Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1874-05-30
STOLEyl a RARv-


The Police Court yesterday was the
scene of the commencement of an ex-
ceedingly amusing trial involving the
ownership of a baby. Mrs. George
l.awton (coiored) swore out a COM
plant against a Miss Alice Culver for
the possession of an infant about six
months old, she alleging the child was
stolen from her house during a TEN.
porary absence from her home. The
case was called at 5 o'clock p. NJ, and
both parties, their attorneys and Wit
nesses appeared in cOurt ACCOMPANIED
by a large crowd of persons eager to
witness the proceedings. The Oppos-
ing counsel, q. w. and J. Baker, en-
gagged in the usual preliminary skir-
mishing, after which the trial CON-
menced, when it was discovered that
the che-ild was non est. An officer
was dispatched for its production and
shortly reappeared i'm COMPANY with
the ''blessed baby" in charge of Kate.
Il Scotch nurse. The complaint speci-
flying the abduction was read and the
prosecuting witness, being sworn, took
the stand.
The witness is well:.known as Mrs.
George, aged about IS Summers and
| Winters, and as black as the ace of
clubs. She claims to he the lawful
parent of the disputed baby, which, to
all appearances, denies the soft inn
parchment, being as white and fair as
any of the Caucasian race. She was
first asked to look at the child, and,
proceeding to the nurse who held the
babe, carefully turned down the shawl
and gazed on the sleeping infant. She
identified it as her daughter. and so in
formed the attorneys in a manner
more torcible than elegant. The next
question prOpounded was for her to
tell how the abduction took place.
A.-She was absent when the child
see the woman, Miss Culver, running
away with the child in her arms.
Q.-When was it born?
A.-On last Thanksgiving Day,
about & o'clock, A. NJ. Miss Culver'S
baby was born the night previous, at
the am place. She assisted as nurse
at the time of the birth; there were
four or five born about the same time;
the child wasa boy; the other (mean-
Ing her OWN was a girl, and the one
now in court.
Q.-Where is Miss Culver's baby?
Al gave it away: having her per-
mission to do so before it was born. 1t
was given to- Mrs. Henderson, former
ly of Toano, now living in New York.
Defendants counsel here arose, and
admitted the taking of the child. but
that no theft was committed, as Miss
Culver only obtained her property,
and that witness had no claim what
ever. either as parent or guardian. to
the infant.
Mrs. George probably considered
this a good time to create a scene, but
the Court reminded her that there was
no need of going into spaSins, so she
cooled down and the trial proceeded.
Q.-Who is the father of this child?
Any husband, Of course; who
would it be?
Q.-What is his name?
A.-They call him ARKANSAS" but
that aint his name; his name is Comp
ton. IA white man, an American. and a
teain>ter.
Q.-Who is the father of your other
children?
Ale vas Il "Black Jew and was
killed in the war by you burned YAM
KEGS; but he vas us white As you
are.
Both attorneys here rose in Il ques-
ton of law. and the case became o
complicated than ever.
An adjournment was ordered until
this morning.