The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-06-18

LEAVES MOTHER
FOR new HOME
Walter Mckee, Tagged and
Entrusted to Railroad En-
ployes, Starts Alone to Cal
ifOrnia Friends.
Child Leaves Invalid Mother
Who Gave Him Up Only
When Unable to Make a
Home.

Happy and pleased at the prospect
of long train ride, Walter Mckee,
aged five years, boarded a Pennsylva-
mia train for Chicago this morning,
which is to take him on the first lap
of his long trip to Los Angeles. Be
hind him he leaves an invalid mother,
an aching heart, and big vacant place
in the home.
The brave child, who is taking the
three-thOusand- mile trip alone to make
his home with kind d-hearted friends,
did not realize the mother-love that
reached out after him. Miss Florence
BenINr, visiting nurse, found the child
IN d home without the presence of the
father, and with a mother unable to
lift her hands to care for herself, let
alone making living for the bright
little chap. She interested friends in
the child. and raised the money with
which to send him to a Los Angeles
family.
Miss Benner and C. w. Elmer, ticket
Rgent, took the boy on the train, and
the boys grandfather Mr.. Griffin, ac-
COmpanied him in the coach which
only remained in the station two min
LteS.
interests Passengers.
AS soon as the boy entered the train
passengers took notice of him, and Mr..
Elmer said the only fear he has for
the boy is that he will be treated so
well that he will be made ill., The
chair car in which the boy started,
was crowded with Chicago bound pas
sengers, who, already tired of their
journey, took the boy in charge before
he was many miles from Richmond.
On the child's necktie was a small
card resembling a baggage tag. 1t
read:
To Employees Of railroad enroute:
This is Walter Mckee, aged
five, who is making the trip to Los
Angeles alone to hake his home
with friends there. Any kindness
shown him will be appreciated by
his invalid NOther.'
Mr.. Elmer telegraphed the Chi
CagO station that the boy would arrive
On No. 10, and a,5ked that he be met
there and place. on the Santa Fe train,
"The Touris,,' on which the trip will
be completed. Miss Benner sent a tel
egram to Mrs. Fraak Cook at Los An
geles, with WHOM the boy will make
his home, that he had started.
Miss Benner does not faar for the
boys safety whatever. She believes it
will taken only a short time for the
through passengers on the Santa Fe
train to learn the boys story, and after
that he will be assisted in every way.
Loves Miss Benner.
In spite of his youth, the boy seemed
70 appreciate the attention Miss Ben
ner has given him Itace she first took
an interest in him. He bid her fare
we'll affectiOnately
The money for the ticket was made
up last night and this morning, the
Associated Charities and the township
trustees contributing part. He had
money in his pocket which he will
give to porters for his meals. The
tickets were placed in an envelOp. with
instructions and postal cards which
are to be mailed enrOute, reporting any
incidents of the trip.
Miss Benner wishes to thank the
Associated Charities, the township
trustee, the Penny club, the Tuesday
Afternoon Bridge club, Mrs. ]. w
Lamson and Mr.. Roach for the assist
ance they have given in the prepara
tions for the trip, and in securing the
funds for the ticket.