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June 20, 1908 SHE'S AS COLD AS STONE.
Hugh Hyromus Says He Is Unable to Warm His Wife.
Hugh and Lizzie Hyromus were married on November 29, 1908. Yesterday Mr. Hyrmus filed suit, through his attorney, Samuel Miller, for divorce charging his wife with having a mania for staying out nights attending parties and dances . She is also charged with being possessed with a temper that she cannot control. In Mr. Hyroums's petition he alleges:
"When not from home and not giving vent to her temper she sits in my company, but is as mute and cold as a statue of stone . The treatment thus received by the plaintiff from the defendant renders his life miserable in the extreme and causes him to suffer almost constant mental pain and anguish, and by his constant fretting has impaired him physically and filled his home with sorrow and gloom instead of mirth and sunshine; that he has exhausted his persuasive powers in attempting to change career, but all words of kindness had no more effect on her than the few drops of water from a passing cloud would have upon the sands of a desert.
The plaintiff asks for and disillusion decree of divorce and the custody of their 19-months-old child.Labels: custody, Divorce June 11, 1908 HE ABUSED MAYOR'S PARDON.
B. F. Scott Said to Have Beaten Wife on Day of His Release.
Several days ago Mayor Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., pardoned from the workhouse a man named B. F. Scott. Scott had been sent there May 5 to serve out a $500 fine -- one year -- for abusing his wife.
According to F. E. McCrary, Humane agent, the minute Scott was released he began a search for his wife. Finding her at 2811 North Freeman avenue, Kansas City, Kas., Scott is reported to have immediately raised trouble. He is said to have whipped his wife and assaulted Miss Daisy Rody, his niece. Both the wife and niece are reported to have been severely bruised and beaten. Then Scott, so it is said, grabbed his infant child and fled.
Yesterday afternoon Andrew Cole, a Humane officer from this side, went to Kansas City, Kas., and with W. W. Lacy, a truant officer, arrested Scott. They say he will not tell what became of the child. He was arrested at the wife's home, and the officers said she begged that he not be harmed.Labels: children, custody, domestic violence, Humane Society, Kansas City Kas, Mayor Crittenden, workhouse May 23, 1908 MATHIAS IS GUARDIAN OF MANY SMALL DOES.
PROBATION OFFICER HAS AN- OTHER ADDED TO HIS FAMILY.
Girl Who Played Piano for a Ghost Show Is Also in the Juvenile Court Because She's So Nervous.
It would take Dr. E. L Mathias several hours to figure how many miniature John Does and Mary Roes he is the guardian of. And he won't figure the total, but merely tells reports to "cut it out."
Every time a woman brings a foundling into the children's court Judge H. L. McCune, after making some disposition of the child, either leaving it with the foster mother or sending it to the county nursery, appoints Dr Mathias guardian. He got another one yesterday.
An attendant at the McKenzie nursery at 1607 East Ninth street brought the baby into court. It slept serenely, while Judge McCune looked it over and remarked judicially:
"Very pretty baby. Where did you get it?"
"She was left at the nursery along with this letter," replied the attendant, handing the judge a note.
"Andrew, eh? A miss, did you say it was? All right" -- turning to the clerk -- "change the young lady's name from Doe to Andrews. Make her a ward of the court. Dr. Mathias is appointed the guardian. The nursery may keep the -- Miss Andrews as long as the attendants are kind to her."
Then Dr. Mathias did a gallant thing. He gave the baby Christian names in honor of the women of the court: "Helen Agnes Andrews" -- Helen for Mrs. Helen Smith, and Agnes for Mrs. Agnes O'Dell.
"I wonder if that means that Mrs. O'Dell and I will have to buy the Doe baby its clothes," Mrs. Smith whispered.
Mrs. O'Dell followed the nurse and child to the door and gave the baby a farewell pat.
"What color are its eyes?" she asked. "I ought to know, now that she's named after me."
"They're blue yet," replied the nurse.
SHE PLAYED PIANO IN THE GHOST SHOW.
It looked like a story when a girl's mother said she ran away from home rather than take music lessons, and once had climbed on the roof of the house to hide from the music teacher. The reporters had the name and address written down, when "Mother" O'Dell, probation officer, sent this note:
"Ina is a good girl. You must not print her name or address."
There is a touch of sadness in the girl's story, too. Her father left home recently, and as there were five littler ones for her mother to support, Ina remembered her music lessons and went to work as a piano player at the ghost show at Fairmount park. She didn't come home one night, and her mother had her brought into court. She is 16 years old.
"She's a good girl, only she gets nervous," said the mother.
"I'd get nervous myself if I played a piano in a ghost show. Stay away from the park, my girl, and we'll get you a better place to work."Labels: children, courtroom, custody, doctors, fairmount park, Judge McCune, mental health, Ninth street April 25, 1908 HE'LL LEAVE HER HIS MONEY.
Rich August Muller Wants to Adopt a Neighbor's Child.
August Muller, Seventh street and Northrup avenue, Kansas City, Kas., created some little stir in the Wyandotte probate court room yesterday forenoon, when he appeared there leading Helen Ries, 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Ries of the same vicinity, by the hand, declaring that he would adopt her for the sole purpose of leaving his money and property to her. Muller is considered wealthy. He is now, he said, advanced in years and himself and wife are lonely for younger company. Ries, he has known since childhood and Helen played on his knee when but a baby. Both Reis and Muller are well known in Kansas City, Kas. The court will investigate further.Labels: custody, Kansas City Kas, probate April 22, 1908 MRS. SCOTT FINDS HER LOST DAUGHTER.
SHE IS MARRIED AND LIVES IN SALT LAKE CITY.
