The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-26
0NEBABE ANDTWO MOTHERS
BUTJTSTICE MURRfT DECTDES TO err
THE LITTLE ONE 10 NEITHER.


Committed Instead 60 the Comn,i-sioners OF
Chnriues and CorrectIon-lA Curious Christ
mas Scene In IA New York Police Court.
A buo-eyed, goldcn-haired dimplcd-facod
baby was tendcrly placed on Justice Murray's
desk yesterday morning. where 1t cooed and
laughed and threw its little arms toward tho
Justice.
Three women Of rough and dissoute appear
ance. accompanied by number OF coarse-
looking men. stepped up to the witness stand.
Mrs. Josephine Lovett OF Roosevelt street.
on whose fingers sparkled cheap diamonds
and who was dressed in tho most approved
fashion Of the Fourth Ward claimed the babe
by adoption.
Fanny Wright wretched. dissolute woman.
said she was tho childs mother. She had no
home and tho man who claimed to be her hus-
band depended upon her for money for his own
support.
Mrs. Lovett said: Three months aRo this
woman, who claims to be the mother OF the
child. was sent 10 prison. / then took the babe
homo. and cared for t. l returned It to tho
woman when she was discharged from prison.
She is dissouto person. She brought tho
child TO me last month. Judge. 1t would have
broken your heart to see It. When the woman
brought II TO me the little thing was covered
with bruises fresh and bleeding. The poor
tlilng WIS starved almost 10 dentn, ana lay
breathing so weakly that made sure 1t would
die. The woman. who was drunk ut tho time.
tod me that her husband wanted the child out
Of the way. aud had beaten II. and dashed II
against tho wall Az the child did not die. he
and another man had taken II with them tho
night previous, intending 10 throw II into the
river. She had followed them and saved the
child. and now wanted me to adopt it,"
Mrs loyett said she had sent for n doctor
and had tho child trcatcd and had purchased
clothes for it. Your Honor" sh" said. | may
be "a bad woman, but have money. and would
bring M this child rs tenderly as any mother
II ] was allowed"
Fanny Wright, who wgs assisted bytw9 repre-
sentgtiVcs Of the Tomhs bar" demanded the
child She could not remember when tho child
WIS born. but said Or. Parker had attended her
NJ the time. and that 1t was born in Forsyth
:" Do you swear that that is your child?" JUS
ticc Murray inquired
And why did You abandon it?"
Bernuse had no home. and Mrs. Lovcit
wanted it,
" You are the mother Of this chlld1"
"TLat's a lici said shrlI and piercing
voice in tho background. aud as Justice Murray.
startled by tho voice, sprung from his seat.
! he demanded that the speaker should stop
Mrs. Ellen UPTON. tho prorrietr IS ola saiors'
dance house At 81 Roosevelt street made her
| way 10 the her
-. We'll. Mrs. Upton" Justice Murray said.
| tell me what YOU know
.. " Judge on my oath that woman. Fanny
/ Wright. Is not the mo,hcr of that child. The
| real mother was arrested last summer for rob-
| berry and sentenced 10 i've years Imprisonment
| Your Honor on my oath this is truo and the
poor little thing since then has been half MUIR
| dcred a thousand times by that wretch Of a man
and this woman
| Couns j Tor Mrs Wright insisting TINT thcre
| was no proof that she was not the mother. de-
mRnded that the child be surrendered 20 her
| Mr.. lOvctt cutrea'rl the Justice tp allow her
! TO have the child. She had lots Of money. she
| said. aud would give bonds that the child should
| be properly brought w.
| Although you seem To retain some sense OF
| womanhood." the Justice said. " | would rather
see this poor little thing dead than give 1t up to
you, A. TO you. Fanny Wright. you are too de-
| graded woman, aud you have too cruelty
| abused that child for me not 10 protect IL. You
| have not salts itorily proved 90 m that you
| are H. righuul mother. II is remarkab.c that
| you should not even know the date %: Is birtI,
| Mr., Linden. make outa commitment :or II 10
| the care Of tho Commissioners Of Charities
! and Correction
| The lawyor- again objected. but Justice Mur-
| ray Ieiused t. surrender thc child.
" This is awhd.' added the Justice. o.,
| Roundsman lgNoetttook the laughing. cr1W.u.:
| bube away.