You wrote us as an agent of the Vermont Children's Aid Society June 12th and June 19, 1923, regarding [Dora Clifford Carson]. I am sending a copy of the letters which I sent to you at that time. The second one was in response to the question as to whether or not [Abelstone] was colored and for further data of the marriage of [Dora Clifford] to [Robert Walton]

Responding to your present question as to the per capita cost during the time this woman was in the Reformatory, I would say that, in reviewing our annual report, I find, it was then estimated at $272 per year. In view of the fully equipped hospital and nursery maintained here under the direction of doctors and nurses, the cost of the child was at least the equivalent of that of the mother.

It might be possible for you to find out something about this woman by addressing a letter to Honorable Sanford Bates, Commissioner, Department of Correction, State House, Boston. Inmates of the Reformatory are under the care of parole agents of that department, and although it would seem that this woman left Massachusetts, I assume she must have been under nominal supervision until her sentence expired December, 1918.

It is not possible for me to give you now any description of her baby, [Richard]. It is possible, however, that he was described on the records of the State Infirmary, Tewksbury, where he was born.

Replying to your letter of June 12th I would say that [Dora Walton], nee [Clifford], was committed to this institution December 8, 1913 on charge of adultery with [Richard Abelstone] or, I find, according to the records of the State Board of Charity, known as [Richard Abel Stone]. She was pregnant on admission and child, [Richard Walton] was born at the State Infirmary, Tewksbury, Mass, late in March, 1914. (Unfortunately I have not the exact date.) That baby was in this institution with his mother until her release on parole November 24, 1914 when both went to her parents, Mr. and [Mrs. James B. Clifford], Readsboro, Vt. She named the codefendant, [Richard Abelstone] as the father of this child. There is no reference in our records to Lewis S____.

Our records show [Dora] the eldest of eleven children, three of whom were reported committed to the custody of Vermont State Board of Charity. The father was alcoholic; did not support adequately. Home was unwholesome.

September 28, 1907 (verified), while working at service, she married [Robert Walton], a next‐door neighbor. The officiating minister reports that he insisted upon parents' consent (even though girl gave her age as seventeen) and it was granted. Immediately after marriage went with husband to Herkimer, N. Y., where two children, [Mabel and Gertrude], were born in 1910 and 1911 respectively. Husband did not support and in 1912 deserted. She claims that he left her pregnant. She went to her grandfather and in February, 1913 child, [Molly] was born. She soon returned to own parents in Readsboro and there met codefendant [Abelstone], a logger.

September, 1913, with her three children she accompanied [Abelstone] to North Adams, Mass. They both drank and, December 7, 1913 raid was made upon their home and both were arrested. Her three children were then committed to Mass. State Board of Charity as neglected. It was reported the codefendant, [Abelstone] claimed the third child, [Molly] also as his, although [Dora] stated she was by [Robert Walton].

My records do not give additional information regarding the codefendant, [Abelstone], and I do not know whether he and Lewis S____ are one and the same.

Thank you for writing me the later findings in this case. One of the important needs in our work is knowledge of the final results in the cases committed here.

My records do not show whether or not [Richard Abelstone], who was arrested with [Dora Walton] for Adultery in 1913 was a colored man. I believe he was sent to the Pittsfield, Mass. House of Correction at the time [Dora] was committed to this institution and this point you could clear up with the Sheriff of that institution.

I have verification of the woman's marriage to [Robert A. Walton] through the minister who married them, Rev.. W. E. Webster "at the Baptist Parsonage in Hoosick Falls September 28, 1907". The Rev. Mr. Webster wrote us from West Winfield, N. Y. under date of April 20, 1914, stating in addition: "She gave her age as seventeen. [Howard E. Clifford] of Bennington, Vt. was present as witness. I telephoned to [Mrs. Clifford], the girl's mother and she gave consent to the marriage, as the girl was under age."