Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-05-03

ATTEMPT TO KIDNAP CHILDREN In
SALEM.

About five years ago the supreme court
OF Massachusetts granted divorce to MIR.
Thomas Earle of Worcester, who pre-
ferred charge of desertion against his
wife, and obtained the decree upon that
charge. They had several children. who
have recently been residing with MIR.
Earle, at Worcester. After the separation
Mrs. Earle applied to the court for the
custody of the two youngest children,
girl about 13 years old and boy some
what younger; and, on Friday last, Judge
Gray decreed that they should be given
in charge of the mother, now resident
OF Salem. Accordingly they were taken
away from the house of Mr. Earle in Wor-
cester on Friday afternoon and against
their desires, for they had remained with
their father during the past two years
they were taken to Salem. 1t is stated
that Mrs. Earle had been given the tenn
porary charge of the children some two
years ago, and that Mr., Earle then sue
ceeded in getting away one of them from
Salem. On Saturday, Mr.. Earle went to
Salem and succeeded in getting an inter-
view with the girl, Ellen c. Earle, and
arranged to have her leave her mother
yesterday, which she was quite willing to
do. He then returned to this city, and
remained over night. Eealy yesterday
morning, in company with relative, Mr..
Gustavus Clifford of Charlestewn, Mr..
Earle went to Salem, arriving at eight
o'clock. He went to the Essex House
and afterwards called upon Mr.. Ives, who
is counsel for Mrs. Earle, whose assis-
tance he requested in procuring an inter-
view with the children that he might as
certain their wants, in order to provide
| for thpm Mr. IvaS aSSapfa6 that the in
terview should take place, and went to
the house where they were staying, where
he took the children and started to go to
his residence with them. On his way Mr..
Earle met him, and while they were con-
| versing the barouche, in which Mr.. Earle
| rode from Boston, drove up. Mr.. Gif-
ford, who was in the baronche, sprang
out and seized the little boy, but his at
tempt to get him into the barouche was
frustrated by Mr.. Ives, who managed to
hold him and the lad Until an officer ar
rived. While the struggle was going on
Mr.. Earle put his daughter into the ba-
rouche and drove away as rapidly as pos
sible. Mr.. Clifford was taken to the city
marshal's office, and the assistant marshal
obtained carriage and drove to this city,
whittier MIR. Earle was supposed to have
gone. On the way the marshal Mr.. Dali
rymple, got track of the barouche, and
upon arriving in the city communicated
the facts to the chief-of-police. Messrs.
Shelton and Robbins were set to work to
find Mr.. Earle, and proceeded to Charles
ton, where he was known to have stopped
with his daughter. About half-past seven
clock they discovered him in Concord
street, in that city, in the act of leaving
for Worcester. They at once attemptedto to
| arrest him; but he refused to be captured
peaceably, and a struggle ensued, during
which he dealt the officers some severe
blows. He was taken to the city marshars
office ard detained for time, and upon
the arrival of City Marshal Browning Of
Salem he was turned over to the charge of
| the latter and taken to Salem. Two men
were with him at Charlestown, who were
not arrested. Further action by the court
is evidently needful to settle this interest
ing difficulty ty.-Bost0n AdUertiser.