Swamp Island: a study of conditions in an isolated section of North Carolina.

1922

              51
North Carolina State Librar
Raleigh Doc
SWAMP I S L A N D
A Study of Conditions in an Isolated Section
of North Carolina
NORTH CAROLINA
ISSUED BY
T H E S T A T E B O A R D OF C H A R I T I E S A N D PUBLIC W E L F A RE
MRS. CLARENCE A. JOHNSO*. ComnfiMloner
RALEIGH. N. C.

Rating
Title	Swamp Island: a study of conditions in an isolated section of North Carolina.
Other Title	Study of conditions in an isolated section of North Carolina
Creator	North Carolina State Board of Charities and Public Welfare.
Date	1922
Subjects	People with mental disabilities and crime--North Carolina Delinquents--North Carolina
Place	North Carolina, United States
Time Period	(1900-1929) North Carolina's industrial revolution and World War One
Description	Describes poverty and "moral degeneration" in an isolated area of North Carolina.
Publisher	Printed by Capital Print. Co., State printers; North Carolina State Board of Charities and Public Welfare.
Agency-Current	North Carolina Division of Social Services, Department of Health and Human Services
Rights	State Document see http://digital.ncdcr.gov/u?/p249901coll22,63754
Physical Characteristics	15 p.; ill.; 23 cm.
Collection	North Carolina State Documents Collection. State Library of North Carolina
Type	Text
Language	English
Format	Reports
Digital Characteristics-A	33 MB; 16 p.
Digital Collection	North Carolina Digital State Documents Collection N.C. Public Health Collection
Digital Format	application/pdf
Related Items	http://worldcat.org/oclc/16894888/viewonline
Audience	All
Pres File Name-M	pubs_swampisland_1922_0001.tif-pubs_swampisland_1922_0018.tif
Pres Local File Path-M	\Preservation_content\StatePubs\pubs_swampisland_1922\images_master\
Full Text	51 North Carolina State Librar Raleigh Doc SWAMP I S L A N D A Study of Conditions in an Isolated Section of North Carolina NORTH CAROLINA ISSUED BY T H E S T A T E B O A R D OF C H A R I T I E S A N D PUBLIC W E L F A RE MRS. CLARENCE A. JOHNSO*. ComnfiMloner RALEIGH. N. C. SWAMP ISLAND A Study of Conditions in an Isolated Section of North Carolina ISSUED BY T H E S T A T E B O A R D OF C H A R I T I E S A N D PUBLIC W E L F A RE MRS. CLARENCE A. JOHNSON, Commissioner RALEIGH. N. C. PRINTED BY CAPITAL PRINTING COMPANY STATE PRINTERS RALEIGH, N. C. ' -\ This bulletin is not fiction. The families studied and helped in these pages are living now in this State. A Superintendent of Public Welfare, a man trained in social work, knows these conditions and made this report. For obvious reasons all names of persons and places are changed. The facts are not pleasant, the story is not "" pretty,"" but it is printed to show what isolation, ignorance, ill- health and idleness can do in a community probably not fifty miles from where you read this report. The second object in publishing the study is that of proving that real things can be accomplished even in so apparently "" hopeless"" cases when science, common sense, and sympathy combine in an effort to solve humanity's problems. SWAMP ISLAND SWAMP ISLAND— A STUDY Our superintendents of public welfare have revealed many fearful and tragic conditions in our State. One of the worst is here set forth. In an isolated section twelve or fourteen miles from the county-seat is a lowland district, triangular in shape, shut off by the river on the south and swamps on the two remaining sides, as shown in the accompanying map. The "" island"" is low and almost completely covered in high water, which occurs every few years, and is marshy always. Roads through here are almost impassa��ble, and it is notorious as a blockade district. Most of the inhabitants have been involved in making or selling liquor. Nearly all children have to walk from two to four miles to a one- teacher school and to Sunday school. The only church buildings are by the schools, but seldom used. R O S S - B A N E CASE In the midst of this district lived Lewis Ross, an old man near seventy, a widower with several children. When his wife died some twenty- five or more years ago he married Molly Bane, who had an illegitimate daughter, Jane. Mrs. Molly Ross is now about seventy- two and Jane Bane, her only child, is forty- five or forty- eight. The identity of Lewis's father is uncertain. It is thought by some old citizens that he is illegitimate. Polly's mother was loose morally. The illegitimate child, Jane, now has six children. She claims to have been married about six years ago to one Joe Smith, but he stayed with her only six months or so, when he had to leave this part of the country for robbery and other offenses, and since then has not been seen in this State. Possibly Joe Smith is the father of one of Jane's children, but certainly five of them are illegitimate. The parentage of the others is uncertain. Jane first told the Welfare Officer that each child had a different father, and gave the name of each. Later she came to town and told the Welfare Officer that her stepfather, Lewis Ross, was the father of every one of them. The neighbors are of the opinion that the latter is true. This is uncertain. The names and ages of her chidren are as follows: Annie, 19; Luby, 17; Mary Eliza, 15; William Walter, 6; John Needham, 4; and