JESSUP - Ella Piffer - gives baby away
Source: Greencastle Herald 2 Sept 1907 p1
Tearful at the very thought of parting with her wee baby, yet determined to take this course rather than to starve, Mrs. Ella Jessup, formerly of Greencastle, applied at the Juvenile Court yesterday for a certificate by which she might forever relinquish her claim to the baby. “Your husband is dead?” asked Judge Stubbs. “Yes,” said the young woman, sobbing quietly. “He died at Greencastle June 1 and I came here to work June 3.” “Your father?”
“He died when I was four years old,” said the woman. “Your mother?” Died when I was 11. Other relatives? Have you no relatives who could care for you and the baby until you should be strong enough to make your own way and care for the child?
“I have one brother, Martin Piffer who is 16 years old. He leaves at Greencastle and when he was able to work he only made $1 a day. And I had word from there yesterday that I should come as soon as I could because he was dying of consumption.”
And the crowning misfortune – the final blow – was to be torn from the baby she loved. Mrs. Jessup, who said her husband’s name was Will Jessup said she had nothing in the world but a little more than enough money to go to Greencastle. She told how she had worked at a downtown hotel at hard labor with a short time ago, when she went to the City Hospital. There the baby was born Aug 1. She said that Superintendent Freeland of the hospital had told her that she could have employment there as soon as she was well enough to work again and she will take advantage of this offer. This developed in the judge’s inquiry as to whether she was a resident of Marion County and as to whether the baby could be admitted to the orphanage. “I will go to Greencastle only for a week or two,” said Mrs. Jessup – as soon as I am strong enough to work again I will come back to Indianapolis and take the place at the hospital.”
She left for Greencastle yesterday afternoon, following a touching scene at the Indianapolis Orphans’ Home when she finally surrendered her baby!