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Mary Ellen Johnson and I attended the St. Paul, Nebraska Orphan Train Reunion May 1st, and met many Orphan Train riders from the northwest area of the United States.
Attending this kind of annual event is sort of like going to someone else’s family reunion—only more fun.
In my unofficial capacity as poll-taker, I discovered that many of these “orphans” were definitely over-achievers who went on to make good lives for themselves and their families. Perhaps the percentage of those who turned out well is so great because we don’t hear from those who ran away or got into trouble.
There were three Marys who traveled the Orphan Train together to Nebraska in 1912 and remain friends today. One of the Marys (Mary Tenopir) hosted the reunion in St. Paul while Mary Buscher and Mary Hamik pitched in that last week to help make the reunion the success that it was.
Mary Johnson, OTHSA Director, and I were made to feel so welcome that we forgot that we had driven for 11 hours to join them and would have an 11 hour drive back to Arkansas.
If you are a rider or descendant and have the opportunity to attend a reunion, don’t miss it.
It’s a pick-me-upper that can’t be purchased or prescribed.
Pictures still form in my mind of the countless children who rode the trains never quite understanding why. The nuns and agents who traveled with them tried to keep the children neat and attractive in order to make a presentable showing for prospective foster parents. They truly wanted each child to receive a good home.
To Market, To Market
Stand tall, and smile. Next stop’s Moline.
Now please stay clean.
Oh Carl! Again?
You went at ten.
Boys front; hats off; don’t run or shove.
Think “home” and *love *
They’ll choose you all.
Now Carl, don’t crawl.
Don’t trip, Joanne, scrunch up your toes,
And blow your nose.
Just look your best.
God does the rest.
I hope to meet you all at the Springdale, Arkansas gathering in October. This time it’s someone else’s turn to drive 11 hours.
Act Now To Protect Family Photos, Papers
Family photographs and documents are an important part of every family's history. Most families take pride in the old family photographs and papers they have, but unfortunately they don’t realize these priceless family treasures are in danger ofbeing lost, forgotten or destroyed.
Families often foil to have their original pictures copied and several prints made so that the image on the original picture will stand a greater chance of surviving for future generations. Copy (xerox) your documents on high quality paper with a low add content.
The copy prints should be distributed to other family members along with a note explaining the importance of the picture or document and the current location of the original
Old and new pictures should be identified for the benefit of future generations. Write the identification (names, date, location) lightly on the back of the print with a pencil, not a pen. Never write across the fhce of the picture! Do not use paper clips, scotch tape or rubber cement on your picture or documents.
Never laminate your family papers or pictures. Place them between loose Mylar sheets for protection. The greatest enemies of photographs and documents are heat, light and humidity. Don’t store your items in attics, basements, garages, cellars, etc.
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item mounted on add-free mounting board and have
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Please act NOW to preserve the visual record of your family heritage.
Nineteen Orphans Subject of Lawsuit
A listing of the names of the children around whom a 1904 controversy in Arizona centered has been received by OTHSA.
Copies of the public records of the lawsuit have been added to the research files.
The Sisters of Charity brought forty children to Clinton and Morenci, AZ, October 1,1904. Nineteen remained, twenty-one went back to the New York Foundling Hospital after less than a week of hostility and public outrage.
Foundlings On The Frontier by A. Blake Brophy presents the episode dealing with rarial and religious conflicts in the Arizona Territory in 1904 and 1905. Check with your local library for this book.
Orphan Train Heritage Society 3


Orphan Train Riders of BSL Document (095)
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