George Smith, 10 months. Annie, the oldest of the six, has two children, a pretty little girl of six years and a baby boy, eight months. She and other MOLLY BANE— JANE AND FOUR OF HEE SIX CIIILDBEN— ANNIE. JANE'S DAUGHTER, AND BABY. baby was born he had married another girl. Now he has a very young baby by his legal wife. Lewis Ross is the only man in the house, and he and his stepdaughter were badly crippled as the members of her family claim that one Joe Parks is the father of both of these children, and that he had "" gone with her"" steadily and exclusively for about two years and promised to marry her. He had been unfaithful, however, and shortly before the second ANNIE BANE AND HER FAMILY THE ROSS- BANE FAMILY All the children are of unmarried mothers. They have been placed in homes and institutions by the Superintendent of Public Welfare. result of a recent accident. Most of the plowing and heavy work is done by the seventy- two- year- old woman, Molly. Formerly their existence was largely maintained by "" boot- legging"" and farming. More recently begging, farming, and wood chopping was their occupation. Of late it has been a poor existence that this family of three, and probably four, generations of illegitimates eke out. What to do in this case was a problem. It is reported that several years ago Lewis Ross was indicted for cohabitation with his stepdaughter, but nothing could be proved legally. The County Superintendent of Public Welfare determined in his own mind what should be done, but was not sure of his judgment in his solution of the problem. He called conferences of several social workers, the sheriff, the judge of the county court, the Juvenile Court judge ( clerk of the Superior Court), one or two pastors, and some other prominent citizens who were interested in his work. Also, authorities at the State University, a member of the State Department of Public Welfare, and a dozen other county superintendents of public welfare were consulted before final action was taken. This problem was complicated by the existence of several other similar ones in the same vicinity. T H E B R O W N CASE Within a half- mile from the Ross home lives Lesly Brown and his wife, Matilda. It is Matilda who has been cared for by the Superintendent of Public Welfare. She came to his office a year and a half ago, ragged, dirty, and crying, with a boy of five and a baby of three months, both nearly naked. She had been living with a man named Hines, but acknowledged their marriage ceremony was not legal, for she had no divorce from her first husband, Barney Jones. Jones, it was discovered, was then in an adjoining state, raising another family. It was further disclosed that Matilda's baby was not the child of either Hines or Jones, but of Lesly Brown, who lived in the island district near where she had lived with Hines. Hines had beaten her and her little boy, and she came to the Superintendent of Public Welfare for protection. Inquiry was made as to Hines' location, but before he could be found it was discovered that he had departed to avoid arrest for selling whiskey and for larceny. Matilda and her children were lodged temporarily with her brother- in- law, but his financial condition, quarrels, and other complications made it impossible for her to stay there after a short time. She was destitute. Brown, the father of her baby, wanted her to marry him. He would pay the bills for a divorce suit, but he would not take her with the five- year- old boy, for he had a boy by his former wife. The Superintendent of Public Welfare, therefore, found a temporary home for little Thomas and later sent him to the Children's Home Society of North Carolina. He was soon adopted into a good, permanent home. Brown became sick, and she asked to stay in a little house on his place to nurse him. Divorce proceedings against Jones were instituted, and the result seemed certain. She was given per- - mission to go to nurse Brown. When the divorce was granted Brown bought a marriage license and, after two threatening letters from the Superintendent of Public Welfare, they were married. Another baby was soon born. Brown is now working on the county road for making whiskey. The Superintendent of Public Welfare is now procuring contributions from friends to help keep Matilda and her two babies from starvation until Brown's six months sentence has expired. AVIL. KS CASES Three- quarters of a mile from the Ross home lives a seventeen-year- old girl, Fannie Wilks, who was caught twice in one Sunday afternoon on the river bank with Carl Sims, a married man of twenty- seven. Witnesses were sufficient to convict them of immoral relations. Carl was given a twelve months sentence on the road, and Fannie put on probation to a good woman across the river, who reports regularly to the Superintendent of Public Welfare in the capacity of chief probation officer. When Carl was placed in jail he was found to have gonorrhea. The Superintendent of Public Welfare and the health officer called at the Wilks home to see if Fannie was infected, and found Esther, age thirteen, to be severely ill, and unable to walk because of a sore knee. She confessed to her mother that she was infected by Carl Sims early one morning when he slept overnight in their