Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-12-01
SHE WEAKENS.
Mrs, Julia A. Woodbury. DiscIoses
Whereabouts Of Her Missing Child.
Committed For Contempt. Stone Walls and
Iron Bars Loosen Her Tongue.


ooain before Judge Hall, yesterday, at the
aonrt house. this time on a writ of habeas
oorn,Is on the petition of Charles A
spaulding and wife. 1t vii be remem-
bored as the history of this case that about
nine year ago, Mrs. Julia A. Woodbury.
r,,.ced her infant daughter Maud with the
standings to board; that for the first
vear and "A half she paid for its keeping
and care. but has made no payment since
that time, although the Spauldings have
rent if. cared for it as their own and be-
come attached to it, as they would one
If their own. May "a of this year, Mrs
Woodbury. sought possession of the child
and brought writ before this court for
its recovery. Upon full hearing of the
facts the court intimated that when the
mother had paid the Spauldings for the
sunnort of the child, amounting to be-
tween $500 and 5000, it would make a
decree giving the mother the custody of
the child. On June Mrs Woodbury.
had failed to pay anything to the Spauld-
ings and the court thereupon decreed that
the child might exercise her own free will
as TO whom she would live with, and the
child chose to go with the Spauldings
The court further decreed that the child
sbould be allowed to visit it's mother at
certain times in the year, and that the
mother should not seek to gain possession
Of il except by legal process On the 22d
of Sept. last, the child was brought to its
mothers in this city by Mr.. Spaulding
for visit and when he returned for it
the next evening. it had been carried
away. and although he saw Mrs. Wood
bury subsequently, he was unable to get
possession of the child or even see it. The
petition of the Spauldings, yesterday, repre-
sents that the child is restrained of her
liberty against her will, and asks that
Julia A. Woodbury. be cited to appear and
answer for such restraint and detention.
A writ was accordingly issued by the
court, and Officer Henry Morse appre-
hended and brought in Mrs. Woodbury.
W. H. Fisher appeared for the petitioners
Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were present and
testified as to the visit of the child to her
mother, Sept. o. and that the child went
very reluctantly, appearing to fear that
something would happen to her.
Mrs. Woodbury. was represented by her
counsel, H. NJ. Heath and F. K. Southland,
and Mr. Heath stated in open court that
they had advised their client to disclose
the place in which the child was, and had
told her that if she was not satisfied with
this opinion, to get some other counsel
The court intimated that it would re-
quire Mrs Woodbury. to be sworn and
testify touching the whereabouts of the
child
Mrs. Woodbury. was thereupon sworn
and in answer to interrogatories by MIR.
Fisher, testified that the child was brought
to her by Mr.. Spaulding in September,
done wrong in not bringing the child for
q visit during vacation instead of waiting
until school commenced; that Spaulding
said the child was to go back, Sunday,
so as to go to school, which had COM
menced; that she told him not to come
early for it, When Spaulding came, Sun
day night, for the child, she was out. but
was at home when he came at clock
that evening, and refused to let him in.
Ques.-Whether or not you have, in
defiance of, and contrary to the decree OF
this court, carried the child away on
secreted her and now have her? Ans
Yes, sir. | was told it would be all right.
didn't understand the law. was told
could hold the child
CUES. -Where is the child at present:
Ans-I told Mr. Heath didn't wish t.
tell where the child was.
Ques.-I ask you now where she is;
Ans.-I don't want to tell where she is
The Court-Mrs Woodbury., you art
obliged to tell. Twill give you this option
You may answer where the child Is, or
will permit you to go on sufficient bal
with an officer to return the child. Ont
of these things l shall compel you to do
Mrs. Woodbury-To tell where she Il
or to
The Court-To tell where she is or pro
cure the child and restore her to thes'
plaintiffs.
Mrs, Woodbury-Well, don't want Il
give the child up; / want to keep TIT
child
y The CORTLAND you refuse to disclose
Mrs. Woodbury-The child is happy ant
contented and has never cried tear TO
them.
The Court-You have violated deere
oi this court and defied its authority, AM
consequently are liable to punishment.
Mrs. Woodbury. don't think the.
ought to insult me when went out
see the child.
The Court will ask you once NOR