The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-20

bORRS. SlSIeQ, + l.. DO66Ss
If any one will walk south on To-
peka avenue beyond the last block of
houses, cross the wagon bridge over
the creek at a point opposite the fair
grounds and then climb the hill be-
yond, passing by grove and down the
incline on the other side. he will see,
among the trees on a pleasant hillside.
two nice looking two-story houses.
fronting to the east. The one to the
south is occupied by Mr.. and Mrs. F. l..
Boggs and their own two children and
seven homeless tots that are being
cared for by Mrs Boggs in her chosen
work. And it is the fact of the pres
ence of these homeless seven, born under
an unucky star, doomed beforehand
through no act or, fault of theirs to
misfortune that the notice above was
inserted in Saturdays paper by MI
Boggs. a. .-.v
Mrs. Boggs has been we'll known here
for several years past through her con-
nection with the Crittenton home work
for orphan and homeless children, and
especially for children who had only
one parent, a sick or destitute or hard
working mother or a deserted rather
who could not provide a home ana
proper attention for their little ones.
Mrs. Boggs. after a couple of years
service on the Crittenton home board,
a trip east to the Boston Crittenton
home convention and visit with Mr..
Crittenton himself and still later an
unsuccessful effort to start the Cottage
Home for Orphan Children on a per-
manent basis. finally bought the house
beyond the fairgrounds and proceeded
10 take in and care for all the home
less children she could.
Mrs. Boggs broke down In her work
and had nervous prostration some time
ago and Mas confined at a hospital for
several months. Later she recovered
and resumed her duties in her home.
When the reporter called at the Boggs
home he found Mrs. Boggs in the largo
summer kitchen behind the house en-
gagged in her Saturday baking. she
knew nothing of the notice of repudia-
ton of her debts her husband had THAI
day inserted in the paper, but freely
told the story of her life and work.
when Mr.. Roggs and were mar
ried some seventeen years ago. sne
said. 1--WE were as we'll mated as the
average mated couple, but for many
years 1 have been growing toward
spiritual and he toward temporal things
and the result is that at this time we
are widely apart in our views or me
and it's living. I have not word TO
say against my husband: ne Is a eooo
man in his way, and / believe wouid
be with me in my work but for his
people.
Called by the Lord.
"I heard the Lords voice call me to
this work of caring for homeless chill
dren years ago, but when 1t came to a
mass that it threatened the separation
of myself and husband. 1 gave 1t up
for a time. Later / took up girls.
bible class at the Crittenton home and
conducted II for six months. l loved
the work and gave it up with reluct-
Inc 70 toll
place on the board of the Crittenton
home.
II believe the Lord has called me to
this work of caring for unfortunate
children made homeless through death
of father or mother and the grip OF
poverty. l can no more resist the call
than could the fishermen of Gallilee
when the Master babe them be fishers
of men, 1 made the trip to the Bos-
ton convention. not so much dele
gate as a personal mission to learn of
the work. The board did not ask for
my report on the Crittenton home
convention in the Hub city. so 1 had
It published in the State Journal. Its
publication brought $500 in to the aid
of Crittentoa home work in this city.
ct did not get along we'll with the
Crittenton home board: they thought
1 was too Jealous, so 1 resigned. Then
I took up the work here. l sold my
home on Polk street and wanted to
the two-story house next to this ono
to use as a self sustaining industrial
home for the unfortunate children
that throng this world. Aside from
anv humane motive the investment
was a good one at the price offered of
s1.O5O, but my husband objected so
emphatically that I gave up the plan.
I could not convince my husband of
the wisdom of the investment from a
material standpoint. even after I had
the testimony of a disinterested. real
estate man. That property could not
now be bought for $500. paid half