house. She feared to tell anyone, because he had threatened her life. She now had gonorrhea and gonorrheal rheumatism in her right knee. Carl was indicted for carnal knowledge of a girl under fourteen, but because of the immoral reputation of the family, blockade stilling by the father, drinking and carousing by all members of the family, and the choice of jury by the shrewd attorney for the defense, he was acquitted. His wife is diseased and pregnant. Fannie is in like condition, and Esther is diseased as a result of Carl's conduct. Bunk Wilks' ( Fannie's father) still has been captured, and the family is poverty stricken, but under the supervision of the Superintendent of Public Welfare and local officers, he and his family are farming, working about the neighborhood, and striving to earn an honest living. BUNK WILKS— MOONSHINER Father of Fannie and Esther FANNIE WILKS Delinquent girl, infected with gonorrhea— and her little sister. Will the little sister follow in the big sister's tracks? P O L Y G A M Y Adjoining the place upon which the Rosses live is a very intelligent and prosperous farmer, Newton Ferrell, a man about forty-live, with a tractor, automobile, power saw, fodder cutter, other modern farm machinery, and a large house. Twenty- five or fifty yards behind his home in a litte one- room log house lives Sadie Wilks, Bunk Wilks' sister, with her six children, all of whom call Mr. Ferrell "" Dad."" Several neighbors and other citzens of the county agree that Newton Ferrell started this family by Sadie Wilks and later married the woman with whom he now lives and who has borne him four children. Several people express a doubt that he ever married the one he calls his wife. Some citizens report that he keeps another woman not far from his house to carry on his whiskey business. It is reported that Mr. Ferrell was at one time indicted under the bastardy act for cohabitation with Sadie Wilks, but no proof was available and his case was dismissed, and still he and these three women and two families of children live on. This case is not yet cleared up, although a solution is being worked out. M O R A L I N F E C T I O N SPREADS As evidenced by some cases in the districts surrounding this neighborhood, the immorality of these people seems to have infected some members of very good families. This also complicates the Ross- Bane case and has a bearing on its solution. A member of a very much respected and worthy family was prosperously raising a family of five children just across the bridge from the "" island."" Up the road half a mile a loose, unmarried girl of twenty- seven enticed the husband and father. His wife and boys pleaded, his brothers reasoned. Still he called at the woman's house. Whiskey blockading was suspected of him. The Superintendent of Public Welfare called and talked with both parties, yet their visits did not stop. A threatened prosecution for all charges caused him to leave the county. Word was passed that if he would move his family to a new district and never see the unmarried woman, he would be unmolested. This he did, and is happy with his family. The interfering woman was kept so closely under watch that she left and was last seen in New Orleans. M O R E T R A G E DY On the same side of the river, but just across the swamp from the island, on high ground, lives Lida Jones, the niece of the most intelligent citizen and leader in his township, who has been to the State Legislature twice and has made his community one of the most desirable in the county or the State. She became loose morally and gave birth to a child by a boy from one of the oldest and most substantial families in the county. The boy is now married to another girl. Recently the Superintendent of Public Welfare sent the seven- months- old baby, in an almost starved condition, to the Children's Home Society of North Carolina. It was the most undernourished child the home has received since the present officials have been in charge. They say without a doubt it would have died in a very short time. During the first month at the home it gained over four pounds, jumping from seven pounds to over eleven pounds. It continues to improve. B L O C K A D I N G C H E C K ED God- fearing and law- abiding citizens in the vicinity of this island have determined to put a stop to the manufacture and sale of whiskey in this neighborhood. Two of them were induced to be deputized by the sheriff, and in four months have captured seven stills and convicted nearly as many men for blockading. These good citizens and deputies helped in the solution of the Ross case through their knowledge of the people and district, and by serving the necessary papers. SOLUTION OP T H E R O S S - B A X E CASE With all this information in mind, very few who were consulted offered a suggestion as to what to do with the Ross- Bane family. Some said indict the old man, and the fathers and mothers of the children. But on consideration it was found that this would not adequately care for either the children or the mothers. Others, in despair of ridding the county of the disgraceful situation, said it looked as if the only thing to do was to weight them down well and throw them all in the river. All seemed to agree that the Superintendent of Public Welfare