W. W. Williams, Husband of the Young Woman, Calls on the Mother and Sets Her Yearnings at Rest.
One woman was made happy in Kansas City yesterday. That woman was Mrs. Florence Scott, 1303 Wabash avenue, who for ten years has made a fruitless search for her daughter, Susie, given away in 1898. If all goes well she will in a few days see her daughter, now 17 years old, alive, well and happily married.
W. W. Williams, a mining engineer of Salt Lake City, called to see Mrs. Scott yesterday. He said that he had seen in The Journal where Mrs. Scott was looking for her daughter, Susie, who had been given to Mr. and Mrs. R. L Martin, then supposed to be from Maryville, Mo.
"As soon as I read the story," said Mr. Williams, "I figured out that your lost daughter was y wife. I married her in Denver fourteen months ago. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. L . Martin."
Mrs. Scott was beside herself with joy at the news. Williams told her that the Martins had given Susie a good education and had always been kind to her. He said his wife, who was 7 years old when given to the Martins, recalled her mother, often spoke of her, but could not recall her name. This, it is presumed, her foster parents kept from her.
Williams also told Mrs. Scott that he had a good home in Salt Lake City and that he and his wife were happy. He is on his way to Chicago to attend to some business, but expects to return here soon. He wired his wife last night to come on here and meet him. He intends to surprise her by introducing her to her own mother. Williams told Mrs. Scott that he wanted her to get ready to go back and live with them. At present Mrs. Scott is working as nurse at the home of J. Baker, 1303 Wabash avenue.
It was by mere chance that Williams saw the story of Mrs. Scott's search for her daughter. Sitting in his hotel yesterday he picked up a week-old paper which contained the story. The name of R. L. Martin attracted his eye and he read the story through. He at once came to the conclusion that Susie Martin had once been Susie Scott, so he sought the distressed mother and broke the news to her. Mrs. Scott called up Mrs. Lizzie Burns, police matron, who has been assisting her, and told her the good news, saying: "I guess the long search is over." Mrs. Scott says no adoption papers were ever made out for her child.Labels: custody, Denver, police matron, The Journal, visitors, Wabash avenue April 22, 1908 BABY ADOPTED BY ACTRESS.
Iola, Kas., Woman's Child Given to Burlesque Performers.
Dorothy Evaline Mack is the name which the baby of Mrs. Emma Ingledue of Iola, Kas., will carry through life. The infant was yesterday adopted by Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Mack, who are here this week with the Trans-Atlantic Burlesquers at the Majestic theater. Last Friday Mrs. Ingledue left her baby with the police matron, Mrs. Joan Moran.
"I am too ill to care for her," she said. "I know that I could not give the child the advantages in life she deserves, I would rather some good couple had her."
"We only have two more weeks on the stage," said Mrs. Mack, "and then we will be back at our Philadelphia home. And by the way, that little home will soon be paid for. Next season I will stay at home and be mamma to Dorothy Evaline while J. C. Mack rustles around and makes a living for all three of us."
Mrs. Mack said that for three years she had been trying to adopt a baby.Labels: children, custody, police matron, theater, visitors April 19, 1908 A HOME FOR LITTLE "PAT".
Tracy Avenue Couple May Adopt the Little Foundling.
If everything goes well today a good home may be secured for the foundling who was discovered in a dark hallway at 584 Harrison street late on the night of March 17 and later christened "Little Pat" by Mrs. Lizzie Burns, police matron , in honor of St. Patrick's day.
Seeing in the news yesterday that a baby girl had been left with the matron for adoption Friday, Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Kelly of 1403 Tracy avenue, called to see the little one. They were told that it had been taken to the detention home and were just about to leave when Eugene Burns, a son of the matron said: "What's the matter with 'Little Pat?' Why can't you take him and adopt him? He's a boy, you know."
Mrs. Kelly said she thought that Patrick had long ago been given a home, but when informed that illness had kept him at St. Anthony's home, though now he had thoroughly recovered, she at once spoke for "Little Pat."
"Yes, Mrs. Kelly was out here with Eugene Burns," said Sister Cecilia at the home. "She is coming back tomorrow with her husband. It looks very much like Pat is to secure a good home at last."
Mr. Kelly is a traveling salesman. He and his wife have no children.Labels: children, custody, Harrison street, police matron, St Anthonys Home, Tracy avenue April 17, 1908
SEEKS CHILD SHE GAVE TO STRANGERS.
MRS. FLORENCE SCOTT ASKS POLICE TO HELP.
Ten years Ago She Placed 7-Year-Old Susie in Care of R. L. Martin and Wife, and Hasn't Seen Her Since.
The death of her husband ten years ago, followed by adverse circumstances, caused Mrs. Florence Scott, then living with her four children at 1823 1/2 Main street, to dispose of one of her children, Susie, who was then just 7 years old. Through Mrs. Mollie Lee, who was police matron at that time, the little girl was given to Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Martin, said to be from Maryville, Mo.
Mrs. Scott called yesterday on Mrs. Lizzie Burns, one of the present matrons. The mother love is strong in Mrs. Scott and she wants to see her daughter, who now should be 17 years old. She told Mrs. Burns of the struggle after her husband's death and how Mrs. Lee had advised her to dispose of one of the children.
"After I had agreed," said Mrs. Scott, "Mr. and Mrs. Martin were sent to see me. They took Susie away, and from that day to this I have never heard one word of her. No papers were signed by me, therefore she could not have been adopted."
Through her tears Mrs. Scott said yesterday that she did not intend to take Susie away from her present home. All she wanted was to see her child, saying she did not wish her daughter to be taken clear out of her life.
