The Washington times., 1919-06-01


1t was not until q new warden was
assigned to the prison that the whip
ping post was abolished.
On January >, 1914, budding left the
prison a free. but physically broken
down man. He borrowed $500, and
within a week went out on the road
armed with a stock of samples and
with energy and enthusiasm enough
to carry the most degenerated man to
success OF his experiences and his
struggles with a prejudiced world,
budding says:
-Four months later had to return
home, broken in spirit, a failure, an
Cutcast among my old acquaintance.
Ny money was gone, my nerves were
shattered, my hopes had vanished. II
seemed as if everybody was against
me. For hours at a stretch 1 would
lose myself in morbid thoughts,
standing on a street corner, uncon-
scious of the passersby and the
throngs that stood to stare at me.
Zone Sunday afternoon. feeling ut
terly beaten, almost longing for the
apathetic life of prison, which at
least was secluded, the idea came to
me that there were hundreds, thou
sands Of men in just the same posi-
tion-men who wanted to make good
but, finding the struggle too hard,
easily slipped back into the ranks of
the unclaimed.
Founded Relief Society.
my mind was set on founding the
Prisoners Relief Society to help those
who were in my plight. did not
want to slip into a life of crime and
I believed that most other so-called
criminals felt as 1 did. ] immedi-
ately conferred with eight men of
high standing in Huntington and
with $14 borrowed money we applied
for a charter in the State of West
Virginia. Thus was the Prisoners
Relief Society launched"
For FIVE years budding worked, the
society being transferred in the mean
time to Washington, where it now oc-
cupies the entire building at 500 L
street northwest. Letha Watts, the
first secretary. a devoted young wom-
an, died, and her dying wish was that
Miss Evalyn Abbott, then one Of her
assistants, succeed her as secretary.
Secretary Shared SOrrOws.
For years Miss Abbott has worked
faithfully side by side with DR.. Dud-
ding, sharing his sorrows and his joys
in helping prisoners. And now they
are to be married.
81 don't see how Miss Abbott can
love me-" ne said yesterday, but we
are doing this for the sake OF the
work we are carrying on"
But Miss Abbott doesn't think so.
Speaking OF him, she says:
THE story of his loneliness tells
why have been his friend, and be-
lieve that you will agree with me that
he needed a friend. Earl budding is
a man who has suffered as few men
before him have suffered"
And now the two. who are to be
married within thirty days, are look
ing forward to the time when they
will be able to help thousands IF
ex-convicts every day, where now
they are aiding only a few, because
of the lack of funds.
No LuxurieS To Follow.
When she is married to DR.. Dud-
ding, Miss Abbott will not be intro
duced to a sumptuous apartment. with
luXuries and pomp. She will remain
right in the building where her hus-
band-to-be makes his home and she
will share the privations he does. II
is also probable that he will continue
to do the cooking as he does now.
For ii is a hard task the two have
before them, but they have set their
faces to the sky, whence cometh help
and encouragement. Thousands of
prisoners have been aided by thess
two devoted people in starting life
over again.
But anyone can see" said the doc
tor, that we need money IL we arc
to continue our work They come
here and ask us for jobs. We have
to write letters, thousands of them,
to responsible firms and we place
them in most instances.
Need More Funds.
But last night pile Of 500 letters
didn't go out because we didn't have
the money to pay for postage.
Then VIC need money to care for
these men while they are here. They
need clothes and place to sleep
while they are here"
1t turned out as DR.. budding was
telling the story of his struggle to
keep the society going, that he had
given his best suit to one of these
men and that a half a dozen Of these
ex-conviCts had spent the night on the
floor OF the office, for lack Of other
accommodations.
In most cases the society is able to
secure free transportation for the men
IN sending them out 10 their newly
found Jobs The clerical work is done
by girls who are studying Stenography
and typewriting at Washington BUSH
ness schools. They come in and for
the privilege Of practicing speed on
machines furnished free by type
writer manufacturing company, write
the society's letters.
Praised by Rotary Club.
nc society has been, on several &C
rasiona, investigated by other orEani-
cations. among them the Rotary Club
Tho report Of the club says, in part:
The patient perseverance Of DR.. Dud-
ding in the face Of tremendous oppo-
srtion is marvellous, and deserves not
~rlv the support, but the admiration
Of all"
As stated before. DR.. budding and
Miss Abbott are to be married only
for the sake Of the work they have
been carrying on. And they hope that
by this union the organization VIII
gain in greater effort and that a be-
ginning will be made to put it on
sound business basis.
They are hoping that their many
friends and supporters will make gen
erous contributions 10 the funds of the
society and thus help along the work
they are doing. This is the only
wedding gift they will accept.