This morning Officer Hart humanely became the guardian of a little
six-day-old baby boy at the Station House. The father of the young
child is Lewis O'Neil, who has been recently employed on the
Straustown branch of the South Mountain Railroad Company, at Pleasant
Valley, about five miles from this city. The wife of Mr. O'Neal died
with the birth of the little one, and was buried. Mr. O'Neal
accompanied by a nineteen year-old daughter, came to the Station
House last evening, bringing with them the little motherless
baby. Several women were called upon by the officers, who
administered to the wants of the little child. This morning Officer
Hart signified his willingness to adopt the child, and the parent
consented. So the Mayor drew up an agreement by which O'Neal
transferred his child, Harry O'Neal to Mr. Hart until 21 years of
age, with full power to change its name to Hart. And the officer
wrapped up the little infant warmly and had it carried home to his
wife. Mr. and Mrs. Hart are without children, and now little Harry
O'Neal or Harry Hart, will fill a place at their fireside. The
daughter of Mr. O'Neal will for the present be taken to the Alms House.
[Source: Reading Eagle, Reading PA, October 6, 1874. Submitted by Betty.]