The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-09
new GRIP ON LIFE
Free City Soup Line REEVES
Spirits of the Poor.
Scores Took Advantage OF
Mayors Hospitality Today.
CAME In FAMILIES.
lot Broth Into Chilled and
Empty StOmachs.
First Day Of Soup to Needy is
Big Success.
CAME In FAMILIES.

Men. women and children took ad-
fantage of the generosity OF Mayor
Billiard today and flocked to the
apartments of the police matron d
HEADQUARTERS station. Fifth ana JACK
son streets, where a free soup line was
conducted At , o'clock this afternoon
when the fires in the ranges were
turned out the matron and her assist
ants had served soup to scores Oh tils
poor and needy in the city
Although the first day of the soup
line did not draw as many of the poor
as expected on account of the moaeI-
alton of the weather. it is believed oS
the police matron and by Mayor Bil-
lard that before the week is over hun
dreds viii flock to the ponce stal -..il
and receive their free not broth Win
crackers and bread. =,
Tomorrow the soup line VIII pe
crowded, believe the persons IN cnaIse.
Before many days the poor VIII Know
hat a meal is waiting for them anu
they will visit the station IN 1aHlli-es
and droves-
Whole families stood around the big
able at the police station this morn
ing and early afternoon, eatng inc
SOUP and bread and crackers. LABOR
ing men who have been earning tneif
lodging working at odd jobs and peg
ging a place to sleep lined up around
the counters and relished the first not
food they had given to their stomachs
in days. Old men hobbled up lne
stairs and sat down exhausted on the
scattered benches as the assistants
brought them soup.
If the stingfest and most hard heart
ed man in Topeka could have seen the
persons that stood in the soup line
today he would rush frantically to
Mayor Billiard and donate every cent
in his pockets for the good Of the
kause.
Children There Also.
why We have had men, women
and children-and even babies up |
here" said Mrs. Della Sayre, the po- |
lice matron, this afternoon. The |
poorer classes in the city haven't real |
lied yet that we really have started |
something for their benefit-some- !
thing for them that they will receive |
without begging. / know that this /
aouD dinner in a few days viii keep |
us busy every minute of the time. The
persons here today viii spread the !
newsstand the people who could not |
believe their eyes when they saw 1t IN |
the paper last night will come and see
If it is true"
one family of man, woman and |
three children entered the soup line
this noon. The five were haggard,
scantily clad and dropped. Their
cheeks and eyes gave no hint OF good
food or good sleep or comfort. Tears
nearly came to the eyes of visitors to
the police station. as they saw the
family hover together and devour the
soup and bread and crackers. They |
stood closely together with the father
on one side and the mother on the
0ther-as animals would protect and |
keep warm their young. They could |
not wait until their soup cooled and |
burned their tongues and mouths
but It was the happiest and most well
come pain they had received in weeks
One shaggy looking man stepped up
IN line, took his bowl Of soup and tip
ped it to his lips. AS hot as it was he
poured it down his throat and smackad
ais lips.
Say" he said to an assistant, Il
Used to think that whisky revived a
guy when he was down and out I used
20 spend every cent for booze-I
thought it would keep me warm and
stop my hunger. But let me tell you
light now''-and he raised his voice so
III could hear, Il swear that nothing is
batter than good hot bowl of beef
soup, just like this"
And he tipped the bowl far above his
1Ostrils and the rim creased his fore
lead.
Three small boys entered with life
ess eyes and istless step They bash
'ully accepted their soup and ravenous- .
y poured it into their months. Another :