Tragic Story Behind The ‘Children for Sale’ Photo from the 1940s

In the late 1940s, a heartbreaking image showing four children for sale was published in newspapers across the United States. A woman named Lucille Chalifoux and her husband, Ray faced the challenges of being out of work and on the verge of eviction and seemingly had no other option. However, there may have been more to it than what the public had been led to believe. Eventually, the children would have the opportunity to tell their stories.

Children for Sale

On August 5, 1948, an advert was posted in the Vidette-Messenger in Valparaiso, Indiana, that showed a mother, with her back turned and her head in her hands, seemingly distraught. Meanwhile, her four young children sat on the steps behind her, next to a sign that read: “4 children for sale. Inquire within.” The announcement eventually made its way into newspapers all over the U.S. From New York and Pennsylvania to Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Then, it made its way into newspapers in Iowa, Texas, and a few other states.

4 children for sale sit on steps with their mother behind them,

Image Credit: The Vidette-Messenger / Rare Historical Photos

The children for sale were Lana, aged 6, and Rae, aged 5, seen sitting on the upper step. Meanwhile, their four-year-old brother Milton sat on the lower step with two-year-old Sue Ellen. It turns out that Lucille was pregnant with her fifth child, who would also be sent away. Many of the children have little recollection of their birth mother or taking the photo. However, some would meet Lucille later in life, and find that her decision may not have come out of necessity. The children for sale each have their own unique and fascinating, if not tumultuous story that they’ve been able to share with one another. With the exception of Lana, who passed away in 1998 of cancer.

 

 

 

CONTINUE READING…
Author: awestories24.com

Related Posts

Everyone Loved These — They Disappeared in Minutes

These crispy chicken fritters are a delightful treat that everyone will love. Whether served as an appetizer or the main dish, they bring a satisfying crunch and…

A Graceful Life Remembered: The Legacy of a Remarkable Woman

Joan Bennett Kennedy, born in New York City in 1936, was a woman of elegance, warmth, and remarkable determination. A classically trained pianist with a master’s degree…

The Truth Behind SPAM: Ingredients and History Explained

SPAM is one of those foods that seems to appear in almost every pantry, especially in older generations’ kitchens. First introduced by Hormel Foods in 1937, it…

If your baby.

Sudden changes in the skin—such as new moles, dark spots, or scaly patches—can be worrying. While many are harmless, some may indicate skin cancer, one of the…

These are the consequences of sleeping with…See more

Sleeping with the wrong person can bring lasting emotional consequences. What may seem like a moment of passion can turn into weeks of regret if intimacy is…

An old man from Alabama moved to New York

An old man from Alabama moved to New York and decided to look for work. He walked into a massive department store and asked for a job….