The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-02-14
A MOTHERS MISERY
Midnight Transaction in a Justices
Court.
Painful Scene OF the Eeparation OF q
Mother and Her Child,

NEW YORK, February 7.-Mr. George
Martin, a wealthy resident, and owner OF
the Martin House, near the third landing,
Clifton, L. L, has lately had trouble with
his wife, comely woman thirty years old,
but looking much younger. They wee
married eight years ago, and have had
five children. Three of them are dead,
boy about seven and Minnie, two years old,
still live. Mrs. Martin, it is said, was In
the habit of absenting herself from home
for days, and sometimes for weeks at
time. Mr.. Martin, however. always took
her back, until about five weeks ago, when
she took the boy with her, leaving the
little girl behind. It could not be ascer-
tanned whittier she had gone, but
it is supposed she came to this city. Mr..
Martin gave instructions to Mr.. and Mrs.
Ellis, his bar-keeper and house-keeper, not
to allow Mrs. Martin to enter the house, and
under no circumstances to permit her to see
her child. On Tuesday afternoon he came
to New York. Mrs. Martin must have been
in concealment in Staten Island on that
day and learned of his departure, and also
of his intention of not returning home un-
til midnight. At nine O'Clock in the even
ing hack was driven up to the Martin
House. In it were Mrs. Martin and friend,
Mrs. Lynch. Mrs. Martin was some
what disguised, so that Mr.. Ellis, who was
behind the bar, did not at first recog-
nize her as she entered the saloon. SIS
Polly up stairs?" she asked. Polly is Mrs.
Ellis first name. Mr.. Ellis mechanically
answered "Yes," and it was only after
Mrs. Martin had passed up stairs that he
remembered that he ought not have let her
in. Mrs. Martin hurried into the bedroom
where little Minnie was lying asleep in the
crib, attended by Mrs. Ellis. The mother
rushed to the crib, took up her child, and
without waiting to dress it, snatched a
shawl, and wrapping that around the little
form rushed out of the house. The shawl
she took belonged to Mrs. Ellis.
The latter was too much sur
prised to interfere until Mrs. Martin had
gained the street. Then she rushed after
her, shouting ..Stop thief" In the street
she was met by Mrs. Lynch, who kept her
back until Mrs. Martin had entered the
hack with her child. Then Mrs Lynch
hastily sprung into the vehicle, which
was rapidly driven away. Mr.. and
quarters to have the hack stop
ped, and received answer it could not
be done unless some charge of larceny
could be brought against Mrs. Martin. Mrs.
Ellis then bethought herself of the shawl,
and made charge of petit larceny against
Mrs. Martin. On this complaint an officer
was dispatched to overtake the fugitives,
and he found them in the waiting-room of
the Lampkinsville landing waiting for the
II O'Clock boat to bring them to this city.
The mother was holding the child in her
arms. The officer arrested Mrs. Martin,
and notwithstanding her tears and protes-
tations obliged her to go with him to
Dunn's Hotel before Justice Kullmann,
where Mr.. and Mrs. Ellis swere
awaiting her. The Justice detained
them until midnight until Mr..
Martin arrived from New York. The JUS
tice then opened Court. Mrs. Ellis stated
that she had preferred the charged of petit
larceny only to prevent Mrs. Martin from
leaving the Island with the child. She
now withdrew the complaint. Mr.. Martin
demanded that little Minnie be returned to
him. The poor woman, still clasping her
child in her arms, begged hard to be al
lowed to retain it, but the Justice told her
she would have to apply to Court for pos
session OF the child, as she had no right to
abduct it. He ordered her to give up the
child, and on her refusing to do so,
ordered the constable present
to take it from her. A pain.
full scene ensued-mother and daughter
clinging to each other desperately-and
when the officer finally wrenched the little
girl from its mothers arms and handed
her over, sobbing and crying, to the father
the poor woman was seized with violent
fit of Mysteries. Her shrieks reused the
inmates of the hotel. Mr.. Martin took the
child home, where it is now being more
carefully guarded. Mrs. Martin remained
in the hotel all night, and was seen il
Staten Island yesterday morning. After
that it is not known what became of her.