The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-05
lAMOTHER'S DARLINGS
Linda Denison Pleads for Her
Children's Care.
An INTERESTING DIVORCE CASE.


A pathetic scene occurred yesterday afternoon
In Judge Ichteuberg's court when father ana
mother were suing for the care and custody OF
their two beautiful little girls, of and years.
On March II Linda E. Denison brought suit Tor
divorces from George n. Denison, 70 whom she
vas married In Pennsyivania In 1851 She
alleged cruelty q Z ground for seeking sepaFa-
tion from her husband, and charged him win
hrutally beating her on several occasions, ana
calling her vile names.
Soon after the institution Of her proceedings
for divorce, Mrs Denison got out . restraining
the household furniture He became angry ana
carried OF the two children. stating that he was
going to take them to dinner with him, but he
took them away out on Lake Washington and
lett them in charge of some friends Of his. Ms
Denison became almost frantic at the loss of her
little ones, and begged pitoously for their re-
tsrn and threatened to shoot her husband If he
did nos restore them to her. Next day, March
Is, abe got an order Of court to compel Dcnison
to make known the whereabouts of her chill
drua. Three days later he tried 10 have that or
der sct aside, claiming that his wife was not
proper person to have the care and custody Of
the children
After hearing the evidence, Judge Lichtenbcrg
said: ssThis matter before US il On motion TO
vacate an order made on March o. A complaint
for divorce was filed BY plaintiff on the grounds
Of cruelty and inhuman treatment. The testi-
mony shows that he struck her and otherwise
abased her. On March q we issued an order
cnjosning defendant from removing the house
hold furniture, and requiring him to pay so per
month for the support of the children, and $50
TO enable her to prosecute her suit On March
81 defendant asked to vacate that order, and this
hearing il to determine whether this order shall
be vacated.
ssThe father of the children took them from
their mother against her wishes and regardless
Of her pleadings and profestatioDs. The general
rule is that in the case of infants, especially II
they are girls, to give the mother the care and
custody of the children. To overcome this rule
it is alleged in this that the mother is not
proper person to have charge Of these children.
But i. Ii not sufficient TO say that she is not q
proper person. The proof shows clearly
that she is proper person. 1t is
difficult matter to separate children
from their parents. and especially from their
mother. These little girls were in their mothers
custody, and were taken from her by trick on
the part of Denison. The law does not counten-
ance such acts, and for that reason, If for no
other, she should be given them She says that
she can support them. and her parents will help
her If necessary and il she is not able, the so
month from defendant will materially assist
her. As to the $50 ordered to be paid by Deni-
son, we think that is more than is necessary and
that so will be sufficient
1--WE refuse to ygcate the order, but the father
shall be permitted TO see his children, and we
trust that reconciliation may yet be effected
between the parties. 1t would be best for them
and best for the children. The testimony
shows that Mrs. Denison always triedto help
her husband, and has been devoted wife aud
mother. If possible reconciliation should be
had, If Only for the childrens sake
Court then adjourned, and the mother, happy
III the possession of her fair haired and lovely
little girls, passed out of the room, but before
leaving they kissed their father goodbye, and
then the husband and wife. who were once de-
voted bnt are nov estransed, went their separ-
etc Ways.