The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-28
KIDNAPPED AT AUGUSTA.
A Sensational Fight for Possession of
q Motherless Child.

-
g Motherless Child.
AUGUSTA, GA, Nov. 27.-Augusta had a
social sensation in high life to-day. It was
the kidnapping of little Julia Stovall from
Mrs. Dodd's school, and her removal to At
lanta. She was abducted by her aunt, and
the entire transaction was a family affair.
Little Julia is the daughter Of John Stovall,
who married Miss Jnlia Coles, older sister
of Mrs. Stewart Phinizy of this city, when
Mrs. Stovall, Mr.. Stovalps mother. took
charge OF Julia. Then the child's grand
mother died and she was put under the care
of Miss Nita Stovall, her aunt, now Mrs.
Brantley of Atlanta
THE oHILD's FATHER DISAPPEARS.
In the meantime the father Of the little
girl absconded and she was left entirely to
the care Of her aunt, Mrs Brantley. A few
months ago Julia Seovall csme on a visit TO
her aunt, Mrs. Stewart PhiniEy, In Augusta
and she decided to keep her and rear her
with her own children because Mrs Brant-
ley was not able to give her she education
and comforts which the eaIld deserved.
She applied TO Ordinary Walton of this
county and was appointe1 the chIld's
guardian. Whsn the Atlanta aunt heard
Of It she was quite indignant and on Nov. II
Mrs. Brantley and her brother, Tom
Stovall, made application TO Ordinary Cal
houn in Atlanta for guardianship letters
for Julia Stovall, who on Sept. 7last was
placed under the care of Mrs. Stewart
Phinizy by Ordinary Walton Of this county.
to her grandmother by her father. Whom
the grandmother died the child was left to
Mrs. Brantley and Mr.. Stovall, her aunt
and uncle. Mrs. Brantley further con-
tended that Julia was only allowed to 20 to
Augusta on visit and that she was kept
there.
GUARDIANS APPOINTED.
Ordinary Calhoun held that he bad juris-
diction, as Atlanta was the childs home,
and he appointed Mrs. Brantley guardian.
The child, however, was under the care of
Mrs. Phinizy, her maternal aunt. Soft will
be seen that the two ordinAries appointed
guardians, each claiming Jurisdiction, and
each appointing different guardians. On
Sept. 9, two days after Ordinary Walton
appointed Mrs Stewart Phinizy guardian
| OF the child, Mrs. BrantIeY and Mr.. Stovall
| filed an appeal to Judge Walton's decision
appointing Mrs. Phinizy as guardian, and
the case is now in the superior court and
will be heard In January.
THE KIDNAPPING.
To-day, however, another sensational
cnapCer occurred, showing that the Atlanta
aunt is not willing to wait the laws delay.
The child went. as usual. to the school Of
Miss Dodd, on Broad, below Ebert street,
this morning with her cousin Eliza, Mrs.
Phinizy's own daughter. About 9:15 o'clock,
shortly after school opened, a lady in a
carriage drove to the school and asked Mrs.
Dodd for Julia Stovall, saying abe was
going to take the child out 10 see the expo
sltion. The little girl went with the lady
and jumped 10 the carriage at the door,
which was then very hurriedly driven of.
| When informed about IL fhs first idea that
suggested itself TO Mrs. Phinizy was that
the child had been kidnapped.
WARRANT SWORN OUT.
Stewart Phinizy at once won't to the
court house and swore out warrant against
Mrs. Nita Brantley and Mr.. Stovall, the
paternal aunt and uncle Of the orphan
charging them with kidnapping the, child.
The warrant was placed in the hands of the
officers and telegram was sent to Grove
town to the marshal of that place to inter.
cept the party there in the event that they
were en- route to Atlanta. This was done
but the marshal there having no warrant
the passengers sympashized with Mrs
Brantley and came TO her rescue, closing
the door against the officer. The fugitive
party are said to be safe in Atlanta. The
incident has caused quite a sensation.