Soon after her little girl was taken from her Mrs. Scott wrote to Maryville, Mo., to "R. L. Martin," but her letter was returned unopened. Then she appealed to the chief of police, but said no effort was made to locate her offspring.
Some years later Mrs. Scott said she went to Mrs. Patti Moore who was police matron at that time. Mrs. Moore, she said, looked up the records for her and found that the child had been given to the Martins of Maryville, Mo., but further than that nothing was of record. Mrs. Moore gave Mrs. Scott a picture of her little girl which had been received from the Martins. The edges of the portrait, Mrs. Scott says, were torn off to destroy the name of the photographer or any information it might bear.
Still imbued with an insatiate desire to see her child, Mrs. Scott two years ago took the matter up with F. E. McCrary, then a juvenile court officer but now Humane agent. McCrary's investigations, she said, developed the same facts -- that the child had been given to the Martins of Maryville, Mo. She said, however, that she was told that McCrary had written and found that R. L. Martin was a restaurant keeper of Maryville. Taking heart anew she wrote a letter to the restaurant man but, like all the others, it was returned unopened. Mrs. Scott's desire to see her child at times becomes so great that it is almost a mania, causing her to lose sleep and worry greatly.
"It seems funny to me that the police cannot tell me where my little girl has gone," she said. "It looks very much like they have been holding back information from me for all these ten miserable years. The martins have no adoption papers and never have had. It is not my intention to try to take Susie from them. She is my baby, my own flesh and blood, and I only want to see her; to talk with her and see how she is getting on.
"All of my other children are now grown up and away from me, but I know where they are."
At present Mrs. Scott is living at the home of Mrs. J. Barker, 1303 Wabash avenue. This time she will make an extraordinary effort to find her now almost grown daughter.Labels: custody, Humane Society, Main street, police matron February 19, 1908 SAYS AN OUTLAW CARRIED OFF WIFE
AFTER HE HAD BURNED MECUM'S HOUSE AND BARN.
Now Mecum Is Trailing Them, Very Leisurely, in a Covered Wagon.
Esta Mecum and John Mellinger, each aged 12 years, were yesterday ordered detained by Judge H. L. McCune, sitting in the juvenile court, until homes can be found for them with relatives or others able to provide for them. This will enable Esta's father to continue the hunt for the boy's mother "and that there outlaw Tom Hopkins," as old man Mecum designated a former friend.
"He is an outlaw, is he?" inquired Judge McCune of the witness, Mecum, who was before the bar to explain why he was making the boy sell silver polish while he himself was buying beer.
"I think he is," said the rustic Sherlock Holmes. "I had 20 acres up in Michigan and he and my woman sat fire to the house and barn and said that the Indians had done it. Then he ran away with this boy's mother, and I set out to trial them."
"Indians up there?" Judge McCune inquired.
"There's a reservation; yes sir."
Sherlock's account of his trail was touching. He had been overhauled with a man named John Mellinger, father of a boy named likewise, the boy being then before the court.
"They tell me you and Mellinger were making these boys sell the silver polish while you and he drank up the proceeds. What is Mellinger to you?"
"Nothin' much, I kinder suspect him."
"More of your detective work?" the court asked.
"I reckon you'd call it that. He knows where my wife and Tom Hopkins are."
Humane officer McCrary said that if the ametuer detective would take a peep in the holdover, he would see his friend there, safe and sound, awaiting investigation.
The court took charge of the two boys until permanent homes can be found for them. Mecum said that he was a stone mason by trade but admitted he did not want a job -- "Not just now, anyway." He added, "I want to follow my wife and that outlaw, Tom Hopkins. They's gone north again."
He is following in a covered wagon. He explained that when Mrs. Mecum decamped she shipped the boy before the court to "Busy Bee Arizona." He meant Bisby.Labels: custody, Judge McCune, juvenile court, Native Americans January 21, 1908 HER HUSBAND TOOK THE BOY.
And Mrs. Mary E. Brown Tried to End Her Life With Poison.
More than a week ago Silas Brown, a driver for the American Butter Company, 540 Walnut street, left his wife, Mary E. Brown, and went to live with his mother at Seventh and Oak streets, taking with him a 2-year-old adopted boy. The wife continued living alone at 1214 East Eighth street, pining for the child. Last night she visited her husband and his mother, and begged them to let her have the boy . It is said they received her coldly, and refused her request.
Returning to her home Mrs. Brown took poison, and notified a friend of her act. She was removed to emergency hospital, where the physicians worked over her until 1 o'clock this morning, at which time she revived sufficiently to tell them what drove her to the attempt upon her life. She did not say w hat kind of poison she had taken, but the doctors believed it to be strychnine. It is thought that she will recover.
Mrs. Brown in 23 years of age, and comely.Labels: custody, Eighth street, general hospital, Oak street, Seventh street, Suicide, Walnut Street, women October 17, 1907 RAN AWAY TO MOTHER
LITTLE GIRL SAVED PENNIES FOR HER FARE.
Wanee Ward Was Lonesome in Keytesville and Deserted Her Father's People -- Mother Will Reward Her Fidelity. 
WANEE WARD.
Running through muddy fields and hiding in corn and behind trees for cover in order to keep out of the hands of officers, and finally managing to safely secure herself in a seat in a passenger train bound for Kansas City, Wanee Ward, a little 14-year-old girl, came here late Tuesday night and now enjoys the care and attention of her mother, whom she had not seen for years.
Her mother is Mrs. Luttie Ward, of 1429 Harrrison street. She secured a divorce shortly after the little girl was born and, according to her statement was given the custody of her five children. For some reason the little girl was at that time left with the relatives of Clarke Ward, Mrs. Ward's husband.
