Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-02-29
DThe Women in Black" Find
Some salt Lakers to Cham
pion Cause.
MRS. JULIA A. BAKERS STORY.
something About Woman Whose
Agents Are Collecting Money Here
10 send Back to Missouri.

..rbe Women in Black" who are
.,,ryosslng tho town for subscriptions
,or an orphan home in Missouri are
s,nl operating in this city, with con-
,tderable success and In the face of
the apparently organized opposition
70 their mission. are making num-
her of friends and incidentally gath
erinp in the coin. OF the two soiici-
tors the woman with the soulful eyes
and winning smile is the more sue
cessful.
several gentlemen insist that Mrs
JuIia Anna Baker, founder of the 10
rsphs home in Kansas City, to which
reference has been made, is a much
maligned lady. In II lengthy COM
munlcatlon handed in for publication,
one champion explains how it is that
these ladies made their headquarters
al the Wilson hotel. Among other
things, he says:
'Ihe circular letter sent out by the
associated charities, Mrs. Baker char
actorlzes as unjust and untrue. II is
not new and a suit for libel has been
prepared against papers that have
heretofore published 1t. Charitable
work begun by her husband In VAS
consin was not successful and she
was brought prominently before the
public by reason of things for which
she was not responsible. Her hus-
band who was u minister, finally de-
serted her and her two young chill
drcn, leaving her homeless and penni-
less in joplin, Mo.
FOUNDING OF HOME.
at was then that the ideas chrys-
talged which led to the founding of
5osc as home. Conditions that con-
frontcl her, forced these ideas upon
her. Tho duty of providing for her.
GeiI and children led her to seek en-
pho. mont Before she could get en-
piGyncnt she must put her children
uUt ,c DC cared for. The orphan's
The co..tr2st: The children must he
sun o.-ercd entirely to be adopted out
y X s-l at ell, unless she could pay
10y htr keeping.
10 think of signing away her chill
drcn, who were dearer to ler than
- self, never TO look upon them
az nor to know of their where
a5od,1, to have them lose the paren-
tai r-me and cared for, possibly, by
some woman whose cold Formally
altk hOmc but name, whose heat
k-ctG not the meaning of mother
icoG! Such d picture confronted Mrs
h. Scr. Sc saw here what, to her.
CT uscd the Civil war for but few of
tle insra.ss of orphans homes are
nalIJ without parents. She resolved
Gl,t The inhumanity of such separa-
tiors should b. shown to n candid
world and to do what little lay in
hey .1Wcr TO correct the evil She
ronr. .gcd the idea of founding home
lor uo,Ners and children. She would
care for the children of the homeless,
deIendcnt mothers, and at the same
time uplift the mothers and help
them by some useful occupation to
become self-sustaining. This home
should be dedicated to maintaining
and strengthening the family ties
Mrs. Baker was imbued with the
thought that the case is rare. If in
deed any exist, where n woman who
has become a mother is entirely de-
void Of the motherly instinct. She
believes that however depraved u
mother may be, when untoward cir
cumstances are removed she will re-
spond to reformatory help as surely
ms the flower turns its face to the
sun.
HUMBLE BEGINNING.
"a humble beginning was made,
and the beneVolence of the people
appealed to her to sustain the move
ment, With a stout heart and
prayer of faith, Mrs. Baker toiled and
success has crowned her efforts.
Goods boxes We're first, chairs, news
papers, the table cloths and beds were
made upon the floor. She many times
went hungry and impoverished her
own wardrobe that the destitute might
have relief. she met opposition and
was beset by difficulties. The lapses
% her husband were brought up
against her; but knowing the right
oousness of her purpose, she did not
lalter. once gaining the ear of the
thinking men they gave her hearty
support. Her story bore the stamp
OF truth and friends increased. The
home was moved to Kansas City,
more central point, and property was
purchased for the present home. Il
Is the aim Of the founder to establish
similar homes In other localities
where they are needed.
scoRNs ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.
Mrs Baker does not hold herself
answerable to tho Associated char
tiles, but to the public. A strict
accounting Is made and n committee
OF business men make regular exam
nations and reports. Expenses arc
guarded and regulated as wisely rs
possible On entering a town for the
FIRST time representatives seek a good
hotel until acquaintance gives ASSURE
ance OF accommodations above re-