The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-05-29
MRS. DE SABLA'S QUEST.
Her Daughter Was Not Stolen
From a Convent.
Captain W. ] Russell Was the Girls Legal
Guardian ard Removed Her From
Divorced Mothers Reach

The young girl who was reported by a
dispatch from st. Louis, Mo, to have been
stolen by her father from a convent in this
city and taken to the Convent of tie Sacred
Heart in the southern city is Charlotte
Mabel Russell, daughter of Captain w. j.
Russell of the Pacific Coast Steamship Com
pany.
An investigation yesterday showed that,
instead Of having been stolen, young Char
lotte had been removed by her father, who
is her legal guardian, with the knowledge
of the Mother SuperiOress and under the
direction of his attorney, Judge McCeney.
About year ago Mrs. Russell obtained a
divorce from her husband by default but
he was appointed by the court guardian of
the daughter. Last December he placed
her in the Academy of the Sacred Heart,
corner Of Ellis and Franklin streets, where
the girl was quite happy. But her father
always felt uneasy about her While away
on his voyages along the coast. He wished
TO lave her away from san Francisco. know
ing that the mother was making determined
Efforts TO get possession OF her
CAPTAIN RUSSELL DECIDES.
He therefore conferred with his counsel,
and decided about two months ago to re-
move his child TO a similar establishment
of the same order in st. Louis, which be
did without making the fact public That
he was acting credltably toward his daugh-
ter may be seen by the very fact Of having
her educated in these academies, WHICH are
considered as the most respectable and
hlgh-priced Of Catholic converts in the
country. In this city she was receiving an
education which only the more fortunate
young ladies can have.
Charlotte's mother knew that her girl was
q hoarder IN the academy on Franklin
street, but was surprised to learn of her re-
moyal TO some point unknown to her
friends. After months of anxiety and the
eXpendl ture Of considerable money in tTac-
ing her daughters whereabouts Mrs. de
Saba, who had meanw lille married Z. de
Saba, wholesale commission merchant on
California street, heard that Charlotte was
IN the Maryvlle Convent of the Sacred
Heart, St. Louis, and without a days de-
lay set out Immediately TO bring her home.
IAN OUTRAGEOUS LIE"
Mrs. de Saba, accompanied by her sec
ond husband, arrived in St. Louis Wednes-
day morning, and shortly afterward Mrs.
de Sa Ola called on Attorneys McEntire and
Stark in that city and secured a writ of
habeas corpus to compel the superioress of
tile convent to deliver the child 10 the Gus
tody of her mother. The writ was issued
by Judge Withrow and was made return
able yesterday
Just as soon as il was served telegram
Was sent to Captain RuSSells counsel here
asking for instructions. \ reply was I'M
medlaIeiy wired back, instructing the su-
perloress TO engage counsel and resist the
proceedings Instituted by Mrs. de Saba,
which were represented as illegal, as the
girl was there by the desire of her guardian.
Mr.. de Sabla's father when asked yester-
day for an explanation, replied it was
matter over which he had no control and
he did not care to discuss it.
Ills sen had married Mrs. Russell some
time ago, and she desired to have her child
IN their home; otherwise, the De Saba
family Lad no connection with the matter.
1t IS an outrageous lie" said Judge Nc
Caney. RuSseirs attorney, that my client
had stolen his daughter from the convent,
or removed her from the jurisdict Of the
court without its consent He had per-
feet right to do what he has done"
Captain Russell is on voyage at present,
and IS not aware Of the lrouble.