It is startling how one need not reach very far back into history for evidence that shatters "settled" historical narrative and shocks our sense of basic decency. I have been reading about the so-called "Orphan Train" of the late 1800s -1920s: another wonderful social engineering program in which children of the beleaguered working poor were rounded up, enticed or "nabbed" in the "overcrowded Eastern cities and transported to the midwest and western states where they were farmed out as "orphans" (very few of whom actually were! The majority had two living parents) to work on farms or God only knows where else; in effect, as forced labor. My own father knew children who had been brought to Kansas in this way and of course, unprotected and penniless and far from home and family, they were abused. It is deeply painful ... and soul-wearying... to see how much of history is about human beings enslaving other human beings.
Theresa your reference to the Orphan Trains made me recall some cases from the classic "Unsolved Mysteries" hosted by Robert Stack, which I've been watching of late. These segments highlighted the appalling actions of the American government in basically abducting children and separating them from family and friends back in the early 20th century. Those cases that I can remember and that are available to view on YouTube were Algie and Johnny Braly; Francis Murphy; Sylvia Wemhoff (S01E15); and Jackie Harrington (S01E16). You might find them of interest too if you haven't seen, or know of, them already.
It is startling how one need not reach very far back into history for evidence that shatters "settled" historical narrative and shocks our sense of basic decency. I have been reading about the so-called "Orphan Train" of the late 1800s -1920s: another wonderful social engineering program in which children of the beleaguered working poor were rounded up, enticed or "nabbed" in the "overcrowded Eastern cities and transported to the midwest and western states where they were farmed out as "orphans" (very few of whom actually were! The majority had two living parents) to work on farms or God only knows where else; in effect, as forced labor. My own father knew children who had been brought to Kansas in this way and of course, unprotected and penniless and far from home and family, they were abused. It is deeply painful ... and soul-wearying... to see how much of history is about human beings enslaving other human beings.
Theresa your reference to the Orphan Trains made me recall some cases from the classic "Unsolved Mysteries" hosted by Robert Stack, which I've been watching of late. These segments highlighted the appalling actions of the American government in basically abducting children and separating them from family and friends back in the early 20th century. Those cases that I can remember and that are available to view on YouTube were Algie and Johnny Braly; Francis Murphy; Sylvia Wemhoff (S01E15); and Jackie Harrington (S01E16). You might find them of interest too if you haven't seen, or know of, them already.
Thank you! I will absolutely follow up on your references! Personal testimony is the crucial human dimension of "lost" history.
Dear Theresa
Thank you for your comment. One of the best books on the subject is "The Orphan Trains" by Marilyn Irvin Holt (Univ. of Nebraska, 1992).
There is also a PBS "American Experience" episode of the name. It premiered nationally on Nov. 27, 1995 ( I have not seen it).
Michael Hoffman
Thank you, Mr. Hoffman!
Dear Wyatt
Thank you for your comment. One of the best books on the subject is "The Orphan Trains" by Marilyn Irvin Holt (Univ. of Nebraska, 1992).
There is also a PBS "American Experience" episode of the name. It premiered nationally on Nov. 27, 1995 ( I have not seen it).
Michael Hoffman
I share the sentiments of Theresa in thanking you kind sir I'll definitely try and check it out!