For the purpose of indemnifying the county against charges for the maintenance of illegitimate children, the father, if the father can be ascertained, is liable to proceedings as provided in title 36, chapter 2.
Code 1858, § 1623; Shan., § 2707; Code 1932, § 4917; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), §§ 14-1503, 14-9-103.