The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1881-11-10
A BABY IN TIE SUPREME COURT.

Chapsky habeds c,rpus case the arguments
closed at noon, when the judges of the SUI
preme court announced that they would re-
serve their decision until tomorrow morn
ing at O'Clock. Whatever way the court de-
cides, the little girl is assured of good
home, but tomorrow will be sad day for
either the plaintiff the defendants in the
case, as will finally decree that they must give
up for life an object for which they have the
case, which has been on trial for several
days, in this connection, will not be out of
place. The plaintiff in this suit is man of
thirty years of age, Morris A. Chapsky, of
New Orleans, who sues to recover posses
sion of his young daughter, Ida May Chap
sEy. The case has many pathetic features
about it, and were it one in which counsel
could work the feelings of jury, we would
evidently hear some fine appeals to arouse
what Of the sympathetic there is in man.
But before the judges of the supreme court,
men trained to throw aside what feelings
they have, and decide according to their
Ideas of right and justice, nothing can be
Il
rather an unusual one. Ten years ago the
plaintiff, who is the son of wealthy New
Orleans merchant, against the wishes of his
parents, ran off with and married beauti-
full young lady, sister of Mrs. j. ii. Wood,
Of Solomon City, this State. The young
couple, after their marriage, came to Kansas
and settled down with M. and Mrs. Wood,
at Solomon City. In Mrs. Woods house,
the little child over whom the fight is now
being made, was born. \ short time after
the birth Of the child, Mr.. and Mrs. Chapsky
returned to New Orleans. Mrs. Chapsky be-
ing in very feeble health, leaving the child
gith MIS-, Weed. Three years aga the
mother of the child died In New Orleans,
and Mrs. Wood. regarding the child as her
| own, has brought it up as her own, giving
| it place in her affections which many pa
| rents do moi give to their own children. A
short time ago the father aud grandfather of
| the child came to Kansas to get possession OF
the child, but they found Mr.. and Mrs.
| Wood determined not to give it up. The
| grandfather assured them that the child
would receive the best education possible.
and even offered that if they would give her
| up to her father he would settle $4,000 on
her (the child. But all to no avail. The
foster mother would hear to nothing that
would separate her from her darling babe,
Mr.. Wood eYen Offering 70 settle his proper
| ty and all he had In the world on the child Ia
Offset the offer of the grandfather. Entreaty
4! failing, the father had recourse to to the law,
the present habeds corpus case being
A great many dispositions were introduced
and read, ard the testimony of the father
and grandfather. and Mr.. and Mrs. Wood
wastaken. Mrs. Wood could scarcely con
troll her emotions while she was giving hel
testimony. The child, bright and beauti
full little one of five years, was the exposure
of all eyes, though unconscious of the I'M
portance t. her or Ehe meaning Of the hard
fought trial. The Arguments in the ease be
| gan this morning, Hon. j. ID. Mcfarland
opening for the plaintiff, and George Il
Peek and c. l.. Slavens following for the de-
tense. Colonel John Martin closed for the
! plaintiff.
| lofhhs, ~-:btF t.r~huO tOguaN
decided the Chapsky case In favor of the de
defendants. 1t learned that after the decis
ion the attorneys on both sides and the par
ties got together at the Gordon House. Mr.
Chapsky admitted that the decision of thu
court was good, and that it was for the liz
terest of The child 10 stay with Mrs. Wood
Mr.. Chapsky put gold chain around til,
child's neck, and said that hereafter h,
would do oil that he ceAld to advance tn,
chld's interest He said also thai from tim,
to time he would pay the expenses of Mrs
Wood and the child to New Orleans to SEE
its grandfather and aunt. The Chapsky!
and Woods, with the child. went to Kansa'
/ city this morning.