Mrs. Ward never made an effort to have her daughter sent to her , and knew noting of the child's dissatisfaction with her home in the little town of Keytesville, Mo., until a few weeks ago, when Mrs. Ward received a letter from the girl begging her to come after her. Mrs. Ward said she refused to do this in order to avoid a family row.
Although she had become dissatisfied with her home in Keyesville, Wanee Ward would say noting to her relatives about her intentions of coming to Kansas City. Three weeks ago she started to plan her escape and at that time told a schoolmate of her intentions. She saved what pennies and nickels she could get and Tuesday morning had $1.35. In the afternoon she ran away from school and found her way through corn fields and woods to the railroad station, which is two miles from the school house.
When she reached the depot, there was no passenger train in sight and she hid in a corn field to wait for one to appear. A train stopped at the station early in the evening, and she boarded it on the opposite side from the depot in order to avoid detection. The little girl hid in a seat until the train departed for Kansas City.
Wanee had but $1.45 and the fare to this city is $2.02. This did not worry her, however, as when the conductor called for her ticket she handed him $1, telling him that was all the money she had. The conductor accepted the money and the child finally found her mother.
Yesterday, the sheriff of Keytesville inquired of the authorities in this city as to the little girl's whereabouts, and it is thought that Mr. Ward's family will try to have the child taken back to Keytesville, but Mrs. Ward says she will use every effort to retain custody of her daughter.
This is the second one of the Ward children to run away from the Ward relatives, a son, George, having come to his mother in this city two years ago.Labels: children, custody, Harrison street, railroad September 10, 1907
FINDS HER MOTHER.
MYSTERY OF MISS "POTTER'S" PARENTAGE IS SOLVED. UNKNOWN WOMAN GAVE TIP.
SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF MRS.
IDA DRYSDALE.
Father Died and the Mother Gave
Her Five Children Away.
Grandparents of Miss
"Potter" Live in
This City.The mystery surrounding the birth of Miss Ella Potter, of Kansas City, Kas., has been solved. She is the daughter of Mrs. Ida Drysdale, who lives on a farm near Jefferson City, and the grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rice, of 2506 Euclid avenue, this city.
Yesterday Mrs. Effie Stuttle, of 804 Minnesota avenue, with whom Miss Potter is living, was called up by telephone by a woman who refused to give her name, and told that Miss Potter could find her grandparents by calling at 2506 Euclid avenue. Miss Potter lost no time in reaching the Euclid avenue address, and after making herself known received a welcome by her grandmother.
"I was never so happy in all my life," said Miss Potter last night. "I knew I was right when I said I was not the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Potter, and that I remembered being taken to their home when I was a mere baby. My grandmother bears me out in every one of my statements.
MOTHER GAVE CHILDREN AWAY.
"According to the story told me this afternoon by my grandmother, my father died when I was an infant, leaving my mother with five small children. She was poor and could not properly care for us, so she gave us all away. There were three boys and two girls. My sister and two of my brothers are dead, so grandma has been informed, leaving just myself and a brother. She could not tell me where my brother is now, but I guess my mother will know. I must surely see him."
"Will you visit your mother at once on the farm?"
"No, I'll not go there now, as my grandmother says she has been expecting to visit her here in Kansas City for some time, and is liable to arrive any day. Oh, I can hardly wait to see her. Just think, I am 18 years old, and have not seen my mother to know her since I was a baby. If she is not able to take me home with her I shall not burden her, for I am capable of making a living for myself. I would be willing to help support her now, but my grandmother says she has a good home.
"It wasn't because she didn't love us children that she gave us away; it was because she couldn't give us as good a home as she wanted us to have. She has thought me happy because the pole she gave me to have lots of money, but I would rather be with her in a hovel than to live in a mansion without he. I have known all the time that I had a mother somewhere in the world, but it didn't bother me so much when I was a little girl.
"Ever since I have been big enough to think seriously it has worried me a great deal. Many a night when all alone in my bed I have offered up a silent prayer that she would come to me some day."
Miss Potter told her grandmother how she remembered living near a bluff and the trip on the street car taken by her when her mother took her to the Potter home in Kansas City, Kas. Her grandmother told her she was correct, that her mother then lived in a house on the West bluff, just up from the Union depot.
"I recalled a time, as I remembered, when I was bitten by a dog when I was a baby," said Miss Potter, "and grandma said it was right. she said I was not quite 3 years old then."
LUXURY AND HAPPINESS.
Miss Potter states that the reason her relatives have kept her in ignorance of her right name was because they thought she was living in luxury and happiness and never suspected she questioned Mr. and Mrs. Potter of not being her father and mother.
Miss Potter received a letter yesterday from Charles Morris, of Oakley, Kas., a cousin of Mrs. Potter, in which he pleads with her to return to the Potter home. He said he remembered her when she was first taken there and how proud Mrs. Potter was of her.
Miss Potter says she has not made any plans for her future and will not until she has seen her mother. She does not want to return to the Potter home to live. Mrs. Stuttle, with whom she is now staying, conducts a kindergarten and training school, and she says that Ella can have a home with her as long as she wants it.
When a reporter called at the Rice home last night the house was in darkness and numerous rings at the doorbell failed to receive a response.Labels: custody, Euclid avenue, Jefferson City, Kansas City Kas September 10, 1907
THE FATHER WEPT IN COURT.
And Then His 2-Year-Old Son Began to Wail Aloud.
