The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-02-23
GIRLS RAN AWAY.
Seven Inmates of CrittentOn
Home Leave.
Charge That They Were Dis
eliminated Against.
TOOK THEIR BABIES.
One Left on a Train During
the Night.
Four Are Taken i'm Charge by
the Police.
TOOK THEIR BABIES.

| Seven girls ranging from IL to Is
years of age who have been inmates of
the Crittenton home, deserted last night
charging discrimination and favorit-
! ism.
! OF the seven girls who left the insti-
tuition, one left Topeka on a train dur
| ing the night. two are at the Savoy
hotel and four were taken by the po-
lice today as they were about to leave
the city on a Santa Fe train. The
girls, who go by the names of Hazel
Fannie, Jeanette, Clara, Belle, Wilda
and Lillian at the Home, had their
babies with them when they left the
institution The babies range from
to months of age.
-Four girls We're left at the Home
after the seven left. OF the four re-
naming at the home, two are in bed
other two are favorites of the matron,
Mrs. Osman.
'All of the girls have homes to go
TO-, said one of the runaways today.
None OF US were here as objects of
charity, but only to remain for a
time. The matron made a favorite of a
17-year-old girl at the home and told
her all about the history of every 9TH
er girl that came there. Whenever
there were any donations of any kind
at the home, these two girls were al
ways given the preference. Yesterday
some large contributions were received
at the nome ana IneY were ali
up to one room and the matron and
these two girls went up to divide the
things up. Some of the other girls
wanted in on it, and they were told to
keep out, that it was none of their
business. Many of us have helped
with all the work around the institu-
ton, have put in our time sewing and
nursing others, and have in many
ways earned our board and lodging,
and we felt that we were entitled to
our share of the division of any of the
donations to the home. The matron
only allowed the two girls who were
her favorites to use the sewing ma
chimes"
At the police station today the girls
issued an ultimatum to the effect that
they would never go back to the Crit
tenton home. They announced that
they would go to Jail for a year if
necessary rather than go back to the
institution. All the girls appear to be
bright and intelligent and are hardly
to be classed with people in lower
strata of society.
Three of the girls announced that
they would permit their babies to be
adopted by any one who chose to take
them, but the three others refused to
give up their little ones.
Trouble Maker Sa.-s Mrs. Wilson.
Mrs. Richard Wilson, one of the
Crittenton home, was at the police sta
ton this afternoon. She said: t
This trouble is the result of dis
sension stirred up by one girl who is
troublemaker. The affair of yesterday
was simply the refusal of the matron
to allow about a dozen girls to pull
and haul over the goods that were
donated. She didn't want all the girls
messing through the things at once.
I'VE won't insist On making the
girls return to the home. They may
come back or go home as they please.
Their trunks are all at the home, and
they will be welcome If they want to
return. We are simply having them
held by the police till the members of
the board of trustees may talk to them
and urge them to return to the home.
They Will be allowed to decide the
matter for themselves, however"