Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-05
BATTLING FOR A CHILD.
A Mans Desperate Attempt q
take His Daughter from Her
Foster Mother.


New York Herald, ].
An attempt to abduct a child aud {
desperate fight to retain it caused in
tense excitement in q fashionable
quarter of Bergen, Jersey City, yes
terday afternoon. Rudderrow place
consists of nine handsome brown stone
front dwellings on Summit avenue
near Montgomery street. One of the
houses is occupied by John Donahue
partner in a wealthy firm in Cleve'
land, Ohio. He represents the inter-
ests which the concern has in this city
and neighborhood. He has a wife aud
foster child, a bright and pref
ty girl about two and half years old.
The child is the daughter OF Mrs
Donahue's sister, Mrs. Henry Quart,
ley. Two years ago when Mrs. Quart
ley was i'll and not expected to live,
she gave her infant to her sister, with
her husbands consent, as he had two
other children, and could not or would
not provide for them, Mrs. Quartley
recovered, and has several times said
that she was delighted that her child
had found a comfortable home with
kind relatives. The little ones foster
parents are devotedly attached to her.
The first intimation that Mrs. DOna~
hue had that the parents OF the child
intended regaining possession Of her
adopted daughter was on Saturday,
when her sister, Mrs. Quartley, was
several times seen duung the alters
noon in the neighborhood Of the
house, but she did not call upon Mrs.
DOnahue No effort was made by her
to take the child away, but her actions
awakened suspicion.
Opposite Rudderrow place is large
dwelling which stands 10 the centre Of
handsomely decorated plot. OF
ground. Mrs. Donahue, with her
adopted daughter, was looking at the
lawn and shrubbery in this place yes
terday afternoon. Their backs were
turned to their own home. Mr..
james Crandall was standing on the
stoop of his residence, which adioius
that of Mr.. DOnahue, when he saw a
man stealing on tiptoe across the
street. Mr.. Crandall watched him as
he was moving directly toward Mrs.
Donahue and the child. The fellow,
unobserved by them, stole up until he
was directly behind Mrs. Donahue.
Then he quickly stopped and looked in
the child's face, evidently to make
certain that it was the child he was
seeking. In a second the little girl
was in his arms, and he darted toward
Montgomery street. Mr.. Crandall was
after him before Mrs Donahue could
give any alarm. As the man turned
into Montgomery street Mr.. Crandall
was close at his heels. The fugitive
turned and threatened to kill his pur-
suer and made motion as if to draw
his pistol. Mr.. Cra1dall hesitated for
a moment, but quickly resumed the
pursuit, and was rapidly Overtakine
the fellow. when be again stopped and
turned and, repeating his threat,
showed his revolver.
A STRUGGLE FOR THE CHILD.
Mr.. Crandall closed with the fellow,
who drew his pistol and would have
used it but for the timely arrival Of
Bridget Murphy, one of Mrs. Dona-
hue's servants. She is a powerful
young woman, and before the child
stealer was aware of her approach she
had jumped on his back, and, clasp.
ing her arms tightly about him, held
him until Mr.. Crandall went to her
aid. They threw the man on his back,
but he fought desperately, and with
his left arm held the child while he
tried to use his revolver. Mr. Gran
dali had hold of the barrel of the
weapon. A boy came up with base
ball bat, and snatching this, the
plueky servant girl threatened to brain
the abduotor il he did not give up the
child and the pistol. He, however
though PROSTATE, clung to both until
large crowd had assembled. Then
the fellow. thoroughly exhausted, was
overpOwered, the little girl was Sc
cured and he was disarmed.
The man was Henry Quartley, the
child's father. His eyes flashed with
rage as he shouted at his sister In.
law, who had the child clasped in her
arms, IN have that child yet" No
attempt was made co arrest him. The
little one is now closely guarded to
prevent it from again falling into the
I handq of tie fathar