Mike Ross, a fireman living at 1519 Franklin street, was before the juvenile court yesterday because he had failed to pay $2 a week for the care of his 2-year-old son, Jim, who has been living with Mrs. Marie Strauss, 1311 Crystal avenue, since Ross' wife left him.
"I want to take the boy and I'll give him a good home," Mike said. "I don't pay the woman the money because she won't let me see the boy."
"Mike was drinking and I was afraid," Mrs. Straus explained.
"The law says," Judge Porterfield broke in, "the law says, Mike, that you must support your child even if you never see him. We can put you in jail if you don't care for him.
"And you, Mrs. Straus, must let Mike see his child whenever he wants to."
"All I want is justice; I love the boy," Mike said and he began to cry. Little Jim, seeing his father in tears, climbed on his lap and wailed aloud. Mike and Mrs. Straus went away together, Mike carrying the child.Labels: children, Crystal avenue, custody, Franklin street, Judges, juvenile court September 7, 1907 SEEKS RIGHT NAME.
ELLA POTTER WANTS TO KNOW WHO HER PARENTS ARE.
WILL APPEAL TO THE COURT.
REARED TO WOMANHOOD BY MR. AND MRS. POTTER.
Has Lived With Them Since She Was 3 Years Old -- Remembers, She Says, Her Mother Taking Her to Strange Place to Live.
Suit in equity to compel Mr. and Mrs. Eli Potter, who have reared her from infancy to young womanhood, to reveal her right name and history is to be brought in the Wyandotte district court by Miss Ella Potter, an accomplished and pretty 18-year-old girl of Kansas City, Kas. She has employed County Attorney Joseph Taggart to represent her.
Miss Porter declares she is not the child of Mr. and Mrs. Porter and has known so ever since she was taken to their home. However, she says they have always claimed her as their own, and when she would plead with them to tell her the facts and make known her true parentage, they would simply laugh at what they called her foolishness.
POSITIVE NOT THEIR CHILD.
"I am positive that I am not their child," said Miss Potter yesterday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Effie Struttle, 804 Minnesota avenue, where she is now living, having left the Potter home July 4 last. "I can just faintly remember playing with two little boys and a little girl, whom I believe were my brothers and sister. I recollect leaving them one day with my mother, who took me on the cars and left me in a strange house with a strange woman. I cried when she left me."
"Do you remember ever seeing your mother again?" Miss Potter was asked.
"Oh, yes. She frequently visited me for what seems now to have been several months, but finally she came and left and I have never seen her since then, that I know of. I used to cry for her and ask to see her, but Mrs. Potter would tell me to hush, that she was my mamma. After I grew to be a good-sized girl I often pleaded with them to reveal to me my right name and tell me who my father and mother were, but they would invariably treat my pleadings lightly, insisting that I was their child and for me not to be so foolish as to think otherwise.
"I am now a young woman, and I am more than ever convinced that I am not the child of Mr. and Mrs. Potter. My only desire and ambition at present is to ascertain my true parentage and see my real mother, if she is living. It is a terrible mental strain to be under, but I shall never have any peace of mind until I have learned the mystery that seems to surround my birth. I believe the courts will do justice to me and compel Mr. and Mrs. Potter to lay bare the secret."
FIRST REMEMBERANCE OF HER. The people of Kansas City, Kas., first remember Miss Potter as a child of about 3 years old. It was generally understood that Mr. and Mrs. Potter had adopted her. Mrs. Potter has always shown a great fondness for the girl, and until the last year or two they were almost constantly in each other's company. When Miss Potter became of school age she was sent to the Columbia, Mo., seminary. Later she attended school at Aurora, Ill., and at Mt. Carroll, Ill. Miss Potter states that her terms at these schools were short, as Mrs. Potter would send for her to come home.
In speaking about her suit, Miss Potter stated that she had engaged County Attorney Taggart to take care of it for her, and that he would commence an action in the next day or so.
County Attorney Taggart was seen last night and stated that Miss Potter had consulted him in the matter of bringing a suit to ascertain her identity, and that he had taken the case. He didn't know just when he would file the petition.
"I never heard of such a suit being brought before," he continued, "but I am inclined to believe that a suit in equity would hold in court, and that Mr. and Mrs. Potter can be compelled to reveal the name of the girl's parents, if they know."
Mr. and Mrs. Potter have lived in Kansas City, Kas., for more than a quarter of a century. They erected a handsome mansion at Eighth street and State avenue in the '80s, which was used for a while as a private hotel. It was burned to the ground about seventeen years ago. They have since erected a home on the same site. Mrs. Potter years ago was a candidate for mayor of Kansas City, Kas., as an independent woman candidate. She was defeated, but received quite a vote.
Mr. and Mrs. Potter could not be seen last night.Labels: County Attorney Taggart, custody, Eighth street, Kansas City Kas, State avenue April 17, 1907 CHILDREN CHOOSE PARENTS.
Father Makes Offer in Filing a Suit for Divorce.
Jesse T. Moreman filed a petition in the circuit court yesterday for divorce from his wife, Lye Elizabeth Morman, charging her with ill treatment and other indignities. In his petition Moreman offers to let three children, Mabel, Thomas and Merriam, choose between the two litigants in open court, deciding with which parent they wish to make their respective homes.Labels: circuit court, custody, Divorce April 10, 1907 WRONG BOY FIRST
TWO ATTEMPTS IN ABDUCTION OF LITTLE CHARLES M'NEESE. GRANDMOTHER UNDER ARREST.
REFUSED TO STATE WHEN LAST SHE SAW DAUGHTER. Theory of Police That Lad Was Kid- naped Grows Stronger as Evidence of Hack Drivers Is Brought to Their Notice -- Three Persons Said to Be Involved.
