Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1883-12-06
A CASE FOR SOLOMON,
TWO WOMEN CLAIM A CHILD
BUT THE MATTER CON.
PROMlHED,

>o>
Nearly six years ago o woman In thi
city was left with three children, th
youngest boy about two months ole
The Oldest two were placed in tn
Children's Home, and the mother afte
vainly trying to obtain = place a
honsew0rk, where she could take he
child, placed it to board with . Mr..
Riley.
She paid board for the child abou
one year, and then ~ she, was sick an
unable to work, told Mrs. Riley sh
could take the child and raise 1t a. he
own. That lady has retained posses
sion OF 1t ever since, feeding, cloth nj
and sending him to school.
Some time ago the mother married
man named Forrest, and after they
were comfortably settled In q litri
home over the Brandywine, the mothe
thought she would like TO have hs
children with her, and IA her HUSBAND
interposed no objection, she started L
get them tosether. She had no trouble
in obtaining the custody Of the two old
est, but when she tried 10 get tho boy
the tug Of war commenced.
Mrs. Riley refused to give him up
aud claimed that as she had had hin
learly SIX years, the mother had forfeit
ed all right to him.
Mrs. Forrest finding that she coulC
not obtain possession of the child by
persuasion, resolved to take him by
force or strategy, and yesterday after
noon went to the school that he atten
ded, and notwithstanding his strug
giles carried him TO her own home.
As soon as Mrs. Riley learned that
the mother had taken the child she ap
piled to the police, to invoke the strong
arm OF the law and have him returned
Both parties were at the Mayors office
last evening, and Mrs. Forrest, whc
evidently thought that possession was
nine points of law, kept the child In her
lap.
Mrs. Riley told her story, how she
had raised him, and when she spoke of
his affection for her fairly screamed out,
"and l intend to have him she has no
right TO him." and before the by
standers could intefere had seized him
by one arm while the mother held on to
the other. A pulling match ensued
that threatened to result seriously TO the
child, when Chief Hawkins interfered
and separated the women, allowing the
mother to retain the child.
A war Of words and elimination and
re criuination ensued betw cen the two
angry women, that was also participa-
tod in by their husbands, and the Chief
had his hands full to keep order, and
persuade Mrs. Riley TO remain in her
seat until the Mayor should come in.
Mr.. Forrest said he had offered to
pay Mrs. Riley $25 for what she had
done for the child, and she replied that
she intended to have $3.50 week for
the whole time she had kept him, and
itthey wouldn't pay that she wanted
the child.
While the discussion was going on
Mayor Wales came in, and after hear
rg the statements Of both parties asked
the child which was his mother, when
he promptly pointed to Mrs. Riley and
made motion ne though he wanted to
get down and 90 to her He was re-
strained by Mrs. Forrest, when he com.
menccd to cry, and the Mayor ordered
officer Turner TO take the parties to the
residence of Judge Wales, No. 1909
Delaware avenue, and let him settle It,
Mrs. Forrest, who was evidently
afraid of Mrs. Riley, refused TO 20
until the Mayor assured her that the
officer would protect her and prevent
Mrs. Riley taking the child until the
matter was settled by the Judge.
Tie not very amiable party found
the Judge At home, and after he had
heard the statements of both sides he
advised them to compromise the mat
ter, AS 1t would be very expensive
to obtain writ of habeas corpus
and have the case decided by law, and
It was finally agreed that the FORESTS
should pay Mrs Riley SIS, which she
agreed to accept, and relinguishcd all
ola m tn tha nhill