The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-20
NO PLACE FOR HIM.
Chief Eaton and Provfdent Ak->sastion
Clash Over S. L. Neasch.

Branding as an outrage the failure of
charitable organizations in Topeka
TO care for S. L. Neasch, a hopeless
cripple whose home IS in Fort Scott.
Ponce chief r. w. Eaton today voices
himself with the assertion that although
the man is not a charge of Shawnee
county because his residence is outside
the limits of the state division, such
persons must be cared for and it is
only right from a standpoint of hu-
manlty to make provision for him and
not kick the man about, a football of
fate.
Appeal has been made by Neasch to
the Shawnee county poor commission
er but nothing has been done because
of the fact that the man is not a resi-
dent of this county. Neasch has refused
to remain at the Provident Associa-
ton, saying that it is no fit place for
decent man, and Guy T. Justis, the
general secretary claims that he has
over $40 in his possession now, and is
a rank impoSter
Neasch is today attempting to locate
some place where provision will be
made for him. and although his wheel
chair is held at the Glenwood hotel
for the nonpayment of board bill, he is
travelling about Topeka in hack Sc
cured for him by someone, in a vain
attempt to find some charitable minded
person or persons to help him. His
lower limbs are useless. also one of
his arms, besides the sight is nearly
gone from his eyes.
The Provident Association has tried
to palm him off on the police several
times" Chief Eaton said today, land
although we would care for him if it
was in our power we have not the
function of caring for such as he. We
are a police organization, and not a
charitable institution. besides there is
no place here that we could keep him.
"Neasch was sent by some one to
the Darlington hotel Saturday night.
He was driven there in a hack, and
having no money was put out this
morning. Another cab was secured for
him, and later call was sent to the
police informing them of the man. We
have no power over him, and 1t is the
function of some charitable institution
to care for him.
IF the man is sent elsewhere it is
but the same thing over and over again.
and it is only right that the man should
be cared for here rather than send him
on and having him a continual impo-
sition on one or another municipality.
That some place must be secured for
the disposal of trapsients of that char
acter is certain. and If the charitable
institutions here are not able to do
something in some way, then it must
be conceded that the system is bad
According to Secretary Justis, of the
Provident Association, an offer has
been made to pay the fare of Neasch
in order to get him to Fort Scott, but
it is claimed he will not accept it, say
ing that a fund ought to be raised to
help him along Neasch. it is said, was
sent here from Emporia after fund
of SIS had been raised for him by
ministers and others, besides a ticket
having been furnished him.
He thinks that the people of Topeka
should do likewise, and his philosophy
is that the world owes him a living 1t
is because of this that Police Chief
Eaton thinks that he should be cared
for by the charitable institutions some
where, and not allowed to further his
imposition on the people. That Shawnee
county should be as much to the front
in stopping the unsystematic policy
which prevails as any place else, is
generally conceded.