The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-22
Infants Life, Found in Topeka,
Now an Uncertainty.
MOTHER HAS DISAPPEARED
"UncIe" Donated SIS and Baby
to a Family of Children.
Then Head of Family Was
Killed in House Moving.

Deserted by its parents and reduced
to a mere skeleton through lack of
proper nourishment a ten-day-old
baby was brought before Hugh Mac
Farland, judge of the probate court,
today Tempora rily. at least, it will
have good care in the hands of Anna
M. Langley, who took it from fam
lily of children who were making a
pIaything of it, but the little infants
future is shrouded in uncertainty.
The mother left Topeka last night
in company with three other children
and a man, Joseph Grub, who claimed
to be an uncle of the child. Even
then the mother had not seen the
child since the day after its birth.
About three weeks ago the man
who gave his name as Joseph Grub
applied at the home of Henry Hoefler
a woman and three children.
The woman and children ar
rived and a week ago last Saturday
the woman gave birth to twins-two
boys. One died. The living child
was taken away by Grub. No one ap-
dren. The three older children called
themselves "BIatz."
Soon after the birth of the child
Grub took it to the home of Jack
Slevins near the corner of Taylor and
Grant street in North Topeka and
made arrangements for its care. He
stated at that time that he was the
child's uncle and that he would pay
SIS a month for its maintenance Al
though the Slevinses had a family of
seven children they agreed to take the
child.
Made PIaything of 1t.
Kilmaurs King said today that last
Sunday the Slevins children had the
tiny baby out in the wind and dust on
the sidewalk, playing with it like they
MI h n 1at n
While helping move a house in.
North Topeka yesterday Slevins was
killed. Then Anna NJ. Langley of 625
Grant street, stepped in and asked to
take care of the baby. Because of the
death of the husband and father the
child was turned over to her and she
started efforts to make some perma-
nent provision for it. One of the first
things she discovered was that the
mother, children and alleged uncle,
had left town. Inquiries at the Hoefler
residence disclosed the fact that last
night while the family was away all
the people who could shed any light
on the little baby disappeared.
Had Only Nightgown.
When the baby was placed under
the care of Mrs. Slevins it wore only
skinny little night dress. No other
clothing was furnished. The alleged
uncle told Mrs. Slevins nothing about
the child's parents and did not give
her its name. 1t was Mrs. Langley
who found that the children in the
family called themselves BIatz. No
one appears to know where the Blatz
woman and children came from nor
where they have gone.
The baby is deserted and but for
the Intervention of Anna Langley
would be in a bad way
Poor little fellow said Judge Mac
Farland as he held back the covering
and peeped at the babe, '.he hasn't
had half a chance. Ordinary punish
ment is too good for people who will
desert an innocent baby like that little
fellow
Mrs. Langley has a daughter who is
the mother of a hree-months-oId
| baby and she has supplied the un-
known child with dresses and other
I baby togs from the wardrobe of her
| little one. Judge MacFarland request
| ed Mrs. Langley to keep the child and
| care for it until an investigation could
| be made. Unless the parents are
| found or unless someone cares to
adopt it the probabilities are the
! child's future lies within the walls OF
/ an orphans home