Mrs. Annie L. Sadlier, grandmother of Charles H. McNeese, 2305 Brighton avenue, who disappeared on his way to the Ashland school last Friday, was arrested at her home, 1522 McGee street, by Detective W. H. Bates and Thomas Hayde yesterday afternoon. Though Mrs. Sadlier denies any part in the affair, she was positively identified yesterday afternoon by two hack drivers, one of whom said he hauled her twice while looking for the child and another one who says he drove the very carriage in which little Charles was taken away and that Mrs. Sadlier was a passenger as far as the Ashland school. Charles M. Howell, attorney for Mr. McNeese, said last night that an information would be filed against Mrs. Sadlier this morning, charging her with kidnaping.
There is still another hack driver in the case who has not been located and the police think that he will come forward and assist in identifying the woman under arrest when he learns that no charge will be placed against him. This is the man who drove the hack to the Irving school Twenty-fourth and Prospect, a week ago today, when Garrell Ash, the 6-year-old son of Mrs. Lou Ash, 2413 East Twenty-third street, was taken away protesting. Charles McNeeese used to attend that school and the kidnapers evidently made a mistake. Garrell was taken to a house at 1522 McGee street, questioned for a long time and then sent home on a car. It was this incident, given the detectives yesterday, which led to the first clue, as at that number lives the missing child's grandmother -- mother of McNees's divorced wife. Ash pointed out the house and will be given a chance to see Mrs. Sadler today.
MRS. SADLIER IDENTIFIED. "Tink" Williams, a driver from the Jackson livery barn, 1309 Walnut street, at once identified Mrs. Sadlier. He told the detectives that he had hauled Mrs. Sadlier and a younger woman with a baby on two occasions and that both times they drove out around the schools on the East side when the children were going to school. Charles Burch, a negro driver for the Eylar Bros.' livery barn, who also identified Mrs. Sadlier readily, said that it was he who drove the carriage the day young McNeese was stolen. He told of the same two women, one elderly, the other young and with her a baby. He drove them last Friday morning to the Ashland school, Twenty-fourth street and Elmwood avenue. "I was told to wait about a block form the school," said Burch, "as both women got out. Presently the younger woman and a man returned, leading and dragging a little boy, who didn't seem to want to go. This woman was still carrying her baby. I never saw the older woman until today at police headquarters." When they got in the cab again Burch was told to drive post-haste to Armourdale, where he was dismissed as the quartette boarded an electric car. They are believed to have transferred so as to reach the Leavenworth electric line in Kansas City, Kas. Mrs. Sadlier, when first arrested, told Detective Bates that she had seen her daughter, the former Mrs. McNeese, only last week. At the station she denied the statement and said she had not seen her in three years, but heard from her eight months ago in Montreal, Canada. She then said one of her nieces was at her house last week and followed that with a denial, saying that she had seen none of them for eight months. WOMAN MAKES STATEMENT. Her statement, taken later in the day, reads in part: My name is Annie L. Sadlier. My daughter's name now is Mrs. Annie Evans. She married Charles C. McNeese eleven years ago and they had one child, Charles Hiram McNeese. She and McNeese were divorced about four years ago and he given the custody of the child for one year by Judge Gibson, when it was to be given to its mother if she proved herself worthy. She married Bruce Evans afterwards and on March 1 three years ago moved away from here. Don't care to say when I last saw my daughter, if not compelled to answer now. Was home all day Friday, April 5, and not out of the house from 1 to 4 p. m. Don't remember anyone that day at all and don't remember when my brother got home. I am not going to answer the
question whether I saw my daughter Friday and will say no more until the
proper time. I positively declare that I was not in a hack last week at any time. Was not at any liver barn last week, either. I positively declare that I had noting to do with the kidnaping of Charles McNeese last week.
Labels: Armourdale, Brighton avenue, children, custody, detectives, Divorce, Elmwood avenue, Leavenworth, McGee street, police, police headquarters, Prospect avenue, Seniors, Twenty-fourth street, Twenty-third street, Walnut Street April 8, 1907 NO TRACE OF MISSING BOY.
Police Unable to Locate Charles McNeese Who Disappeared Friday.
As yet the police have been unable to locate Charles H. McNeese, the 6-year-old son of C. C. McNeese, 2305 Brighton avenue. The lad has not been heard from since he left home Friday morning to go to the Ashland school at Twenty-fourth street and Elmwood avenue. The suspicion that the boy was kidnaped by two women who appeared near the school house in a closed carriage both Thursday and Friday mornings, was substantiated by a man who saw them talking to the boy just before they drove away Friday morning. That was the last seen of him in the neighborhood of his home or the school.
A description of one of the women in the carriage tallies with that of the boy's mother, from whom his father secured a divorce about three years ago. The police are searching for the missing boy, and descriptions of him have been sent out to police departments of other cities.Labels: Brighton avenue, children, custody, Divorce, Elmwood avenue, kidnapping, missing April 7, 1907
2 RUN-AWAY WIVES
SISTERS FLEEING FROM HUS- BANDS SEEK REFUGE HERE.
ONE OF THEM UNDER ARREST.
SHE IS ACCUSED OF SELLING MORTGAGED PROPERTY Mrs. Jennie D. Smith, of Denver, and Mrs. Narcissus Smith Tell Their Troubles to the Police -- "Plot to Get Me to Denver," Says Jennie D.
There must have been all kinds of discord in the Smith family when two Mrs. Smiths, sisters, made up their minds to run away. Both are now in the matron's room at police headquarters. Both are pretty, brown eyed and auburn haired.
