Visiting Agents

The visiting agents of the New York Juvenile Asylum were meant to look out for the well being of the children and make sure they were well treated by the guardian families. The letters written by the agents emphasize the wealth and respectability of the guardian families. The agents were always sure to comment on the national heritage of the guardians as a gauge of their perceived suitability as guardians. English speaking guardians were preferred, and "native" Americans were also favored. When the agent visited the James Perry home in Wilmington, Will County she was very impressed with the large farm with over 40 thoroughbred horses and a 100 head of registered cattle. She also mentioned the fact that the family had an adopted daughter who would soon be attending medical school in Chicago.

Ida, however, was not appreciative of the advantages she was being given. Whether Ida remained in the Perry home isn't known, because she appears to have completely disappeared from the record. In 1900 the adopted daughter of the Perry's was working as a school teacher, not a physician, and Ida was nowhere to be found. The Perry's were able to bond with the first girl, most likely because she had lived with them since before the age of 8, but their wealth had not ensured a stable home for Ida.

Because these reports were read by the children who had been placed in other homes in Illinois, or even the children still residing at the Asylum, these stories of lovely homes with wealthy farmers must have seemed like fairy tales. Expectations would have been raised of luxurious homes and doting parents who would send you to college. The children still waiting for homes must have assured themselves that if they had such a home, they would be appreciative and make the guardians love them.