Welch, John

WELCH, PRINDLE

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 2/13/2008 at 00:14:43

Jackson Sentinel
February 7, 1907

The Welch family.
Found in distressed circumstances.
The children are taken for adoption.

The death of John Welch, a day laborer, in hovel near Godard’s mill in South Fork township, three miles from this city, brought to light a condition of extreme poverty that was unknown to the township authorities. The board shanty was entirely unfit for winter quarters and yet a thinly clad family were, with little food, two stoves and flood wood fuel, trying to maintain life thereof. Neighbors gave them assistance but had no idea they were in such dire want.

The wife with the six children all boys ranging from 3 to 17 years took up their abode with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mose Prindle after the death of her husband and then came the death of Mrs. Prindle last Thursday. Mrs. Welch was then taken sick and amidst all her troubles the youngest boy fell and broke his leg. Trustees Riley Struble and Clarence Butlesen took the case in hand on finding out the needs of the Welch family, sent them clothes and provisions and took the injured boy to the hospital for treatment.

Monday Mrs. Carhart of the Des Moines Home Finding Institution came to town and made arrangements with the trustees to find houses for the five younger children 3 to 11 years of age at a consideration of $30 each. She took four of them with her on the Monday evening train and will later come for the one now in the hospital. The older boy, 12 years of age, she decided not to take.

The children were without any education and more or less afflicted with hair lip, club foot or some other deformity.