The sun., 1893-07-16
GIVE UP HER CHILDY NEVER!
MRS. SCHMIDT sAYsBBE PREFERS TO
sTAT IN PRISON FORhVER.

sTAT IN PRISON FoRhTER.
justice Cuiien Decides that she Cannot
Leave jail Untii she Gives Her ID ,ugh-
Ter Up-A Sequel to Schmtdts Divorce.
Helene Schmidt Is a prisoner in the Ray
mond street jail In Brooklyn because she re-
fuses TO give UP to her former husband their
four-year-old daughter Elizabeth. Mrs
Schmidt has been in jail for two weeks up to
this time. and she may stay there Indefinitely
II her present state Of mind continues
About three weeks ago tho woman's hue-
band. Albert Schmidt. secured a decree OF alb
solute divorce In the City Court During the
proceedings Mrs. Schmidt was always accom-
panied in court by bright little girl. She
was constantly caressng the little one. and
tho child seemed to be exceedingly fond OF
her. For the father the little one seemed to
care nothing. aud che cried several times
when he approached her. After the divorce
had been granted both the mother and the
father asked for the custody OF the child. The
Judge decided that Mr. Schmidt was the
proper person to take care OF Elizabeth and
gave him custody Of her. On the day this de-
cision was announced Elizabeth was with her
mother as usual. The next day. when Schmidt
called for his daughter. Mrs. Schmidt nbso-
lutely refused to give her up. An order from
the Court was then secured by the father. but
Mrs. Schmidt refused to obey II. Finally
warrant was issued for her arrest on charge
Of contempt An ofaoer found her and the
child at homo and took them both to court.
There was pitlful scene when the child was
forclbly taken away from the mother and
handed ever to her father. Mr.. Schmidt left
the court room in triumph as soon ms he got
possession OF the child. The mother followed
him out OF court into tho street imploring him
to give her back tho little one. Schmidt wao
obdurate and only laughed at her
Mrs. Schmidts pleadngs attracted q largo
crowd about her In the street. In the crowd
she soon found plenty OF sympathizers.
Before Schmidt knew what had happened
half dozen men had jumped on him and
the little girl had been snatched from his
arms. The child was quickly given to the
,nothor. who hastened away IN one direction
E6s ths eHwd chased the sIseSS
Schmidt took the child nobody knows. Eiin-
Another warrant was Immediately issued for
MIRA: schmidt: and she was % again brought light into to
ana to fhHM Tn'
woman said that II would XIII her to be SEP;
aratad from tho child. and that she would
wac. Practically she had no 'defense to the
contempt proceedinGs. She was ordered to
no to to Se un
she delivered the child up to Schmidt and pay
The legality Of this order was questioned.
and Lawyer Courtney, who appeared for Mrs.
Schmidt obtained writ OF habeas corpus In
argued before Justice Cullen. Yesterday the
Justice gave his decision. He upheld the oSder
g tns VIII ana IN IN
A sun reporter called at the Raymond street
jail yesterday afternoon and had an interview
old. tall. and with long black hair and black
eyes which were ,n red iIom Yesping h,,v
right new; | win not tell where NY baby Is;
her fists together and glared llercely at the
interior Of her little apnartm1aept; pndt1a ,,n.,.,o,
The girl is my own my daughter: love her
for ker like mother. No one in the world can
save those trust Implicitly knows where She
Ia. They have my order to never give her NJ:
the e1 woman's mi; eyes M blazsd triunphantiy @ "NN
o .snS abs. xSs Shep
tss III seEf beth give her S up pf they S0 viii iet
m out. but what happiness would there be for
here keep the child away from him. and with
God'a help Will remain mattyr ,,1 1t Is hard
% bring 9 myseif i to Abuse him. in justice to % my.
seiE however. I will say that hc Is not tit per-
son to have the bringing UP OF my child in his
hands He never cared for tho child any way.
and 1t is not the child but my misery that he
now seeks
"He knows my great love for the baby. and.
coward that he Is, attacks mo through her. 1t
10 terrible 10 think OF helng In such place as
this. and sometimes blame myself, INT would
Ibo here II l had not been neglected and
abused No! say Albert never did treat
me right and God in heaven knows it," and
the woman burst into tears.
There Is nothing further for me to say
about this matter" she continued nitcr
weeping spell. Il have been here two weeks
now although 1t seems like two years. md am
getting hardened 10 It, Tho disgrace aud
shame hurt me most at first but when q wo-
man has gone through what have she defes
the world. and secures grain OF peace In the
knowledge Of her own Innocence. ! repeat. l
will stay hero forever before ! give up my
baby. Never. never. never shall my husband
have her" and tho woman turned around and
walked into her cell.
The matron says that Mrs. Schmidt is a
model prisoner and gives her tho least trouble
OF any OF her charges. She Is gentle and kind
to the unfortunates with whom she has to as
eociate, and all the prisoness think good
deni Of hor.
Lawyer Courtney will not cease his efforts to
secure the discharge Of his client The decision
OF Justice Cullen will proha bly, settle the case
80 far as the courts 90. leaving the only hope
Of the woman's release In Schmidts resIenlng
ali claim to the child.