Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-09
Matte Lawson Relates a Tale
of Ill Treatment.
How She Obtained a Home in
the Country.
She Tells of Her Escape From Her
Adopted Parents.
Her Mother Says She Was Covered With
Bruises When She Returned-The
Story Discredited.

story OF alleged 1ll-treatment OF a
little girl was brought to light yesterday.
Mrs. Mary Lawson, whose name has
been before the public more than once,
brought her 11-year-old daughter down
town, and told story of ill-treatment
that does not meet with belief among
some Of those who know all the parties
concerned.
A HERALD reporter called upon Mrs.
Lawson yesterday evening at her home,
small and scantily-furnishe cottage at
No. 1716 st. John street, near the river.
She stated that about month ago she
had been very sick, and the attention of
Mrs. Ducommun, the president of the
Ladies' Benevolent Society, hav-
ing been called to her con-
dition, that lady had, as a
measure of relief, requested Humane
Officer M. V. Wright to find home for
her child, a girl, II years of age. On
Wednesday evening, April 10Th, Officer
Wright called at her house, accompanied
by a lady and gentleman, both of whom
hid behind the house, while he went in
to interview her. Entering the room
without announcing himself, the officer
stated that he had made arrangements
with a couple who lived near Newhall
to adopt her child. AS she was sicklv
woman and unable to take proper care
OF the child, he said that the best thing
she could do was to let the girl 60. Ii
she refused to do so, he threatened to
arrest the girl for vagrancy and have her
committed to the Boys and Girls Home
in San Francisco. Mrs. Lawson said
that she agreed to the proposal if the
couple would promise to give her good
home, and at this juncture Officer
Wright called the visitors in. The lady
then proceeded to tell Mrs. Lawson all
about the fine home she intended to
provide for her daughter, whom she
was very anxious to adopt after look
ing her over, and as an induce
ment to the child, said that she
wanted child to drive out with her
every day, and keep her company. The
husband then added that he wanted the
child to be more of companion for his
wife than anything else.
These inducements, made in the hear
ing of the child, caused her to be very
anxious to leave her mother, and in a
few minutes she had made all her prep
aratlons and was eager to accompany her
future guardians, and the matter was
satisfactorily arranged, Before the party
left the house, Officer Wright informed
Mrs. Lawson, il answer to her questions,
that she could call at Mrs. Goldstein's 8
loG.ging-house on Main street and say
goodbye to her child in the morning,
before the train left. After talking with
the strangers, however, he returned and
said that it would be better for all par
ties concerned if Mrs. Lawson would see
the child for the last time in the chiefs
Office at the police station. This she
refused to do, but as the officer insisted
upon it, she at last consented. After the
party had gone, Mrs. Lawson says she
thought the matter over and came to the
conclusion that she had been forced into
the agreement. She immediately
began to repent of the bargain
and after passing night of sleepless
suspense and anxiety, she rose early,
and at O'Clock in the morning paid
visit to the Rev. Father Adam and other
prominent citizens, with the view of in
teresting them on her behalf and obtain
ing their assistance in her efforts to re-
gain the custody of her child.
After hearing her story, however, all
refused to interfere, and she sought the
chiefs office to see her child, as she
thought, for the last time. The party
met her according to agreement, and
she accompanied them to the depot and
saw them depart on the l 40 p. M. train
for Newhall.
On Thursday afternoon, April 1st last,
her little daughter returned, much to
her astonishment, reaching the house
about 4 O'Clock. On inquiring the cause
of her bedraggied appearance and sud-
den return, the child told story of the
abuse she had received at the hands of
her adopted parents. The little girl
was stripped and examined, and Mrs.
Lawson states that her arms, shoulders
and back and head were found to be
black and bruised from the beatings
which she said had been inflicted by the
woman who had adopted her.
Mrs. Lawson further said that she
asked the stranger, who was henceforth
to assume the responsibility of her
child's welfare, to tell her his name. He
replied that his name was Redley but
she subsequently saw in newspaper
that it was A. S. White; and later still,
she learned from her daughter that his
true name was j. M. Clark. The child
had been sick ever since her return
home, and was about yesterday for the
first time.
The Girls Story.
Such was the story told by Mrs. Law
son, and in order to get at the facts more
fully the reporter asked the child herself
to relate her experiences, which she did
as follows:
my name is Matte Lawson, and /
am II years of age. Three weeks ago
went up to Newhall with Mr. and Mrs.
j. M. Clark, they having promised to
adopt me and provide me with good
home. Mrs. Clark promised that l
should go out riding in buggy with
her every day, and said she wanted me
to be companion for her. When we
got to Newhall we drove up into the
mountains to Ophir camp. A long
way from any house, about two
miles and a half from the nearest,
think, we came to tent, which was the
fine home had been led to expect. [
was told that my duties would consist
of making the bed, washing the dishes
and doing odd jobs round the tent, and
these things was required to do while
| was there.
"On the third day l was sitting with
Mrs. Clark in the tent learning to read.