One of them is being held a prisoner. Her name is Mrs. Jennie D. Smith from Denver, Col. An officer from there will be here after her this afternoon. A wire to the chief here said that a charge of welling mortgaged property had been placed against her.
Mrs. Jennie D. Smith said that she left her husband in Denver three months ago, going to her sister, Mrs. Narcissus Smith, in Memphis, Tenn.
"My husband threatened to kill me more than once," said Mrs. J. D. Smith. "My sister was there at the time and heard him do so many times. When we separated he gave me all the furniture and told me to keep the roomers or do what I pleased. He said he would make the payments for it. When I got ready to go to Memphis with my sister I sold the furniture, $350 worth of it, for $115. The auction house to which it was sold lost it afterwards to the instalment house. My husband simply wants to get me back there, and into trouble, with the idea that I will go back to him -- but I won't. Not much."
The two sisters went on to Memphis, where two weeks ago, Mrs. Narcissus Smith concluded that life with George Smith, a machinist, could not be endured any longer. So they both "up and left," taking the Memphis woman's 3-year-old baby, Ruth, along with them. Mrs. George Smith was preparing to go back to Denver with her sisters.
Yesterday morning a small, bald, stockily built man went into the office of Chief Hayes and announced that he had come to town to "kidnap me child." After a short talk it was learned that he was after "Baby Ruth," a golden haired beauty.
"I am going to take that kid away from my wife and take it to the home of my sister," he announced. Chief Hayes, however, told Smith that he would walk into all sorts of trouble if he attempted anything of the sort in Kansas City. He was referred to Colonel J. C. Greenman, Humane agent.
It was the order of the colonel that an officer be sent out with Smith, and that all three, husband, wife and baby appear at his office. While Smith and Detective William Bates were scouting in the vicinity of Hasbrook place, Twelfth and Washington streets, where the Mrs. Smiths had resided, Mrs. George Smith appeared at the matron's room to see her sister. When she was told that her husband was here after the child she was more than frantic.
"He'll steal it. He'll steal it, just as sure as fate," she said, hysterically. "I never did him but one mean trick and that was to use his last month's pay check with which to get away. He was just preparing to leave me and go to Panama, and I knew it. Now he wants the baby just for spite."
She was going right home to protect her baby, but was told that Smith was with an officer,and would not dare to do such a thing. On her way downstairs to see Chief Hays and ask his protection, which Colonel Greenman advised, after hearing her story, she encountered "George" right face to face in a narrow hallway.
"Don't you touch me! Don't you speak to me!" she exclaimed, as she sought protection behind a big policeman. Smith wilted when the policeman said, "Phat ye tryin' to do here, hit a lady? G'wan wid ye, er Oi'll drive ye into th' flure like a tack."
Chief Hayes sent Holly Jarboe with Mrs. Smith No. 2 to her rooms at Hasbrook place, where the child was found with a neighbor. She moved right then and there, bag, baggage and baby, to the matron's room at police headquarters, where the chief said she could remain until her sister left for Denver. This afternoon an officer will accompany her to the train to see that no trouble occurs in the Smith family.
"If Smith wants to steal his baby let him go to Denver," said the chief. "We don't allow that here when we know it."Labels: children, Col. J. C. Greenman, custody, Denver, detectives, domestic violence, Police Chief Hayes, police headquarters, Twelfth street, Washington street March 30, 1907
IN SEARCH OF HER BABY.
Mrs. Alexander Gave It Away, Now Wants It Back.
Mrs. Laura Alexander, 1743 Oak street, appealed yesterday to the Humane society for aid in finding her 3-year-old-daughter, Edith Juanita, who, so the mother stated, had been abducted by a woman giving her name as Mrs. Collins, but who, it was later learned was Mrs. L. A. Goodrich of 1003 Wyandotte street.
MISSING BABY
Mrs. Goodrich first saw the baby with Mrs. Woods, 1743 Oak street, in a dry goods store. She gave her name as Mrs. Collins and at Mrs. Woods' suggestion called upon the baby's mother to see about taking the child to board. She was accompanied by a man, who she said was her husband. The couple took the baby and the woman later left town, going to Lansing, Kas., where she is said to have been seen and heard to say she intended returning to Kansas City. Goodrich, who works at Twenty-second and Wyandotte streets for the Standard Scale and Foundry Company, said his wife had not lived with him since March 16, but she had brought the baby to see him at 413 West Twentieth street last Wednesday night. The police are looking for the woman. Labels: children, custody, Humane Society, missing, Oak street, Twenty-second street, Wyandotte street February 26, 1907
BY A LAWYER'S AID.
ATTORNEY HELPED MRS. ROBINSON KIDNAP HER CHILD. AN OLD MYSTERY CLEARED UP.
CHILD WAS TAKEN FROM CHACE SCHOOL LAST JUNE.
Mother and Father Had Separated and Courts Had Awarded HimCustody of Gertrude, 7 Years Old--Humane Officer Suspected.
