Society for the Friendless, an organization for the care of discharged prisoners and for the moral and religious education of prisoners within penitentiaries, was first organized in Kansas in 1901 by Rev. E. A. Fredenhagen and Mrs. Fredenhagen, with headquarters at Topeka. Through the untiring efforts of its founders the society soon spread to adjoining states, including Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri, Idaho and Washington, and subsequently became national in its scope. In 1908 the central office was moved from Topeka to Kansas City. In Jan., 1910, the first national convention was held at Kansas City. While the society is interested in many phases of philanthropic service and in reform legislation, its chief work is the care of prisoners who leave the penitentiaries and are placed in positions of self-support, the relief of families of those serving sentences, and in the formation of leagues within prisons for the promotion of Christian life among the prisoners. The territory is divided into districts, each with a district superintendent. A temporary home for men was established at Topeka, but was moved to Kansas City, Kan., in which men are cared for until the employment department finds positions for them. Many of the prominent statesmen and philanthropists of the country are connected with the society as directors and supporters of the movement.