The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-10
oNEN IN CONTEMPT.
stional Scenes in Judge
Lfchtenberg's Court.
- AsoucTEo GIRL RETURNED.
.111oe usKay asd Katie BsAlnieA Al
1o1esa Guilty ana Rtnsd-Nsw
Dults-The Bletter.


Ju1es Lichtenberg's court was the
one q weeping and wailing yesterday
Vhon Alice Mckay, the mother. and Mrs.
uS1le Keevan, the foster-mother, struggled
!. r. the possession of Mamie Mckay, the
1fdncsed girl who had been ordered into
muvs for the hearing in the abduction
Giuce Mamie Mckay was abducted by
- mutber and sister on April II and
rYied away to Tacoma, Della Keevan,
80 whom she had been living for the
80 nine years, had not seen her. In
Skodience to the order Of the court. Mrs.
1eKay produced the girl yesterday, and
0ken NrA Keevan arrived she threw her
nms around the girl and wept, and then
- scene began. for Mrs. Mckay, the
sn1o1hef, tried TO tear the girl from Mrs.
Eoovan's arms, assisted by Mrs. Badinich.
II women and girl were crying. while
puty sherifs, haiiiffs and attorneys
epueht to ailay the vigorous outbursts Of
Dofion. Finally the women were separ-
: ~ and Mamie Mckay was seated 70 her
II near Judge Lichtenberg, and the legal
1O1 kAEi kr~ooSoot0A1 - 60AA oSbUS<A4
{ - mother and foster-mother.
HI. McKay's counsel said that she was
1lIinx that Mamie Mckay should be sent
oa cunyent or school, or put into any Inn
1oxtial hands until the court could dispose
r - ease unally. but she did not want
~ eiven to Mrs. Keevan again.
M Keeyan's counsel said that there
- uest love existing between Mrs Kee-
~ and the girl, who had lived - mother
IA daughter for the past nine years, and
r. insisted that she be restored to the
fuoping Of Mrs. Keevan and continued rs
ward of the court. n
Judee Lichtenberg took the girl into his
amber and talked with her privately ~
s her wishes, and then she was placed
ION the witness stand and said that she
l1ufrsd TO return to Mrs. Keevan in prefer
90 to going with her own mother; that
Nh. Keeyan was the only mother she had
ovuR known, and had always treated her.
velI
Judge Lichtenberg then said: Eve find
q facts that on November IS, 1887, the
Hon. Richard A. Jones, chief justice Of the
essritory Of Washington, declared Mamie
! 1IcKav ward Of the court and placed her
= the custody Of John and Della Keevan
until the final disposition of the applica-
Zen Tor wit Of habeas corpus to obtain
poosossion Of said infant. In obedience to
hid order Mamie Mckay was in charge of
the court until April IL. 1891, when the
mother, Alice Mckay, entered the house
q John and Della Keevan. and by force
abducted Mamie Mckay, taking her from
the Jurisdiction Of this court to Pierce
county. and there OBTAINING her. At the
time Of the abduction the case was undis-
posed Of and the court had given no con-
sent TO the removal Of its ward. At the
time Of making Mamie Mckay . ward of
: the court. Alice Mckay was aware Of the
q oeder, and when she abducted Mamie
MeKay abe was assisted BY Katie Budin-
=, hsr d1ushter
~ conclusions of law We find that
1lice Mckay and Katie Budinich are
nilty a contempt Of court"
n. Endsley, counsel for Mrs. Mckay.
As6 r. mitigation that the court consider
- bG1ore abducting her child Mrs.
cKAy sought legal advice and was only
tpilty o. . technical contempt of court,
- there were many extenuating circum-
tnp1g: that she Was mother and acted
M mothers feelings, He asked the
eclgt to be lenient and not lntaict an
emplsry punishment upon his clients.
IL. James Keifer, counsel for Mrs.
koovan. said that Mrs. Mckay knew she
- doing wrong in abducting her child
~ had gone like thief and stole her
oAi1 and took her . prisoner as far AZ
lyaIlup before daring to get out Of the
1ock 10 take the train, and she stifed the
Z. 6Kz{1e. ~~sS s~f -
Ut detection. He said that Mrs. Keevan
~ reared Mamie Mckay from infancy
~ had been . mother to her for nine
I'M. and the court should not take the
lid from the arms that sheltered her in
- hour of need.
Judge Lichtenberg said: "When the
- comes We will finally pass upon the
position Of the child. She has stated
~ privately and in open court, that she
ke9ln going with Mrs. Keevan. It is the
~ of the court to uphold the law, and
- will return her to the possession Of the
Hties to whose keeping she was given by
- predecessors. and direct that Mamie
Aekay be continued as . ward Of the
I'M and placed there until further
eass."
Turning to Mrs. Mckay and Mrs.
adiniqh. Judge Lichtenberg continued:
In. Mckay and Mrs Budinich, you
~ osen adjudged guilty of contempt Of
sart As to you. Mrs. Budinich. were it
- Tor the fact that you stiied the child
Nna your handkerchief, we would not
~ adjudge you guilty of a technical
sempt, but as it is, you will have to
~ Z fine Of IS and half of the costs.
Alice Mckay, with you it is somewhat
lent, but the fact that you returned
eenld into court acts in your favor.
nay Be true that You thought the case
~ dismissed, but you misrepresented
lsess IN your statements TO me that
~ child was being used for improper
oees. You were cautioned against
force IN taking your child, but you
~ TO use violence, and in taking her.
handkerchief over her face TO slide
- efles and carried her off, In this you
great wrong. and you did still
sseF wrong by violating the order of
ourt. fou will he sentenced to pay
Of $50 and half of the costs, and both
~ viii stand committed until the fine
eoss are paid"
hen cautioned them from further IN
mig with the child and said he would
- them severely if they did. He told
that ne would give speedy hear
me writ of ha5eas corpus and dis
me case at an early day.
- :. Mckay was taken back home
xn. keevan, and Mrs. Mckay and
~