Would I be derailing awfully to post another of my newspaper clippings, about children's care pre-modern welfare state? This is from the Aberdeen Journal in 1907.
"BOY ASSAULTED AND NEGLECTED.
FATHER'S SHAMEFUL CONDUCT.
At Aberdeen yesterday—before Sheriff Robertson—James Hay, labourer, 3 Gordon Place, was charged with having wilfully assaulted, ill-treated, and neglected his son George, 10 years and 2 months, by repeatedly beating him and compressing his throat; and failing to provide proper food, body and bed clothing, and to neglecting to afford due attention to the boy's cleanliness between February 7 and May 27.
When asked to plead, accused said—Guilty, but I never compressed the boy's throat.
The Sheriff—You don't admit assaulting him?
Accused—Just when he was requiring it, you know.
The Sheriff—But opinions may differ as to when he required it, and how much he required. I think we had better hear the evidence.
Accused—Oh, well, I would rather plead guilty, sir.
The Sheriff—If you plead guilty, I will take it that all that is averred against you is true, so keep that in view.
Accused having tendered a plea of guilty, The Sheriff asked him if he had anything to say.
Accused—I have not been behaving well since the wife died.
The Sheriff—You have nothing to say against the boy?
Accused—Oh, no! I have nothing against him, except for going up to his auntie.
Mr Thomas Maclennan, procurator-fiscal depute—Had he not gone to his aunt, he would have starved and died, which would have been worse.
Accused—I admit he went there when I was the worse of drink.
The Fiscal said the accused was in the employment of the railway company as a porter and was formerly a well-conducted man, but about six years ago his wife died leaving him with three children, two of whom were sent to a home, where he paid nothing for them. The boy mentioned in the complaint had been living with has father. Accused lost his employment on the railway through drink about a year ago, and since that time had been in several good situations, but he could never keep his employment on account of his drinking habits. He had completely given way to drink. The boy had for a long time been allowed to shift for himself. He was ten years and two months old and was taken charge of by accused's sister-in-law for some time on condition that the accused was prepared to pay 2s 6d weekly for him. She kept the child until the middle of October, but as she was receiving nothing for his support, she refused do anything more. The boy had been repeatedly calling upon her and getting food, and during the last two months the accused had been so much given to drink that the boy had really received no attention from him all. The accused struck the boy because he had no food cooked for him and did not clean the house and do the washing, which was altogether out of the question. The house had never been cleaned, except by the boy. The boy's own clothing had not been washed until a neighbour took pity upon him. It would be better if the boy were sent to some institution.
In reply to the Fiscal,
Mr W. Macdonald, inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, said that the Industrial School was the only place for the child.
Accused—I would not like the boy in an industrial school.
The Fiscal—Why?
Accused—Because I am prepared to pay for him
The Fiscal–You will be compelled to pay for him, if you keep as much off the drink. Where are you working now?
Accused–I am not working at all just now.
THE SENTENCE.
The Sheriff said if he thought it was likely to be in any way beneficial to the boy to give the accused another chance, he would be inclined to do it, but he could not see that leniency on that account would be a proper or useful course to follow. Accused would go to prison for two months. He (the Sheriff) thought it was the most merciful thing that could be done, and it would give accused a chance, as it would of necessity break him off his drinking habits, and if he had any strength of mind at all, he would not have the same craving for drink when he came out of prison, and he hoped accused would refrain from it. Meantime the authorities would see what could be done for the boy."