Unlike many Magdalen girls, Lottie's life left more of a trace. She was the daughter of German immigrant Gerhard Leison & Mary Dubois, she married Charles O'Connor in 1912, and they had a son, Toby, in 1916. Lottie died in Nov. 1969 in Los Angeles. Charles in 1960, Toby in 1991.
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 24, 2022
Today in 1872, indigenous teen Lou Davis -- who had recently escaped from the SF Magdalen Asylum -- was on her way back there after being accused of arson. What I want to know is, what did Mrs. Allen of Greenwich Street do to Lou? Don't you think she probably had it coming? pic.twitter.com/vmNmV7IEKY
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 23, 2022
Today in 1898, 14-year-old Lizzie Franz was sentenced to the SF Magdalen Asylum for committing several burglaries, allegedly while drunk. She destroyed a gold watch worth $75 in an effort to evade conviction. I do love the illustration of her in court. pic.twitter.com/9ZqtLnYR6G
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 20, 2022
Also today, in 1871, the teenager daughter of a "Federal office-holder" was "rescued" from a brothel and sent to the SF Magdalen Asylum. Notice how, when such a girl has a prominent father, she gets to keep her anonymity in the newspapers. pic.twitter.com/BFnA5qlMDy
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 14, 2022
Today in 1869, teen Maggie Cummings was sentenced to the SF Magdalen Asylum after running away from home and being found in a "low den" on the Barbary Coast. Also, fares on the Oakland ferry increased from 10 cents to 15 ($3.28 in today's money, still a bargain). pic.twitter.com/VnaznPwNVV
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 14, 2022
Today in 1890, 16-year-old Katie Sheridan was headed to the SF Magdalen Asylum after marrying Frank Dolan. Dolan was charged with perjury for claiming Katie was 18 and falsifying his address. And he sold Katie into sex work. She remained in the Mag until March 24, 1891. pic.twitter.com/ZyIaZybJMv
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 13, 2022
This would be a fairy tale if it weren't so tragic (and that's considering how tragic fairy tales are). Today in 1889, 13yo Jessie Steinman was headed to the SF Magdalen Asylum after running away from a cruel stepmother with her 8yo brother. She'd escaped the Mag before! pic.twitter.com/PdGHq1usPJ
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 7, 2022
I haven't said this explicitly, but many of the "wayward" or "unmanageable" girls sent to Magdalen Asylums were probably neurodivergent. This new book report from @alokvmenon makes it clear. See the whole thing at https://t.co/VWgybGKM7I pic.twitter.com/ljlfeYD729
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 4, 2022
Today in 1897, 17-year-old Nellie Kelly was arrested and destined for the SF Magdalen Asylum after her own mother complained that she had lost interest in a piano-playing paramour and was seeking "the company of various men." Being a "wayward" girl was literally a crime. pic.twitter.com/fQdIhHllbW
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) December 2, 2022
Today in 1901, 17-year-old Marie Adams was destined for the SF Magdalen Asylum on the grounds that her mother said she was "inclined to be wayward and tell romantic stories." Doesn't that describe most teenagers? pic.twitter.com/siLxb7TaN8
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 26, 2022
Today in 1897, 18-year-old Lena Cutting was on her way to the SF Magdalen Asylum. She was staying at the Sheltering Arms after what sounds like a mental health crisis, but caused too much trouble for those nuns. And her relationship with her mom was pretty rocky. :( pic.twitter.com/FQVNgSrb20
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 25, 2022
Today in 1883, 10-year-old (!!) Delia Dunleavy was destined for the SF Magdalen Asylum after she was discovered that she was borrowing money in her mother's name. Clever girl, if you ask me. But her "parents could not keep her at home?" I wonder what was going on. pic.twitter.com/gwWnF9HOdF
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 20, 2022
Many Mag alums went on to this kind of housekeeping work, but wound up stealing from their bosses; my guess is the pay and conditions were miserable.
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 19, 2022
Annie Stanton, 15, left home and found work because her father refused to support her, and threatened to send her to the SF Magdalen Asylum. Today in 1890, Annie was destined for the Mag after being arrested trying to support herself. What else was she supposed to do? pic.twitter.com/k3Rw5kvvuj
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 17, 2022
Yesterday in 1890, 17yo Mamie Patridge married plumber Charles Ford -- instead of being jailed in the SF Magdalen Asylum. Her crime? Working as a waitress in a "low saloon." Some girls chose marriage over the Mag, but judges halted many such unions bc the girls were too young. pic.twitter.com/TDGRVWQIXa
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 12, 2022
The heartbreakingest part? "Their mother was communicated with by telephone and she declared that she did not care what became of them."
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 11, 2022
Today in 1888, "young but sinful" (sigh) Katie Menton, Lizzie Defau, and Kate Morrison, all 12-15, were sentenced to the SF Magdalen Asylum for running away and spending time with boys in San Jose. The girls' MOTHERS told the police to take them to the Mag. pic.twitter.com/bH42bJj3dH
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 8, 2022
Today in 1873, there were efforts in the works to release teen Hannah Curtin from the SF Magdalen Asylum. She'd been sent there for *checks notes* her dad shooting someone?! My guess is, he was her sole caregiver, and was arrested, and she had nowhere else to go. pic.twitter.com/PVUJyiaBcs
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) November 7, 2022
CW: suicide attempt.
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) October 27, 2022
How bad was the San Francisco Magdalen Asylum? Today in 1902, 15-year-old Annie Leslie Reid said she would rather poison herself then be sentenced there. pic.twitter.com/uDx00tKu8e
Tonight in 1894, "young and fair" 17yo Emma Brewer was arrested and destined for the SF Magdalen Asylum for engaging in sex work. This account from the SF Call is dripping with moralistic paternalism. Maybe she didn't have many options for income. Maybe she liked sex work. Argh. pic.twitter.com/eAewXLgZr8
— Beth Winegarner (@bethwinegarner) October 26, 2022