The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-04
''JITNEYS DID IT."
Girl, Life Wrecked, Is Placed
in County Jail.
Pretty, but Diseased, She Re:
penis for Her Wrongs.
FATHER and MOTHER COMPL lain
Through Their Efforts, Daugh-
ter Placed Behind the Bars.
Many Men in Topeka Are Con-
cerned in Her Case.
and MOTHER COMPL

Six months travel over the prim-
rose path led her to the county Jail.
| There were warning signs along the
path and they told her where she was
going. But she didn't believe in signs.
She romped along with the fine dis
respect of seventeen years for warn
| ings and signs Thursday night the
flower lined path made a sudden turn
and she faced the open doors of the
county jail She couldn't go back for
there was an officer behind her block
| ing the way. She went ahead And
| last night was her first in Jail
This girl-nameless for the present
comes from a good family. She has
been employed in a down town store
IN a responsible position. Six months
ago her parents found her trouble
some. She had stepped out of child
hood and began telling her father end
mother to get off and on. She abused
quarreled with the whole family. She
began staying out at night despite all
restraints placed upon her by her par
ents.
Not more than three weeks ago her
father appealed to w. E. Atchison,
| county attorney.
| shes my daughter" he said, but
l can't stand her ways any longer. She
! is driving her mother frantic. She is
| abusing her younger brothers and sis
/
| half the night, then comes in and
keeps up a rumpus until morning. No
| one about the place can get any rest.
| She's running around with all kinds of
men-married and single. 1 am satis-
| fled she is suffering from an obnoxious
| disease and 1 am afraid to have her
| around the house. It's hard thing to
! do, but I want her to leave my home.
And if she doesn't leave I want her
arrested. Something must be done"
Atchison Talked to Her.
Mr.. Atchison called the girl up by
| telephone. He told her what her faith
| er had said. The girl came as near
scratching and clawing the county at
torney as was possible over half a mile
| of wire, but she agreed to leave.
| The court house forgot her for a
| few days. Next her case secured some
public notice through the city board
| of health. Some one had traced a
case of a loathsome disease to her
| In a few days there were others. Then
| there was a regular procession of pa
tents visiting physicians who COM
planned of her. The city board of
health discussed her as the scarlet
| woman" and talked Of placing a ban
upon her. But it didn't She con-
tinued along the path she had chosen
and she continued to stay at home.
Yesterday the mother could stand
| it no longer. She complained to the
| county attorney ana a warrant was
| issued for the girl. No. she wasn't
| charged with any of the more serious
offenses charged by the father and
mother and of which county officers
have knowledge. She was merely
charged with disturbing the peace.
She was taken to Jail on that charge.
Tasler Gave a Lecture.
Robert Tasker. acting deputy
sheriff, arrested her. Tasker isn't an
ord oir Cd iSfa h1If no ri ad n
that girl. The fact that there were
some words in the Sc rmon no preacher
would use in the pulpit did not detract
from it's forcefulness. He left the girl
at the jail in tears-something her
own parents have not been able to do
since the girl began her rampage.
Girl said Tasker. 81 just talked
with your mother. 1 have looked at
your home and your little brothers
and sisters. You ought to be ashamed
| of yourself You think you have been
having the time of your life. You
think there is a whole procession OF
men crazy about you. Don't you know
those men do not care a rap about
what happens to you? Not one of
them will come down here and get you
out of Jail.
LAS a matter of fact they're trying
to forget they ever knew you. Most of
them are paying doctor bills and
everyone of them deserved what ne
6OA- W 1S just d CIillN 1Hey are
grown men. You-a seventeen-year-
old girl-are wrecking your life and
that of your father and mother with
no reward in sight except a short life
time of trouble and suffering Quit il
girl and when you get out of here. get
Q job, as you can with your good
looks, and walk straight
She Blamcs the Jitneys.
Before Tasker was half through the
girl was weeping. her face in her
hands.
1T was the jitneys that did it,
she walled. Il was all right until 1
} went out in a jitney with man.
She didn't explain TO what extent
the jitneys had contributed to her
downfall but she continued to COM
plain of them. Back of that single
statement made by the girl may lie a
story that would at least mitigate the
girls conduct for the last six months
But If she does not choose to tell it.
1t Will remain untold. The man isn't
going to tell. And If she does tell she
, will still bear all the brunt That's the