The greatest children's migration in the history of the United States took place during the seventy-five years from 1854-1929.  Orphaned and impoverished children were transported from the overcrowded eastern cities to the vast midwestern farmlands. 

A young minister named Charles Loring Brace and the Children's Aid Society of New York City pioneered the "placing-out movement" which sought to relocate deserving, healthy orphans into nurturing farm homes.  There they would be welcomed and given a good upbringing in a proper moral setting.  The Society specified that the children were to be housed, fed, clothed, educated and given religious training. 

Clarinda and dozens of other Iowa towns were stops on the "Orphan Trains."  Nearly 10,000 children found new homes in Iowa before the Depression and changing laws ended the migration.

Some is known about the Society "placing outs" in this area.  Willie "The Kid" Moran arrived in Clarinda in March of 1881.  The 12-year-old was placed with G. A. Miller where he worked on the farm for several years.  Willie left the farm to travel in the far west, returning in 1897.  Tragically, Willie spent the next seven years here in the State Hospital.  His later life is unknown.

Sarah Hunt (1894-1990), an Orphan Train rider, came to Sidney, Iowa in 1904.  She became the wife of Hal Maxwell and step-mother to Hollywood actress, Marilyn Maxwell.  She was a Western Union telegrapher in Clarinda for nineteen years.

An orphan train from the Children's Aid Society came to Clarinda December 15, 1922 with a precious cargo of twelve sleepy children led by Miss Clara Comstock, the Society's Agent for the State of Iowa.  The Clarinda Herald reported that at the appointed time, the children were taken to the Methodist Church to be introduced to an eager crowd.  One little boy, who was asked why he came,  said, "To find a mamma."  Arthur Fields was "bundled up tightly" to go to a home north of Clarinda.  He found a new brother, Cecil at the Worley Smith home on North Twelfth Street and was later adopted.  Arthur was instrumental in the creation and placement of the Page County Orphan Train sign. 

The Colowski brothers were fortunate to find homes.  Alexander (1916-1988) was adopted into the Harry Douthit family and was called Alexander Douthit.  Walter (1918-1950) was adopted by the Roy Beavers family.  He was called Harold R. Beavers, became an army captain and was killed in Korea.

The placements of some of the other children were temporary and little is known about them.  Howard Blizzard (6) and Ethel Blizzard (12) went to the Armstrong home near Blanchard.  Bryon Stevens went to the Schoonover's near Clearfield.  Mary and Anna Brodie transferred to the Hoyt home at Clarinda.  James Leroy Smith lived in the Scroggs home in Clarinda.  Carrie Adams moved to Roy Baker's home west of Clarinda.  Isabel and Harry Adams were sent to the Swanson home east of Stanton. 

In 1987 Mary Ellen Johnson established The Orphan Train Heritage Society of America, Inc.  Their goal was to gather and preserve the stories of Orphan Train riders nationwide.  The Society is located at 614 E. Emma Ave. Suite 115 Springdale, AR 72764-4634. Telephone (479) 756-2780.

"This sign was presented as a memorial to the memory of these Orphan Train riders."