The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-12
Found at Rock Island Station by
Depot Master.
Mother Sent Infant With Sister
to Topeka.
ONLY FEW HOURS OLD.
Born at Clay Center Hotel Last
Night.
Taken to Orphans Home But
Refused Admission.

An infant boy was found in a basket
at the Rock Island depot this morning,
apparently deserted by the mother. 1t
developed that the sister of the mother
had brought the baby here to be taken
into the Orphans Home. The mother
is Pearl Lorei, is years old, employed
at the Commercial hotel, Clay Center
Her sister, Tillie Lorei, II years old,
brought the baby to Topeka, at the in
stigation Of the mother, Mr.. Van,
proprietor of the hotel, and the doctor
who attended the birth. According to
the sister, the baby was born at IL
last night.
Following her instructions she took
il to the Orphans Home. Here she was
referred to Mrs. George Anthony, presi-
dent Of the home. Mrs. Anthony says
the girl came to her, but would tell
her only that the infants mother was
named Smith, who lived in Clay Center,
and wanted her child taken into the
home More than this she would not
tell, and he president refused to take
the baby without more information
About neon the BABY vas found at
the Rock Island depot in a basket by
William Cartwright, station master
Tt was naked except for a cloth wrap
ped around it.
Mr.. Courtwright notified the police
and also described a girl who had been
seen around the depot and VINO hao
acted suspiciously.
The girl answering this description
was found a little later, watching the
circus parade. She told the ponce IndI
she had brought the baby TO 4OpeAd
to be adopted into the Orphans Home
but that the home authorities refused
to take it unless it was accompanied
by $40.
Lorei is the mother of the baby, and
that il was born at the Commercial
hotel, Clay Center, at IL O'Clock last
night. Her sister claims that Russell
Padgett, of Manhattan. horseman, IS
the father of the child The sist 9r
says that the mother, the doctor in
charge and a Mr.. Van, proprietor of the
hotel. urged that she take the infant to
Topeka and place it in an orphans
home, without letting the mothers par
ents know anything about the case.
The LOreis formerly lived 1t Ran
dolph, but about ten years ago moved
to Stockdale, about sixteen miles nOrtA
of Manhattan. The past year the moth
err has worked for Mrs. Dougerty, sister
Of Padgett in Manhattan. It is claim
ed that while here Padgett mistreated
the girl who last night became
mother.
TiIie Lorei. who is II years old,
states that she did not intend to aban-
don the baby, but left it in the basket
so she could see the circus parade. She
says that Van bought her ticket for To-
peka.
The authorities are holding the girl.
and the Provident association is taking
care Of the baby pending word from
Clay Center. If it is not taken into the
orphanage home, the young aunt and
her nephew will be sent back to the
mother at Clay Center.
The baby in question is said to be
healthy and perfect in every respect.
Mrs. Anthony says that it was lack
of Information and not lack of money
that induced her to refuse the baby,
and that there are no charges for
adopting a baby into the home.