Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-07-10
A REUNITED FAMILY.
Judge Hagner as Peacemaker-R. w
POlkinhOrn and Family Reconciled.

In the habeas corpus case of the Polkinhorn
child. whose father, c. II. Pokinhorn. seeks to
recover from the mother, testimony was given
before Justice Hagner yesterday afternoon
principally on the allegation that the father
was not fit person to have charge Of the child.
The father testified as to the difficulties be-
tween himself and wife, and acknowledged
that over year since he had sometimes drank
to excess, but denied that he had ill treated his
wife in any way. He stated that he had alb
stained from liquor since August last and was
now a member of the Y.M.C.A, the Foundry
NJ. E. Church, and some temperance organiza-
ton, and that he was perfectly willing to live
with his wife and treat her properly.
Other testimony was given to show that he
was a proper party to have the custody of the
child.
The respondent Mrs. Polkinhorn. testified
that ehe left the petitioner about August Is on
account of his drunkenness and noE-support.
They had had Il talk about divorce, and he said
that he had been to see Judge Weed and adj
vioed her to go to him also. He then offered
her money and she refused to take it. The
child was now sckly, having just recovered
from the mumps. She then described her GO
ing to the house of the grand parents July 2,
when she took the child, who said he wanted
TO go with her. her husband asked her to re-
main, and she refused and stated that she
would return to him when he provided her
with home. She was glad to hear of his
reformation and would do all she could for
him. In the seven years Of their married life
she had had TO return horne five times
The court suggested that there was no reason
why these people should live apart, and ad-
journed the hearing, advising that the parties
confer together. Court then adjourned
AN UNANSWERED LETTER.
This morning the parties to the case, a num-
Der of their relatives and friends and the coun-
| sel-Judge Weed for the father and Messrs c.
NJ. Smith and Vale for the mothcr-were seated
about the room of the District Supreme Court
Last evening the husband sent letter to the
wife looking to reconciliation and stating his
terms. Some of these terms being unaccept-
able to her she did not answer the letter. THIS
morning counsel conferred over the matter,
while the friends of the par ties discussed what
had been done.
JUDGE HAGNER AS PEAcEMAKER.
Judge Hagner took the husband and wife
and the child in controversy into his room and
they talked the matter over. Taking the let
ter of the husband every clause was scru-
tiniZed and some were stricken out and hus-
band and wife were formally reconciled.
While this consultation was in progress the
impression gained ground that the case was
virtually over and the Scriptural quotation,
| blessed are the peacemakers' was called to
| mind About 1890 o'clock the Polkinhorn
| family came from the judges room, and by
their looks those around were assured that the
case was over
Shortly afterward Judge Weed entered the
case as dismissed and the parties left the court
Sergt. Perry, the father of Mrs. Polkinhorn,
offered his hand to MIR. Polkinhern. which was
| taken. and the reconciliation is looked upon
by friends Of the parties as complete.