Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-02
A Child Claimed by Two Mothers.
A sCrNR IN COuRT

In the Circuit Court, yesterday. before Judge
Alexander, a case of habeas borpus was heard
which presented some extraordinary features.
Upon the petition Of George H. Perry and Eli
zabeth Perry, a writ OF habeas corpus was
issued, directed to Edward Landers and Mar
garet Ferrell requiring respondents to pro.
duce In court The body of Hester Louisa Bart
ling, aged eight years, (alleged to be the daugh.
ter of Mrs. Perry, one Of the petitioners, before
the respondents, The answer of Edw. Ian
ders, one of the respondents, alleges that the
child is the daughter of his wife. Margaret
I.anders, by a former husband, whose name
was Terrell. and that the name Of the child was
Margaret Terrell Mrs Perry testified that the
child was born IN the almshouse, before her
marriage, that being unable to take care of it,
she lett il with woman named Mrs. Longh-,
lin, who was TO support il for So per month
and that SO was paid her on account: that she
shortly after went to Frederick, ana on her
return found her child in possession of Mrs
Terrell, at whose house she frequently visited
1t. Also, that she was m arried for the first time
also, that MRS. Loughlin, with whom the child
was left by its mother, being unable to support
ii, and hearing nothing OF its mother after the
child was left with her for over six months
attempted to place it IN some asylum, but fail.
ed She then gave ii to Mrs. Terrell, who
adopted II. gave IL her name, and fixed upon It
certain property in Philadelphia. 1t was also
in evidence that the child was claimed to be
the daughter Of Mrs. Terrell before her present
marriage, and thatits name was Margaret Fer
rell. Tne evidence was conflicting. After the
examination Of ore or two witnesses. the re-.
spondents asked that the case be postponed
until Saturday next to enable them to produce
witnesses, and the court granted the postpone.
ment. The counsel for petitioners asked that
the child, in the meantime, might be kept in
The custody OF the sheriff. to prevent its being
carried beyond the jurisdiction Of the court
Al IN point Judge Alexander directed two
enairs 10 be placed al one end OF the court.
room. He then requested MIS-. Perry, one OF
the petitioners, TO take one of the seats, and
mrs ferre!l, one Of the respondents, the other.
The child during he hearing had heen stand.
Ing upon the platform, At the sideof the Judge
Judge Alexander then turning 10 the child and
told 1t TO go to its mother. The child started
down and Ii en- turned around and asked the
Judge. "Can 60 to the mother i wants" The
Judge said "Yes, child, ;" when she sprang for.
ward. and thre " herself into the arms of Mrs
Ferrell, exclaimtng: "This is the mother I
want" She was received with passionate
Kisses. During these proceedings, the eyes OF
Inc large number Of women, as well as men
present. were directed to the movements of the
women rose to their feet, and gave vent to their
feelings In EXPLANATIONS of delight 1.-THE
DARING cnlid,'' saws one. ssShe knows her
motner, says another. Sobs and tears accom-.
panied the demonstration. The countAnances
OF men were not without emotion. and 1t was
some ume before the qniet Of the courtroom
was restored. While this Gene was being
enacted, Mrs. Perry, the petitioner looked on,
ano soon after left her seat and took a chair
beside ner counsel, at the trial table. Judge
Alexander then directed Mrs Ferrell to take
charge OF the child and produce her in court
on Saturday next. He also told the counsel
tnat the child was in the CUSTODY of the court.
aho Ieinssd the application to place her in
charge OF inc sheriff. Thomas Hopkins and
VIM. 4. Dnn. Esqs.. appeared as counsel for
Inc pettior ers, and l.. p. ID. Newman and J.
% "entz' Esqs, for respondents.-BaH Sum-