Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-10
WHAT MR.. SMALL SAYS.

HC dDu pdi bitti 1NPcAN -
which was made Sunday morning, attract
ed considerable attention, and yesterday
upon the arrival of Mr.. Small in the city,
he was sought out by reporter ana the
particulars Of the case learned. MI Smaii
is middle aged gentleman and has the
appearance of quite conservative busl-
ness man. He has been resident OF THIS
state for the past thirty years, heavy
land owner, and until recently president OF
the Ford City Town company. The hrst
that he knew of the abduction was from
the report of the affair in the EAGLE, read
by him Yesterday morning at Emporla.
1.-THE reports as published comes mostly
from the other side and and are as any
one, who is in the least familiar with the
circumstances, knows false. In the first
place, [ never abducted the child and here
is the paper to prove that little Irene was
adopted to me by her mother, Mrs. DAVID
SON." He here produced the following
COPY of the records Of the Probate Court
of Ford county:
In the matter Of The adoption OF Irene
Davidson:
Now upon this 18th day of February, 1883,
this cause comes on to be hearh upon the
application of Charlotte Davidson, TO De
allowed to relinquish all right to her
minor child, Irene Davidson. and upon the
application of Reuben Small TO aQopG sucH
child. The said Charlotte Davidson, sad
minor child, Irene Davidson, and Reuben
Small present in court.
Whereupon it appearing to the court
that the said Charlotte Davidson, the
mother of said child consents TO such
adoption by Reuben Small and that s.ch
consent is free and voluntary, and IL iuf-
ther appearing that said Reuben oInali IS
DESTROYS OF adopting said minor as MS
child and heir; it is therefore by this court
declared that said Irene Davidson IS and
shall be the child and heir Of said Reuben
Small No further business appearing
court adjourned. AUG. CRUMBAlGH,
Probate Judge.
"About eight years ago | went to FORD
county," MIR Small said, land kept there
ranch. want there principally to give
nv three sons start in business. Mrs.
Davidson, that now is, came there shortly
afterwards and was my housekeeper. She
was married some five years ago TO man
named James Davidson and after mar
ried life of about two weeks he deserted
her, and she in course OF time Obtained
divorce from him upon these grounds.
Before this divorce was granted, however,
| the child was adopted to me, and not alter
wards, as they have stated
After the child came into my possession
| gave Mrs. ID. $500 in money upon her
relinquishing all claims. The little one
| remained with her mother for some time
| after the papers were made out, and 1 paid
| her 81 a week for boarding and keeping
| her. When she herself fell sick
paid the doctor bill aud in fact have
spent upon her full $1,000. About nine
months ago | saw an effort was about to
be made to take Irene from me so | went
| to New York with her. There I remained
| for about four months returned to Wlch-
| tia and took up my residence at No. 3229
South Fourth avenue where | was most OF
the time until three weeks ago when /
went to Ford county. During my absence
entrusted the child to the keeping OF
Mrs. Eaton on North Main and from her
care, it will be remembered, that the child
| was taken.
1.-The child was evidently averSe to going
| with her From Mr.. Comfy who was an
eve witness to the affair as well as from
! other men who We're standing
| in front of the store / learned the particu-
| lars of the abduction. Irene with another
| little girl was standing on the front door
steps of the drug store when approached
! by her mother. The little thing refused
to 90 with her, saying several times 81
won't go with you" Mr.. Comfy not
| knowing the circumstances came from the
rear of the store with picture card tC
coax her to GO with her mother, But be
! fore he had reached her, Crabtree told hel
"to pick her up and take her away;' she
did this, put her into hack and was
driven to the depot.
There is no truth in my asking Mrs
Davidson repeatedly to marry me: was
a married man at the time myself. II is
my intention to regain possession of the
child and 10 punish some persons who
! have meddled themselves too much in the
affair. She is my legally adopted child.
can give her good home and bring her VI
properly and this intend doing"