Page 6 - My FlipBook

In Ž
œ, CAS announced that it would begin

sending orphaned, abandoned, and neglected

children in New York City to the Midwest on trains.

Once there, the children would move in with

farming families. Initially, this process was called

“placing out.” Today, it is known as the Orphan

Train Movement.

CAS workers gathered children from boarding

houses, orphanages, and street corners three

times per month. If a child’s parents were

available, CAS received their legal permission to

send the child away. Many parents hoped their

children would find better lives in the Midwest.

The children selected for the orphan trains

received new clothes and a Bible. CAS agents

accompanied them on their trip. Most children

enjoyed the excitement of the train ride, unaware

of what was really happening. Others were

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