New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-02
| NINE .DISS DEBAR CONFESSES.
ONLY ONE OF THE CHILDREN HER OWN.
AN EXCITING SCENE IN THE TONES coUkr-rhH
rv,o GIRLS PUT IN mr. GERRY's CARE.

EXCITING SCENE IN ihE AVS~' ~~
Two GIRLS PUT TX Mr. GERFYs CARE.
An interesting phase in the life and adventures OF
Madame DIss Dsbar,' which was totally unexpected
to the publc came up in tho Tombs court yesterday
she declared under oath before Police Justice koreth,
that the child Lola Alice. was not her own oaugh'er'
and that she had adopted Alice when she was o>o!'
No new husband brought to light and this state
mcnt OF the mediums may be true on the theory tna'
ont Of many lies this may be the exception that proves
her rule of Justification. The occasion was nearing
sd,onned from last week. TO inquire whether Madame
Ann O,DeIla Fdtha Lola Mcssant Diss Debar, etc.,
etc and her partner, General Dlss Debar were tho
nroper people to have custody OF the TWO chiloren'
lola Alice Messant and Julia Dss Debar, who have
been I'm the care OF the Society for the prevention Oh
Cruelty 10 Children for the last few days.
The hearing opened at 0 80 a. IN. Those present
were Jobn n Townsend and ex-senator Boyd, who
anneared for the Dss Debars and Commodore Elordge
It Gerry and Mr. Hummel who represented the society,"
The gallant Commodore first addressed JUSTICE Nil
breth holding tho complaint under one arm Mr'
Gerry said that the hearing was to consider the proper
custody of the two children held by the society he
had affdavits made by George T. c. Solomon, their
uncle. and Mr. Stocking, of the society. Mr.. Town
send said that his clients wanted an explanation
Madame Dlss Debar had been placed in the Tombs
tbroucb no fault of hers but while there she had taken
caro- Of the children. They could produce man In
court James L. Corr, who had received from Madame
piss Dollar money for that purpose.
Justice Klbreth-You mistake the question at ISSUE
think It is not question Of money, but OF morality
The complaint is that people are not morally the
proper guardians for the children.
Mr.. Townsend-It is strange that the society should
undertake the care OF these children. supposed that
the society charge OF children whose parents were
unable to care them Because Madame DissDebar Is
a sprituast is che unfit to take OF her chdrenl
THE LEGAL QUESTION AT ISSUE
Commodore Gerry stopped this by explaining tho
law The society was not on trial, but the point
was whether the of the children came under tho
section OF the Penal Code which applies to infants
"found in q condition in which their morals are
likely TO be injured" Tho complaint was that the
woman was living in open adultery, was an inmate
OF the city prison and that the children were homeless
Mr.. Townsend-We have a lot OF Comstocks and Ell
bridge T. Gerry institutions which prosecute people who
are down. 1t may be a question OF money. A lot OF
so-caed friends OF Luther r. Marsh are determined to
drive this poor woman TO the wall.
Mr.. GerTy-I have not seen Mr. Marsh for month
Here Madame DIss Debar announced that sho
wanted TO 60 the stand. She testified that she
had lived with tho General since 1870. Joseph
H. Diss Debar was the father of the younger child.
Lola Alice fifteen years old and Julia, called
Toto, SIX years and five months. Commodore Gerry
then got what he had evidently been anxious for,
a chance to ross-examne the ponderous medium
In answer to his questions she testified that her chill
she had sent man $50 a month TO take caro- of them.
Q.-who IS the father Of your elder chlldi Al de-
elmo to
Justice Kibreth-You can refuse II It would
degrade cr!mnate you. Alt cannot degrade me-
Q.-Would It crlminate youi Alt would not am
under oath and would die rather than tell lie
MAKING A CONFESSION.
The interest was intense. Tho medium turned
toward the kindly Judge and asked: "Must 1 an
You must answer replied Justice Kilbreth
kindly For moment she looked up and twisted
her hands nervously. Then with some emotion sho
1t is not my child at all. She was little wait. am
sorry for this for love her though she were my own
child took her from dsgraeed parents when she was
three old and have cared for her ever since Here
Your Honor is the burial certificate Of the child Of Paul
Noel Messant and myself. She was buried In the Pere
la Chase in Paris and She is the child Solomon mssook
for Lola. Her father and mother lived within stones
throw OF this building Tho mother is dead, but the
father is alive and drunkard They had other children,
is nothing for to do there Mr. Gerry You
would not get their names II you asked them
o.-why can't Lola read or wrtei A.-strangc that
should letter from her here She did not go TO
school because she was in delicate health have re-
celpts from doctors for $500.
QHave you employed the child In spiritualismi
A.-Never.
o-Nor in these miraculous picturesi A.--Never.
Q.-What church did Lola attendi A.-Now and then
Catholic church.
o.-How long since has she attended church, A.
Not months but have long read the Bible
In our house. 1 member Of Dr.. Heber Newtons
church.
Q-Are you married TO General" Diss Debari A.
I not
This ended the testimony for tho I" Pnncess.n
General Dss Debar took the stand and corroborated
her testimony ia some particulars, but without say
ing anything of interest After he was excused |
Judge Klbreth remanded the children into the custody
of the society for the present. The Diss Debars
were taken back 10 the Tombs. Mr.. Marsh was not
present.
Mr. Hummel got from Justice Kilbreth carly IN the
morning a writ TO prevent the D!ss Debars from ro
gaining their liberty by giving bail II they succeed
In getting bondsmen before their trial they will be
arrested on a charge Of grand larceny. Messre. |
Townsend and Boyd have sent letter to William ]. |
c. Berry, foreman of the Grand Jury, asking him TO
consider certain facts. This suggestion is made be- |
cause they know that the testimony taken before
the committing magistrate garbed by the press
Mr.. Berry IS asked TO call Mr.. Marsh before him
read Mr. Marsh's testimony before Justice Kilbroth.