Identified! TN - Cheatham Co, WhtFem 14-20, 566UFTN, poss hitchhiker, cross bite, poor dental care, Oct'81 - Linda Sue Karnes

[Friday Fan]

I also found a series of contemporary articles on the Montgomery County Girls Home, where Linda spent time. Several articles have photos of the girls—I didn’t spot Linda, but the quality isn’t great, and we only have one comparison photo.

This article states that troubled girls find their way to the home through the Dept of Human Resources, for such reasons as truancy, drinking.

Montgomery County Girls Home 14 December 1980

Clipping found in The Leaf-Chronicle published in Clarksville, Tennessee on 12/14/1980. Montgomery County Girls Home 14 December 1980

www.newspapers.com

Montgomery County Girls Home Pt 2 14 December 1980

Clipping found in The Leaf-Chronicle published in Clarksville, Tennessee on 12/14/1980. Montgomery County Girls Home Pt 2 14 December 1980

www.newspapers.com

(I didn’t clip the second part of this article, as it focuses on a specific girl’s story)

Montgomery County Girls Home 16 December 1980

Clipping found in The Leaf-Chronicle published in Clarksville, Tennessee on 12/16/1980. Montgomery County Girls Home 16 December 1980

www.newspapers.com

This article states that 8-12 girls live in dorm-like conditions at the home, with 90% returning to their families and 10% entering foster care.

Montgomery County Girls Home 28 August 1983

Clipping found in The Leaf-Chronicle published in Clarksville, Tennessee on 8/28/1983. Montgomery County Girls Home 28 August 1983

www.newspapers.com

In September 1981, the Home was facing challenges and threats of closing, with the eight girls being dispersed. Of the eight residents, five were status offenders (truancy, runaways, etc.), with the other three experiencing “family problems” (sexual abuse, alcoholic parents, or abandonment). I would guess that Linda would probably fall into the first category, unless Elsie entering a nursing home would be considered “abandonment.”

Montgomery County Girls Home 16 September 1981

Clipping found in The Leaf-Chronicle published in Clarksville, Tennessee on 9/16/1981. Montgomery County Girls Home 16 September 1981

www.newspapers.com

Montgomery County Girls Home 16 September 1981 Pt 2

Clipping found in The Leaf-Chronicle published in Clarksville, Tennessee on 9/16/1981. Montgomery County Girls Home 16 September 1981 Pt 2

www.newspapers.com

Sounds like w/o her great grandmother, she didn't have a "home".

I do wonder if she ran away? I wonder if there are records?