When little Gertrude Robinson, 7 years old, was kidnaped from the basement of the Chace school by her mother on June 1 last year many persons, especially Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Weaver, 1404 Troost avenue, who were keeping the child, believed that Colonel J. C. Greenman, Humane agent, had aided Mrs. Robinson. A woman, well known as a local temperance worker, appeared at Colonel Greenman's office yesterday afternoon, however, and admitted that she and a lawyer had planned the whole thing. Mrs. Robinson, she said, came on here from Chicago and stopped at her home. The lawyer was called in and the three planned the kidnaping, which was successful. Just after little Gertrude entered the basement steps at the school the morning of Friday, June 1, 1906, a woman was standing in the shadow. "Hello, Gertrude," she said. "Why, hello, mamma," replied the child. The mother threw a black cloak over her child and ran to where a carriage was standing on the Paseo. With mother and child the carriage was driven rapidly south to Fifteenth street and west. Then it was seen no more. It was believed that Mrs. Robinson had stolen her own child, but this could not be proved. Woman-like, however, she had to tell it. Two days later a Frisco conductor came in from his run and reported that a woman with a little girl, described as the missing one, had boarded his train in Rosedale. He paid no attention to her, but she had told the train butcher her story. She said that after getting possession of Gertrude the hack had driven to the Southwest Boulevard and Wyandotte street. All that had been planned out beforehand. There she left the vehicle and boarded a Rosedale car, getting out there just in time to meet the ongoing Frisco passenger for Springfield, Mo. She left Springfield for St. Louis and went from there to Chicago, getting home the next day. The child was not missed by the Weavers until noon. Then they instituted a search on their own accord, and the kidnaping was not reported to the police until 2 p.m., five hours after it occurred. All of the outgoing trains were watched by detectives, but the shrewd little mother with her babe was many, many miles from Kansas City railway stations. She knew they would be watched, that is, she, her woman friend and the lawyer. Little Gertrude was the daughter of Harry G. Robinson. He secured a divorce from his wife by default, the notice of the suit having been printed in an Independence paper, which the wife never saw in her Chicago home. When she heard of it she came here and tried to get the decree set aside, but failed. The court had given the custody of the child to Robinson. Colonel Greenman had advised the woman in both suits and that was how he came to be suspected of advising the kidnaping. The mother came here once," said the colonel yesterday, "and visited with her child at the Weaver's for a week. I suspected something wrong at the time and went so far as to make Mrs. Robinson leave her return ticket and all her money, but a small amount, with me, and saw her to the train when she left. She had visited at my house then and I knew if she got away with her baby I would have to bear the blame. When she did come here and succeed in kidnaping it I had no idea she was out of Chicago -- but I got the blame nevertheless of advising her to take it in the manner in which she did. I wouldn't use my office for breaking the law and am glad that Mrs. Blank has set me right." The woman who helped to plan the kidnaping said she was going to tell the Weavers how it was all done -- some day, when she got a chance. Labels: Col. J. C. Greenman, crime, custody, Divorce, kidnapping, Paseo, Rosedale, schools, St Louis, Troost avenue February 23, 1907
ADOPTED A NINTH CHILD.
Mrs. Fanny Savage, Highwayman's Wife, Accused of Neglect.
When Mike Savage, alias O'Brien, was arrested by Detectives Kenny and Ghent on a charge of highway robbery, at his home, 417 East Eighteenth street, the night of February 14, those officers reported to Colonel J. C. Greenman, Humane agent, that a little 5-month old baby was being kept there in squalor, wretchedness and misery.
Yesterday morning Dr. E. L. Matthias, of the juvenile court and Mrs. Kate Pearson, of the Associated Charities, went to the Eighteenth street house, while Mrs. Fanny Savage, the baby's foster mother, was away and took the little one to Mercy hospital, Fifth street and Highland avenue, where it is said to be in precarious condition.
When Mrs. Savage returned home she was taken before Colonel Greenman for investigation and asked why she had adopted a child of such a tender age and then had neglected it. She said her husband saw it at St. Anthony's home and "took pity on it" and for that reason she adopted it -- "just because my husband wanted me to," she said. "I have eight of my own now and five of them are at home."
Savage, James Severwright, Samuel Hite and Herman, alias "Dutch" Gall, are all confessed highwaymen now in the county jail awaiting trial.Labels: Associated Charities, Col. J. C. Greenman, crime, custody, Eighteenth street, Highland avenue, highway robbery, jail, juvenile court, Mercy hospital, St Anthonys Home January 21, 1907
GETS CHILDREN BACK.
For Some Time Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Adams Have Been Trying to Secure Them From the Courts
Probate Judge Van B. Prather, who is also judge of the juvenile court in Kansas City, Kas., yesterday ordered that the four children of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Adams, who were taken away from their parents by Judge Freeman last summer, be returned to them. It was alleged last summer that Adams had deserted his family and that Mrs. Adams was not a fit person to have charge of them. The children, who range in age from 8 to 13 years, were placed in charitable institutions for adoption, and all of them except the eldest child, Daisy, were adopted. Daisy was sent to the Soldiers' Orphan home in Atchison, Kas. and was in court yesterday.
It was proved yesterday that Mrs. Adams is a woman of good character and that Adams did not desert his family. He is now employed at the Swift packing house and went to Fort Worth, Tex., to enter the employ of that company last summer. The Adams family lives in Armourdale.
Last summer Adams went to Texas to work. During his absence, Festus Foster, Humane officer, found the four children in what he claimed was a filthy house in Armourdale, suffering for lack of food, and took them in charge. They were taken before Judge Winfield Freeman, of the juvenile court. Judge Freeman awarded the custody of the children to the Kansas Orphan society at Topeka to be placed in adoption.
October 8 Adams returned from Texas and immediately asked the juvenile court to give him back his children. During the course of the hearing, Adams became very angry and exclaimed: "Freeman, I'll have my children, if I have to get them at a point of a gun!"
After this outbreak Judge Freeman refused to listen to Adams further, and denied his application for the custody of his children.
Yesterday Mr. and Mrs. Adams appeared before the court, and proved to the satisfaction of the judge that they were able and willing to take charge of their children again. Both husband and wife denied that Adams' trip to Texas had been a desertion of the family, saying that he had simply gone there to make a living for them.Labels: courtroom, custody, Judge Prather, juvenile court, Kansas City Kas, Topeka |
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