You must have been a beautiful baby

Brookville Democrat, April 28, 1927

Baby Show and Health Contest

Through the efforts of the (Franklin) County Nurse, Mrs. Bertha Doubt in conjunction with National Child Health Day, a baby show and health contest will be held at the Franklin Furniture Store, Tuesday May 3. 

Elizabeth Waters, Child Hygiene Statistician of Indianapolis, will have charge of the judging. Miss Waters has been in charge of the Healthy Baby's contest at the State Fair for the past four years. Local physicians have consented to assist in the examination.

Babies under 3 years of age are eligible to enter in the contest. Every baby entered will be given a thorough physical and mental examination. Each baby entered will be given a prize. (Mental examination?)

Through the courtesy of Howard Brown of the Franklin Furniture store, a beautiful gift, a baby bed and mattress will be presented to the baby having the highest score in the examination.

So, who won?

Eighty-five babies were entered and 79 cards turned in to be scored, 40 of which were girls. The youngest baby girl was 11 days old. The oldest girl was 32 months, 25 days. The youngest boy was 1 month, 30 days. The oldest boy was 35 months, 24 days. (The limit was 36 months).

Mary Ruth Sammis, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Sammis won first prize -- the coveted baby bed. She was 7 months, 20 days.

Phenis Lawrence, son of Mr. and Mrs. Phenis Lawrence, was second. He was 8 months, 22 days. 

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Found this photo of Mary Ruth Sammis from her engagement to Stu Merrill in 1947, living in Richmond.

She divorced the guy in 1968.