The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-07
APPEAL FOR HELP
Hrs. Thorpe Tells of Conditions
at Crittenden Home.
Place OvercrOWded and Girls
Can't BE Cared For.
ALARMING CONDITIONS
Topeka People Fail to Appreciate
Situation.
Three Hundred Dollars Needed
to Equip Cottage.
CONDITIONS

"crittenden Home is crowded beyond
its capacity. It has been that way for
the past three months and contains
more than twice as many inmates than
ever before in its history
This startling statement was made
today by Police Matron Thorpe. she
knows better than anyone in the city
for her rescue work lies in that line
just how many young girls are led
astray.
More room Is necessary at the
Home" she continued. About a year
ago Mr. Charles Cr.ttenden presented
to the Crittenden association here
cottage, just across the street from the
present home. But the association has
been unable to furnish it for lack Of
funds, and it therefore stands Idle and
unused. It would take about $500 to
furnish this cottage. I wish that the
eharitably minded people in the city
would subscribe this sum- I know how
the Crittenden association would APP
prectate it. ] wish that some one would
start subscription to raise this
amount. The money can be left with
me, OF any member of the association,
or any place that people choose.
1T is our plan to use this cottage for
diseased girls especially. There are so
many of that kind, and there have been
so many lately who have applied for
care. We have sent a good many to the
LeayenWorth Home and to the Home
of the Good Shepherd in Kansas City.
"Crittenden Home proper is over
crowded. It is too full for comfort.
While I do not wish to give the exact
number, I viii say that there are now
more than twice as many inmates than
ever before since its establishment.
Most of them are girls under age. These
cases That go to 1Crfttenden Home are
notaan by any means that occur Many
are taken Care of in different ways.
Often send girls to their parents rela-
tives or friends. Sometimes / send thera
to Kansas City and to LeayenWorth,
to the Homes there.
Il wish to say right now that the con-
ditions in Topeka are infinitely worse
than ever before. Last week went in
to a number Of places with deputy
sheriff looking for four young girls,
under age, who had gone astray. Two
| I found and sent them to their parents
/ Another got the other day. She was
placed in the hospital at the county
/ Jail and today was taken away by an
/ old friend Of the family who will LOOK
/ after her. We had planned to send
4 her to the Crittenden Home. She is IN
such condition that she needs just
4 such care as is afforded at the home.
But probably It VII be better 70 let nei
/ 60 with her friends. She IS unuer az E
d
The story Of her betrayal is just ike
4 that of many Others.
The parents Of the city ought to take
! warning. They ought to awaken 70 ms
Il conditions now existing in Topeka II
the mothers and fathers would know
all the time where their girls are COINS
to at nights much of this sorrow coulc
be avoided If the general public only
II knew of the heart breaking trageale'
that some of these cases, IN tact ths
most of them contain, they Would ~
careful. Often young girls go out VIII
young men for an evening" entertain
ment. The parent thinks II an llgIlt
Il and never inquire The result IS OTTER
SO very bad
A. bad WoTnen. have come into Topeki
in great nunbers from Kansas Clty
Junction City. IeeaEenworth ana Wlcnl
ia principally. Quite Few say tne.
ara from Atchison. I do not know
lust how many disorderly houses tner
are in Topeka, but [ think ABOUT ~ .
70 white and black together, Ihef
are so many young girls IN these places
+rv 40 far as possible to rescue thes
! ard get many of them Strengthened out
~ a + least back into the hands Of par
ents. relatives or friends who will 1901
after them.
Ynent might be meted out to the me
who commit these wrongs. l Anlhk tl i,
/ some plan will be arrived at by Whlcl
they are made to suffer l am NUS
aTf is too bad that these horrible con
| dftfons obtain in Topeka today. But 70
the benefit Of the wronged girls W
must keep the names unpublished.
1T hone that the people Of Iopeka WI
| arfctxlv take UP this matter OF raislIll
1900 to furnish the cottage annex
Crfftenden Home. That IS yer
worthy matter and one that should o
looked after Immediately. The CrltteIi
den Home association will appreciate
Immensely. 1t will do great amour
of good and care for many sulLell iii
girls and women.
Mrs. E. NJ Van C1eave, a member o
the Crittenden Home association wa
asked this morning relative to he
ideas as to how the young men guilt
of wronging the girls should be pun
Iished. Mrs. Thorpe had suggested
that all of the men be compelled t
pay a certain sum of money TO Int
II do not believe in Mrs Thorpet
theory" said Mrs. Van Cleave. IF
had nv way about it, every one O.
those men would be behind the bars il
the nenitentiary. Two months ago
swore out a warrant for the arrest Of
one Young man in this city on {
statutory charge. The girl he wrongee
was an inmate of the Crittenden Home
The warrant was made out in the
county attorneys office. But it hal
mot vet been served. I would like t
know why it has not been served.
suppose that It will be as soon as tbs
political contest is over. / gave the
officers the picture of the young man