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Kansan Seeking Mother’s Sisters
1893 Newspaper Ad Sought Homes
Betty Glide well of Kansas writes, “Our mother was one of the Orphan Train Children. She was bom to Ulyssess Grant Thomas and Helen Lena Hammel Thomas on April 2,1911, Malone, NY, as Malinda Blanche Thomas. There were two sisters, Ruth, born March 16, 1915, Malone, NY, and Olive, date of birth unknown.
“These children were given up to the Children’s Aid Society in New York, NY, on February 15,1918. Our mother and her two sisters were placed on a train to Texas March 5, 1918. We have been advised that our mother was taken off the train at Sulphur Springs, TX,
ORPHAN STORY
by a family named Miller. We believe that this did not work out and she was later taken by a couple from Weatherford, TX, John E. and Kate S. Braxton, who in turn moved to Tucson, AZ, where on February 2,1926, Malinda was legally adopted.
“Mother was treated good by the Braxtons who loved her as their own daughter. Grandfather Braxton was a stem Irishman but one that his grandchildren loved. Our mother was married on December 22,1930, to Ray C. Barnhart from Cherryvale, KS, at Nogales, AZ, until she passed away in September, 1968, with Ray passing away March, 1969. They had two children, Betty K. (Barnhart) Glidewell and Marguerite A. (Barnhart) Stuber, who had two children, Janice C. and Greggory R., the other sister having no children.
“Mother was an excellent cook and could sew by making her own patterns as well as hats. Grandmother Braxton could always be counted on to give you that extra cookie. Mother never said much about her early childhood other than being on a train which had a wreck and the lady with her was killed. She talked about standing on a box pl^ed on a chair to do dishes. We know now that being s>^ '~*»ted from her sisters was a shock that she always 'vrl.
“We endeavor to find her orner two sisters or someone that can tell us what happened to them. You can send this to my home, Rt. 1, Box 262, Clearwater, KS 67026.
“God Bless each of you.” —Betty K. Glidewell
2 Orphan Train Heritage Society
An advertisement in the Tecumseh,
Nebraska, Chieftain, July 8,1893, was headlined, “Homeless Children...The Children’s Home Society Has Provided 2,990 Children With Homes, In Families.”
All children received under the care of this Association are of SPECIAL PROMISE in intelligence and health, and are in age from one month to twelve years, and are sent FREE to those receiving them, on ninety days trial, UNLESS a special contract is otherwise made.
Homes are wanted for the following children:
8 BOYS: Ages, 10, 6, and 4 years; English parents, blondes. Very promising, 2 years old, blonde, fine looking, healthy, American; has had his foot straightened. Walks now O.K. Six years old, dark hair and eyes, good looking and intelligent, American. 10 BABES: Boys and girls from one month to three months. One boy baby, has fine head and face, black eyes and hair, fat and pretty; three months old. Send two stamps.
Rev. M. B. V. Van Arsdale, General Superintendent, Room 48, 280 LaSalle St., CHICAGO.
Placing-out through the Childrens’ Home Society of Chicago is being documented by OTHSA. If you have information about this organization, or institution, please send it to OTHSA, Rt. 4, Box 565, Springdale, AR 72764.
Key Orphan Groups Still In Operation
There were two key organizations involved in the orphan train era, “The New York Children’s Aid Society,” and “The New York Foundling Hospital.” Both organizations still exist today.
Please note that both are non-profit organizations with limited staff so make your inquiries specific with as much data as you have. Be sure to include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your inquiry and remember they depend on donations for the bulk of their support.
( New York Children’s Aid Society
\	150 East 45th Street
^	New York, NY 10017
A New Ycrk Foundling Hospital
\	1175	Third	Ave.
\	New York, NY 10021