offered a practical solution for the whole situation; so this was determined upon. How to carry it out was not so easy. When the Welfare Officer had tried to take a kodak picture of Jane's children, she snatched them away, and her eyes flashed fire as she took them in the house and— "" You ain't gonna take no picture o' none o' my young uns."" Pictures of all were finally taken later, however, with the aid of the good local deputies. Finally it was decided to use the father of Annie's two children as a key to clear up the whole thing. There was no doubt as to their paternity. He helped support the children until he was married, and continued to go to visit them until his wife stoutly objected, came and caught him at the Ross- Bane house, picked up his shotgun, beat him over the head with it, and drove him home. Annie signed an affidavit swearing the children to be Leslie Park's and a warrant was issued for him by the magistrate. All the Rosses and Banes were subpoenaed to the trial in the courthouse. Parks submitted, gave bond to pay Annie $ 100 for the two children, and gave a bond of $ 200 for their support. When this arrangement was ended, a warrant was served on Annie for fornication and adultery, and she was convicted in a special session of the County Court, given a six months jail sentence, which was suspended, and she was sent to the Salvation Army Home in Greenville, S. C, with her younger baby, admission for her having been previously arranged. All parents were then summoned to appear with their children before the Juvenile Court, where Jane's three children under six years and Annie's two- year- old girl were committed to the Children's Home Society of North Carolina, and Mary Eliza, age 15, was committed to the State Training School for Girls. Thus the seven younger members of the f amily were committed to the care of those who could train and educate them and give them a chance to become good citizens. Mr. Ross, his wife, Molly, Jane and her eighteen- year- old boy, Walt, are left at home. The Welfare Officer, neighbors and benevolent agencies are attempting to help the boy to a knowledge of a normal moral life. Mere commitment did not end the matter for those working with this family. When the Welfare Officer and deputy sheriff brought in the little children, some good women of the W. C. T. U., the Secretary to the Superintendent, and neighbors, were waiting at their homes with contributions of clothing, soap and scrub-brushes. The three little boys, Jane's children, were not content to leave home, and cried pitifully. They were the dirtiest, most ragged and uncouth little fellows imaginable. Dirt was caked on them. Never before had they experienced a real bath. The little waifs screamed like they thought they would drown. But never was there a greater change in appearance and disposition in children. They were happy and proud of their new clothes and clean bodies. These good ladies kept them overnight and took them next morning, with their sister's little two- year- old girl, to Greensboro. Annie, with her baby and her sister Mary, stayed with a motherly woman who kept a boarding- house. Their first bath came on the day following. The Charity Organization Society Secretary and her sister took them, one at a time, for their novel experience of baths. These good women then fitted them out completely with fresh, clean clothing. This remarkable change made the girls happy. But so trying was the experience for the C. O. S. Secretary that she was unable to leave with Annie on the night train as she had planned. Good women were found, however, who escorted Annie and her baby to Greenville and Mary to Sam-arcand later in the week. One woman having taken the small children to Greensboro, later went with Annie and her baby to Greenville, S. C. Never could this piece of welfare work have been accomplished satisfactorily without the aid of these good public- spirited women and the other county officials cooperating. T H E "" I S L A N D "" DISTRICT Obviously, the above actions are not sufficient to keep the community straight. Lack of school and church facilities, bad roads, and the whiskey traffic are largely responsible for the conditions above described. These are being relieved as rapidly as possible. The road through the "" island"" has been worked and projects for consolidated schools with transportation of the children, are in progress. An attempt is also being made to stimulate the churches and Sunday schools to have service more often than "" once a month when a preacher can be had,"" and to vitalize their religion. "" Ideals are not taught; they are caught.""
OCLC number	16894888

Title	Page 1
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Full Text	51 North Carolina State Librar Raleigh Doc SWAMP I S L A N D A Study of Conditions in an Isolated Section of North Carolina NORTH CAROLINA ISSUED BY T H E S T A T E B O A R D OF C H A R I T I E S A N D PUBLIC W E L F A RE MRS. CLARENCE A. JOHNSO*. ComnfiMloner RALEIGH. N. C.

Swamp Island: a study of conditions in an isolated section of North Carolina.

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Swamp Island: a study of conditions in an isolated section of North Carolina.

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