In 1913, the US Post Office's Parcel Post began offering its services to deliver mail too heavy for normal letter post. Americans were now able to send packages that weighed up to eleven pounds. Within the first few weeks, a handful of parents had tried to send their children via post.
One notable case was that of a two-year-old boy who was shipped by his grandmother from Stratford, Oklahoma, to an aunt living in Wellington, Kansas. The boy's grandmother paid 18 cents for postage and attached a tag to the boy's neck with the recipient's address. The boy was transported 25 miles by rural route and rode with the mail clerks on the train. He arrived in Wellington in good condition and was reunited with his aunt.
Another case was that of a baby boy who was mailed by his parents from Glen Este, Ohio, to his grandmother, who lived about a mile away. The baby weighed 10-3/4 pounds, just within the 11-pound weight limit. The parents paid 15 cents for postage and insured the baby for $50. The baby was delivered safely to his grandmother.
The practice of mailing children was short-lived. In June 1913, the Postmaster General issued an order prohibiting the mailing of live animals, including humans. However, there are a few reports of children being mailed after this date.
It is important to note that the practice of mailing children was not very common. Most parents were aware of the dangers involved and would not risk sending their children through the mail. However, the few cases that did occur highlight the lax regulations that existed at the time and the changing nature of transportation and communication in the early 20th century.
