The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-11

short time ago by a young man who
had served a term In prison for OBJ
tanning money under false pretenses.
He was taken in charge by the So
ciety a few years ago on his release
and was given a new start In life. He
was later married. the superintend-
ent performing the ceremony. He
now reports that he is the editor and
owner of prosperous county seat
newspaper and is doing well.
There came to the society recently
on parole from prison a man who had
some years ago had trouble with his
wife and parted from her. He soon
became wild and vicious and was sent
to prison for a statutory crime. While
protesting his innocence of that par
ticular charge, yet he admitted that
he was guilty OF crimes that warrant
ed prison sentence. He declared to
the society officers that his term of
confinement did him good and that all
he wanted was chance to start
again. The society gave him that
chance and he is now doing well and
will win his release from parole in a
short time.
The superintendent had a call a
week or two ago from one of his men
who had come to him from prison
after serving a sentence on charge of
horse stealing. He admitted his guilt.
of aid and soon became a good citi-
zen. He left this state and engaged in
business. Later he was married and
went into the manufacturing business
with his father-in-law. He is now q
respectable citizen and happy man.
Some time ago the society received
three negroes from prison on parole.
One turned out bad and was sent back
to prison as hopeless case The
second one worked his pardon out
and remained faithful to the society's
teachings and his own professions. He
was married a short time ago and Is
now working in Kansas City at his
Is living In Topeka and owns real
estate here and is married.
The cases of these three negroes are
especially interesting for they illus
trate strongly the effective work of
the Society FOR the Friendless. The
first negro turned out bad after he
was given a second start in life. No
farther effort was wasted upon him
but he was promptly placed again
where he could not harm society.
This was practical as well as humane
work. The other two turned out well.
Most people would regard a negro
convict as hopeless case and many
would class him as a menace to So
ciety-a wild beast. But this society
placed the gentle hand of Christianity
on the black outcast's shoulder,
breathed words of hope in his ear and
he broke the strongest letters of dis
grace and hopelessness a man can
wear In this world, overcome the
handicap of his color and is now a
property owner in this city and is liv-
ing happy and useful life with his
wife and family.
The work is not in vain IL only one
life and soul were saved a year In
stead of scores. 1t is hard enough to
| work for the betterment of man in
green pastures and beside pleasant
| streams. but this society goes down to
| the lip of hell after the outcasts OF
| society. the most depraved and vicious
| Of the race and tries to lift them up
| and in its efforts finds many good
men in these dark places. A word OF
| two about the society's work nigh,
| be of interest. 1t is Topeka institu-
| ton and was born in this city. To-
peka has many Industries and institu-
tions to advertise her to the rest OF
the country, but score of sister cities
| have similar advertisements. But few
very few, cities In this country are
privileged to be the headquarters of g