Sometimes...

Family research means finding sad things-

"From Kalamazoo Gazette; 5 Feb 1910, pg 5:

Find family in poverty: Children Live on Cake Baked from Grain Used to feed Cows & Sleep on Bed of Rags –

A case of unusual destitution was brought to the attention of the sheriff’s office & County Agent Merrell yesterday. Deputy Sheriff John Thayer went out to investigate & found Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Harrington & 3 children living in the most absolute & squalid poverty at Scotts in Climax township.

Mrs. Harrington said that for the last few days they had eaten nothing but a cake baked from grain used to feed cows. A heap of filthy rags in the corner did duty as a bed for the whole family.

The children will be turned over to County Agent Merrell & it is probably that the parents will be sent to the county home. The father is not mentally responsible & the mother lacks but little of being in the same condition."

This was my 2nd great grandaunt on my maternal line. She had 4 more kids with her 1st husband, remarried and had another daughter.