India May was born June 9, 1911 in a small town in Oklahoma. The mother was the daughter of a minister and India May had no father. Before arriving in Topeka, Kansas, mother and daughter were residing with a school principal in Oklahoma City. When the principal got sick and she decided to go to a spring, the mother and child were left without a home. They made their way up to Topeka on January 5 to find a relative of India's father. The relative refused to aid them so the mother sought out other help.
She first went to the Orphan's Home, but was turned away because she could not afford the cost there. The Orphan's Home was established in 1888 in a building at 3rd and Fillmore. The orphanage closed in 1947 and the building was gifted to the Capper Foundation. It was later learned that the mother was offered $4 a week to work in the kitchen to pay for the placement, but refused. The mother then went to the Provident Association. The Provident Association was started in 1904 to help people affected by the 1903 flood. It was located in a brick building at 4th & Jackson streets. It would later become Family Service and Guidance Center. However, they had no room to place India May. In desperation, the mother and child came to the office of Dr. Harding.
Dr. Harding and the mother chose a couple late in the afternoon of the 8th. Of the more than a hundred people who were interested in India May, Mr. and Mrs. John R. Graham were selected. "We are tickled to death to get her," Mrs. Graham said. John Graham worked for the Charles Wolff Packing Company as a trimmer and owned a home at 112 Fillmore Street. The Grahams did not any children of their own. "Nothing will be too good for the child," said Mr. Graham.
