The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-24
Mrs. Brubalxer, With Whom Cleo
Bennett Is Working.

ing to the penitentiary and was de-
termined that 1 should not. Suddenly
q. light came to me. 1 fell asleep and
the next morning I was a new
woman, God had come to me and
changed everything. 1 felt the new
life at once and it was then and
there that I was anxious to go to
Lansing and was anxious in every way
to receive the punishment I deserved.
Many missionaries came to me while
at the Jail and I will always remem-
Der their kindness and also the kind
ness of officials at both the city and
the county jails.''
Cleo Bennett was taken from the
county jail at Topeka and spent ten
months in Lansing. She likes to dis
cuss her work among the prisoners in
the penitentiary. She was released
two months before the minimum time
and says she would gladly have
stayed there until ten years were up.
In speaking of the matter the woman
said: 81 will always remember those
ten months. When I first went there
from the county Jail I had thrown
aside my sins and I was so happy
that 1 commenced at once to do good
among the prisoners. I paid most of
my attention to fallen girls whom I
knew needed help more than any
one else. I would talk to them by
the hour and I know L saved many
of them from further disgrace. When
1 was not talking to the prisoners and
begging them to do right 1 would
sew and do fancy work. 1 improved
every bit of my time and feel greatly
repaid for it. I will never forget the
kindness of Warden and Mrs. Has
kell, and the matrons and officials of
the prison. Everything they did for
the prisoners was for their good and
the system was for the good of all
concerned"
When Cleo Bennett was released
from Lansing on July % she came
to Topeka at once, but not finding the
work she wanted she went to
Iecompton where she cooked in the
Windsor hotel. But she could not
stay away from Topeka and with an
idea that some day she would be able
to do good where she had done so
much wrong she rturned to the city
and cooked for Mrs. Rowes at 1920
Western avenue. She was here until
a few weeks ago when she cooked in
the tents at the PenticostaI meetings
in Garfield park. 1t was during these
meetings that she was baptized in the
Kaw river by the Rev. Clarence Fos-
ter. The baptism occurred three
weeks ago, Just below the Sardou
bridge and hundreds of people came
to see the ceremony. When Cleo had
finished this work she at once took up
the evangelical work with a Mrs.
Della Brubaker, 100 Jefferson street
anu luGy at lflS present time on
the streets preaching and singing,
Cleo and Mrs. Brubaker will erect a
tent In the near future and conduct
religious meetings in the bottoms
where they hope to save fallen girls
that is if they can get money as they
are entirely without funds.
In speaking of her attempt to burn
down the city Jail Cleo said that she
could not remember thing concern
ing the act She says when she tries
to think of this matter her mind re-
mains blank. She says that she will
not deny the attempt as she has so
much reliance in the city officials but
she cannot remember anything in
connection with the incident
In speaking of her health and gen
era1 disposition she said: 81 never
felt better in my life. I am getting
healthy and stout and can thank God
for it all. My natural instinct would
be to withdraw from the public but
want to get out and work for the girls
and women Of Topeka. And I might