Kansas Charley and Brother Fred
Running Away and a Guarding Angel
Aug 21, 2006 Mary Trotter Kion
Charley Miller worked hard, or was worked hard, at the Booth's farm in Minnesota. But this was not unusual. All farm boys, orphans or not, worked hard. Surely most, also, received no wages except the meals they ate, the clothes they wore, and a dry roof over their bed. In this, Kansas Charlie's situation was not unusual or different from other farm boys. The problem was, besides missing his brothers Charley just did not like farm work. It wasn't a sin, though there were surely those that considered it so. In today's vernacular, it just wasn't Charley Miller's thing. But Charley was determined to do something about his disagreeable situation.
Dear Fred
Whether in secret or known, Charley wrote to his brother Fred who was still secure in his adopted home in Kansas. He related to his brother how he felt he was being mistreated and poorly clothed. He wrote that he would like to come and stay with Fred in Leonardville, Kansas. Evidently, at first Fred's new family, the Loofbourrows, did not know what to think of Charlie's letter. But the complaining letters kept coming.
A Local Guarding Angel
During the winter of 1888, Charley, now thirteen, managed to attend school for two months. He found his guarding angel, whose name is now unknown, in the person of his young female teacher. Somehow he convinced her of his dire situation with the Booths. Perhaps he showed her the marks of the beatings he had received. Taking sympathy on the boy, the teacher wrote several letters on Charlie's behalf to the Loofbourrows of Kansas where Fred lived.
Charley Runs Away
Finally, the Loofbourrows contacted the Children's Aid Society in New York City to see what could be done for Charley. In the meantime, Charley ran away from the Booths at least twice. On one occasion, he sought refuge at his teacher's house but an older daughter of the Booths saw him and reported his whereabouts to her parents. The incident, once they were out of earshot of the teacher, caused Mr. Booth to suggest that they tie Charley "to a tree and cowhide" him if Charley did not agree to return with them to the Booth farm.
A few days later Mr. Booth received a letter from the Children's Aid Society telling him he could not hold Charley against his will.
Kansas Charley and His Brother Fred: Running Away and a Guarding Angel , continues with Kansas Charley on His Own: Kansas Here He Comes
Previous: Kansas Charley and the Orphan Train: New Home, Old Work, No Wages.
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