The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-03-15

college for theological training. She
was the first woman to take the course
and this she did in the teeth of opposl-
ton that would have daunted any wo-
man who could have been daunted
Nature, TOO. seemed to have frowned
on her aspiration by giving her a
voice somewhat weak and slightly
sharp. She worked resolutely on this
voice year after year, lowering it's pitch
modulating it's tones, increasing. its vol
ume, till from being shrill and small il
became full, rich and resonant. Rev
Olympia Brown is most eloquent and
impressive speaker
After graduating at the theological
school she was for nine years pastor OF
church in Racine. Meantime she
was married to Mr.. Willis, but always
kept her own name of Brown. She be-
lieves women who wed should do this
Lately a friend asked her concerning a
lady who was a mutual acquaintance.
oh" said Mrs. Brown, she's mar
ried to Mr.. Blank, and she calls her
self Blank, in that foolish way women
have of changing their Names"
Mrs. Browns domestic life was very
happy one. Her son and daughter both
are graduates of Chicago university.
Each after graduation in America stud
led in Europe. After his return to his
came professor IN Washington and
Lee university and later the Washing
ton correspondent of a New York paper.
He and his mother now have their home
together in Washington
While the daughter, GwendoIin, was
in college a great sorrow came to the
family in the death of Mr. Willis. but
it only served to bring out the resource
fulness of Olympia Brown. Her hus-
hand was the mana ger q nd obiaf otu1o a..
of a daily newspaper in Racine. 1t was
f1ourishing under his superintendent,
but all its prosperity threatened to melt
away when he left it. Mrs. Brown
knew nothing practically of the man
agement of a newspaper yet she brave
ly took bold of it, Her task was the
more difficult from the fact that a large
job printing Office was connected with
the business.
Her daughter Gwendolin was at that
time in Chicago university. The college
girl came home to her mother. and for
seven years these two women conducted
the paper successfully. Once a strike
was on in the office and a boycott of the
paper was instituted. but through it all
the two ladies brought out their daily
regularly, not missing an issue Dur
ing those years domestic cares. which
always fall more heavily on woman
dauntless little minister. Her aged
mother became an invalid. requiring
constant watchfuIness and service.
Still brave Olympia Brown and her
girl Gwendolin held their daily paper
on it's course. This woman newspaper
office. like that of La Fronde in Paris.
was noted for its neatness and tasteful
furnishings, more like private home
than a business place. 1t was immacu-
lately ciean and orderly. and flowers
bIoomed in its windows. Olympia was
editor and business manager of her
paper. a : her husband had been before
her. and she had te learn her duties as
she went. every step of the way
At length there came opportunity to
dispose of the newspap per without loss
Mrs. Brown 5 mother had become still
more helpless, and Miss Gwendolin was
dreaming. studentlike. of visiting the
old world and garnering rich treasures
of learning. The business the two had
conducted so braveiy and successfully
was sold. Mrs. Brown took her place