The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1905-1910, 1910-10-25
uTTLEL LAD FROM
CRAB ORCHARD
A PATHETIC CASE WHEN HE
WENT TO ORPHANS HOME
AT LOUISVILLE.
(Courier-IournaLJ

Patrolmdn Tom O'Brien. the big good
naured guardian OF the law at the
Tenth street station to 6.year.old
| and Nashville train shortly after 9
and Nashville train shortl yafter .
O'Clock last night and seemed Devil.
dered by the maze OF tracks and the
shouts oi cabbies and the hurry. hurry
ct the crowd.
Yes. sir. Mr.. Policeman I'm Iinsmie
CHkerson and I am so glad you came
for me cause don't know which way
to 60. They said when lett Graf
Orchard I was going to the Orphans
| Home. where ! woL.i find a whole
lot Of nice little boys to play ball with.
Where Is this home?'
"Well, YOU just come along with me
sonny and Ill fix you up" replied the
blueCont Soon the little fellow was
taking his first automobile ride on the
way to the office Of Mai. Patrick
Ridge. Night Chief OF Police. where
| the arrangements were 10 be made
| for his transfer To the matrOn OF
Louisville Baptist Orphans Home,
| 1890 South First Street. In the ma
chine With Patrolman OBrien ana
his youthful charge were Patroimen
Otte and Joyce. and very shortly tue
lad was telling them all about the ride
I I
first experience on railroad train.
The coming OF Jimmie Gtlkerson
was announced to Mai. Ridge early
last night in telegram from Graf
Orchard. ~ he had Patrolman O'Brien
to be- on the lookout for him. WhAn
the little fellow stepped from tue
| train h. was dressed In brown Rus
sian suit. with a little tan cap and
brown sandals. He carried a satchel
box and little bundle. In these
we're his clothes. lie also had a
heavy beaver coat hned With red
Saline. but the weather was not cold
enough for its use.
When the boy was brought into the-
Night Chiers office jimmie drew up
close to MAI. Ridge and said: They
TOLD me not to pay any attention to
| any body but man with brass buttons
on. You got more than any OF these
others, so I am going to stay by YOU
Nor could Charles II. Martin seore-
tary OF the school board, who Happen
ed TO be in the office at the time,
induce him to 20 out and buy some
bananas until Maj. Ridge said that
would be all right Tor him to go.
| When Mr.. Martin had purchased the
bananas, the child reached into his
pocket and drew out a quarter which
he offered in payment Tor the fruit.
lint this was refused ana he was told
that he must save his money until he
got out to the home.
Tucked securely on the inside OF
Jimmies pocket Was wallet contain
ing several papers that told his little
story James Nelson Lesley was born
M Crab Orchard six years ago but his
parents died shortly after has birth.
There was no one to take charge oil
the little orphan but his mothers
uncle. {. 4. Gilkerson. who was then
G. wears OF age. But the aged man
adopted the tad and reared him as
his own. Age caused the old man to
IelInauish his charge and the Baptist
church secured MS admission TO the
| Louisville Baptist orphanage ana
armed with a ply sicians certlncate
OF his good health. he gamely set out
for Louisville.
The most pathetic feature OF the
whole case was letter from his
adopted father TO Miss Mary +. Aber'
crombie. superintendent OF the house.
II read
My dear Madam Now that my
darling Jimmie is to enter your home
feel near to YOU, also. You are TO
have the raising oil him. because am
no longer able TO give him all that |
should. lie is a homeless child and
soon am to pass away and leave
him friendless. But | know that he
is TO be well taken care OF and | am
happy. You win find that he Ia
DecuIiar child very aftectlonate and
overly anxious TO please those about
him. For the first few days keep him
CLOSE to you and mother him so that
ne will forget his new surroundings
ana get use to his new home. Hoping
that God will bless you and that my
Jimmie will grow up to be good and
brave man, | am.