. Their mother was taken to the asylum for the insane at Lincoln (actually, it was in Hastings, NE, not Lincoln) and the boys were placed in the care of their uncle in Valley County, who was appointed their guardian. (That guardian was their fathers brother.)
But little was known of the lives of the boys after leaving this county to live with their guardian, and it is probable that no inquiry would have been made concerning them had it not been for the condition of the boys, which attracted
attention of neighbors as the time of their mothers funeral, which has held on December 4 (1906) from the home of her brother, Thomas Nethery, in Valley County (in Mira Valley, 8 miles south of Ord, NE). Mrs. Halpin passed away in the asylum at Lincoln (Hastings) and the body was brought there (to Valley County) for burial. (Actually, while the funeral was in Valley County the burial was in
the family plot in Pleasanton, Buffalo County, NE. There is something wrong about the December 4 funeral date, because she died - according to her tombstone - September 6, so surely the funeral had to within two or four days after that.
There was no cremation in those days, and in those days a body would not have been kept three months unless it was frozen, but a September body would not be frozen.)
Her sons attracted the attention of those present at the funeral by their neglected appearance and the exceedingly poor condition of their clothing. One of those in attendance wrote to Judge Marston telling of the condition of the boys and the fact that they were obliged to work hard, although they need to go to school, one of them even being unable to write his own name.
Judge Marston immediately wrote to County Judge Gudmundsen at Ord, enclosing the letter he had received, and an investigation was started, testimony being taken in the county court in regard to the condition of the boys. Those examined were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Nethery (brother of Mrs. Halpin) and James A. Ollis, whose testimony was taken down in writing and sent to Judge Marston. (James A.
Ollis would have been either James Armstrong Ollis or his son James Ammiel Ollis, both of whom lived near the Netherys at the time; plus James Ammiel Ollis and Thomas Nethery were brothers-in-law, having married sisters. The witness in court was most likely James Ammiel Ammie Ollis.)
In the letter from Judge Gudmundsen accompanying the testimony he states that he is personally acquainted with the witnesses, who are of unquestioned integrity.
Mr. Nethery testified that he knew the boys and had seen them at the funeral of their mother. They were delicate looking boys and he had never seen children more poorly clad. Both looked neglected, ill fed and as if they lacked the proper care. In telling of the work they did he stated that they husked corn all day, and in addition had to milk twelve cows and do other chores usually
done on a farm. They had very little education.
In her testimony Mrs. Nethery (this would be Hattie, the second wife of Thomas Nethery) stated that the children were fearfully neglected. Their clothes appeared as if they were seldom if ever washed, and made of the poorest
material, and insufficient to keep the wearers warm this time of the year. She knew they did not get the attention children should have and that they were kept
t work instead of going to school.
James Ollis corroborated the testimony given, showing that the boys were poorly and thinly clad, and showed plain evidences of neglect. One of them wore a pair
of womans shoes, much too large for him and badly worn. He had never seen children so poorly dressed and neglected.
In addition to the land left the boys by their father there was some personal property, and sufficient has been allowed by order of the Buffalo County court, which appointed the guardian, for the support of the boys.
Judge Marston has now requested the guardian to bring the boys to his county, where they could go to school, or if unable to do so, to send them down.
(J. Keith Cook note - the uncle who treated the Halpin boys with cruelty appears to be the Mr Halpin who is buried in OConner Cemetery in Greeley, NE [Findagrave #58109795], and whose tombstone reads simply, Father Halpin, born
1838, died 1916. Mother Halpin is buried beside him. The sons of Tillie and James Halpin are buried beside their parents James and Tillie in Pleasanton, NE.
Both grew to adulthood. One married. Tommie died in 1967 at age 73. Bob died in 1958 at age 63.)
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