From the front page of The Commonwealth, Scotland Neck, N.C., Friday, August 20, 1920
Would Sell His Daughter for $1,000. . . Artist, Broke and Jobless, Offers Little Girl for Sale. . . A Shocking Affair
Chicago, Aug. 18--Oak Park received a shock today when the local paper printed an advertisement offering:
"For Sale--A beautiful four-year-old girl for $1,000. She has auburn hair, blue eyes, good health, legitimate parents." The "ad" was inserted by Charles Stoddard, artist, of New York. His friend, M.J. Mintz, explained:
"Stoddard came to Chicago only a few weeks ago. Before that he lived in New York. He was married and the father of two children, a boy, six, and a girl, Sylvia, four. A few months ago his wife died after a long illness, which took all Stoddard's money. He could find no work, and was forced to beg his way to Chicago, bringing his little girl with him.
"He thought he could find work when he got here, but has been unable to do so, and it is now in destitute circumstances, and heavily in debt.
"For the sake of the little girl he wishes to place her in the home of a good family. In order to do this he is advertising the little girl 'for sale,' which means that in consideration of $1,000, which is the amount he needs to pay his debts, he will allow a good family to adopt this child. He has received more than 200 replies."
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