The Topeka state journal., 1897-12-04
HELP FOR.ONE FAMILY.
But How Many others are ThersWho
Will Never Tell Their Destttution.

George Foster Byrn of 1879 East
Fourth street. and his family, COM
posed of a wife and five small children,
who were on the verge of starvation
this week, to whose pitiable condition
attention was called by this paper, have
been helped in a substantial way by
charita bic friends in Topeka, and Mr..
Byrn now has job where he can earn
small wages.
The article describing the destitution
of the family and their misfortune was
responded to quickly. Now there are
groceries in the kitchen, coal in the
shed and warm clothes on the children.
Mr.. Byrn is at work, and the family,
which was too proud to ask aid until
starvation stared them in the face, is
now happy.
The following letter was received at
this office in regard to the family:
To the Editor of the State Journal:
I noticed in your paper an article
headed Life Worth Living in regard
to a family at 1872 East Fourth street,
George F. Byrn. We wish to say that
we have known Mr.. Byrn from the first
day he came to Topeka to live, and
we know him to be an honest, deserv-
ing man, and worthy of any help that
may be extended him and his family
and we know that the family is very
destitute. We can also say that we
know that Mr.. Byrn is willing to do
any kind of work he can get to do Ihe
family needs mostly now suitable
clothing for this cold weather and bed
clothing. They have no cook stove,
only a small heater for a small room.
We made a canvass of the avenue this
morning and raised SIS in money, and
some kind friend sent them a half ton
of coal. We also procured a few ar
ticles of wearing apparel, but Mrs.
Byrn and the children give of them)
are sadly in need of clothing yet If the
ladies will only take this matter up and
will send any articles of clothing for
girls or boys from to IL years, bed
clothing, either to them or to our office,
we will see that they get them. Any
contributions left at our office to aid in
getting a cook stove and bedstead and
fully received. Respectfully,
PAYNE & THOMPSON,
511 Kansas Avenue.
Today when a reporter visited the
ByIY home on East Fourth street, one
of the little boys was carrying coal in
to the shed from the front lot. His face
showed that he was proud of his task.
I'VE is goin' to be warm now. Whee!
I tell you it was just awful when we
was SO cold. Somebody sent US this
coal, and [ is taktn' it in the shed.
Mamma has got some groceries, too"
The boy trudged back to the shed ap-
parently glad to do the work.
A knock at the front door of the
modest dwelling of Mr.. Byrn brought
Mrs. Byrn, a fraiI looking woman,
came.
"Oh, we are so much obliged to you
for what you did said she. kind
friends have given US food and cloth
ing, and now my husband has a place
where he can earn $16 a month. It is
at Mr.. Randolph's mill. That isn't
much money, but 1t is better than
nothing, I can tell you. Some one sent
us half a ton of coal. have groceries
enough now to last me a few days. Mr..
Payne brought me $14, which he had
collected. I was about to lose my
sewing machine, and now I can make
a payment on it. I do hate to have to
accept help this way" and Mrs. Byrn's
lip quiVered
1T don't seem right, but we are very
thankful for what people have done. If
I were strong, would be glad to work
and earn money; for I used to. But it
is all I can do to take care of my fam
lily. 1 think we can get along all right
now