Evening star., 1893-11-21
w AN TED THE CHILD.
There Was a Scene in Court Today Over
an Infant.
Mrs. Penn Had the Theatrical Craze
ed the Wedding Presents.

In the General Term room. before Chief
Justice Bingham, this morning there was
quite scene. On Saturday last Mrs. Name
LaZelle Penn, by Mr.. Jno. n. Oliver, filed a
bill for divorce from Alexander Grey Penn,
in which she asked the custody of the child
about twenty-seven months old). who, she
charged, had been. on October %, forcibly
taken from her parents residence, DO c
street northwest, by the respondent and it's
whereabouts he refused to divulge. She
asked an order requiring the production Of
the child. An order was made directing the
child to be produced before Chief Justice
Bingham yesterday morning and the case
was then continued until today.
This morning when the court opened the
petitioner quite handsome girl. tastefully
attired in dark dress. black hat. with white
velvet trimmings, appeared with her father
and mother and counsel. Mr.. j. Mcdowell
Darlington.
When the case was called Mr.. Oliver
stated that the marshal had been unable
to serve the order
Mr.. Darlington said the child was in the
building and sent for it.
In a few moments several ladies entered,
followed by the father with the child in
his arms.
old when the mother rushed to the child
and attempted TO take it from the father,
cxclaiming, My darling baby, let me have
my baby"
Getting her hands under the child's arms,
she attempted to raise 1t from the fathers s
arms, but he firmly held it, with one hand
in the chi!ds Jap. Finally, the chief JUS
uce directed the mother TO be quiet, and
Mr.. Bali, the crier of the court, going to the
party. soon ended the scene. Mr.. Oliver
stated that he was prepared to go on. Mr..
Darlington said that he had an answer,
and few affidavits.
Mr.. Oliver said he would object to the
afdavits being read.
The court then continued the hearing
until 10 o'clock tomorrow.
The petitioner and her friends then left,
and after few minutes, the father, with
the child and friends, left by another door.
The answer says that the charges are
gross eXaggerations; that he was married
November %. 1890, and on the same even
ing he left for Philadelphia and went to
bridgeport. Conn, returning in three or
four weeks, and after living at 5l7 * street
went to live with his father-in-law, he
agreeing to ray ten Eotes for S25 per month,
and says that she proposed to pawn the
wedding presents and he went with her.
received the money and passed 1t to her
He denies that he ever struck her or drew
pistol on her, and the only occasion he
can recall was that on September 20 1892
she came to him for consent to go as an
actress in some sttoling company, and on
his refusal she became violent and threat
ened to have him discharged from his gov
ernment position. He denies that she is
sick and states that she appeared crazy
on the subject of theatricals. and on Sep
tember p. 1882, against his remonstrance
she Joined theatrical company called
the Girls of California" with which she
remained three weeks. and when she re-
turned she said she had no love for him
and If she could obtain divorce she would
marry BILLY. her manager" on October
> he states ne received a letter from his
wlte and the next day she left with the
company for NiikeSbarrc, Pa, and he
took charge of the child, and after commu-
nic2tiHG with his parents, placed the child
IN charge Of his mother. and he denies
th&t ne made any attempts To conceal the
Child's Whereabouts