The Fannie Bolton Story

Emma J. Crisler to Cora F. Thurber, July 18, 1949

Because Miss Fannie Bolton had been associated with Clarence C. Crisler and Minnie Hawkins-Crisler in Sister White’s work we took more than usual interest in her when she came to Orlando. Having been with [the] Crislers, it was natural for her to look us up when she arrived. I was too young to be with her much, but we tried to befriend her. FBS 120.6

I am not certain of the date, but believe in 1917 LeRoy helped her get located in what was our first little church building and later used as our church school building until it was transferred out near the Sanitarium. FBS 120.7

One day we received a hurry call from Mr. Jump (a laundryman next to her), saying she had a fire and to come and get her. We knew she had not been a loyal Adventist, but the man thought she was one of ours and our responsibility. We took our car and brought her out to the Sanitarium, for she was ill. Took all her laundry to our house and did it up and I gave her gowns to lie in San. until strong enough to get out, then when she found we had cared for her belongings and for her, she was overcome and quite repentant. As I recall this I am quite certain this was 1918. FBS 121.1

My husband made arrangements to have her cared for in San. and wrote to Elder A. G. Daniells, who knew her and of her work. He felt she was entitled to sustentation and I believe recommended it. Early one morning she walked over to our home and aroused us saying she could not take aid for she had done wrong and that it would be like taking “Hush money.” We tried to calm her and assure her that we all loved her. FBS 121.2

Later she moved into a small house out on Orange Avenue. Again we received a call to go try to do something for her. This time it was a cold or flu and she was quite ill. Placed her in San. for treatments and they later gave her a little cottage and asked her to remain there for life. This was the time she had flighty spells and did peculiar things. She wanted to entertain the patients and helpers and persuaded part of a circus or someone with donkeys to bring them on the grounds with the best of intentions. Soon after this she went down town and gave a public speech in Eola Park, where they still have the open Forums. At this time someone called an officer and he took her in charge and had a city physician examine her. This Dr. Spiers intended sending her to Chattahoochee. As soon as LeRoy was notified he went to the officer and asked that she not be placed in jail until arrangements could be made to place her in an institution. They consented, and we got Brother and Sister George Thomas to care for her. FBS 121.3

Miss Bolton immediately notified some people with whom she had lived in Michigan. This man came down, packed and took all of her things back with him and took custody of her, but later had to take her to Kalamazoo, Michigan where I understand she died. She may possibly have been placed there first, and then he took her out. I rather think this is so. I do not know the date of her death, but Mr. Gore, who was a patient says it was 1922 according to his records when he and she were in the Florida Sanitarium and that she lost her mind at that time. FBS 121.4

His sister and Miss Bolton were girls together in Battle Creek. He says his sister was born in 1859 and Fannie in 1860, and that she was an unusually brilliant girl. Kalamazoo might possibly have exact date of her death and might also have record of the man who cared for her and had to return her to the institution. FBS 121.5

While in the Sanitarium, I persuaded her to use her poems and artistic ability in compiling a book of her choice poems and songs which I told her would make her independent. This she wanted to do if I would help her. We started work on it and she asked me to take all her poems and scrap books over to my home and they were to be mine anyway, she said, and I could have the book finished and use it in my missionary work if anything happened to her. This I did not do, but have hoped someone compiled it since. There were some very lovely verses and she was an artist. I later regretted I did not take them as she requested. FBS 121.6

When writing to someone in the West, I will inquire if they recall more accurate information. FBS 121.7