The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-09-10
WOMEN FIGHT FOR A BABY.
1t was Born Out of WediOck and its FOste.
Mother had Learned to Love 1t.

Denver Sep. 9.-There was a heart
rending scene in the court room of the
division II of the district court yeSter-
day afternoon, in which tears, cries
and entreatieS of a woman and child
made the court room and corridors of
the court house fairly ring with grief.
All afternoon Judge Johnson was busy
hearing the habeaS corpus case OF D.
year old Victor Densmore, and deciding
who should have the child, its mother
or the woman who has been caring for
the child for the past three years.
According to the story brought out
in the testimony, the child is the lille
Ultimate child of Miss Cinda 7. Dens-
more, who resides on Evans street, in
South Denver, About two years ago
she took the child to Mrs. Sarah Mat
Tx, at Limon, Colo, and made arrange
ments with her to care for the infant,
alleging that it was her sisters child
and there was some talk at the time
of allowing Mrs. MattiX and her hus-
band to adopt the child.
AS years rolled by, Mrs. Mattix and
her husband became attached to their
charge and regarded it as their own.
They heard but seldom from Miss Dem
smore and received nothing for the
support of the child. a few weeks ago
lawyer and another man, went to Lii
mon, found the child playing in the
street, and abdUcting it, drove with it
TO Denver The adopted parents of the
child were frantic over the loss of their
the little one, and finding out where
1t was, caused the mother 10 be arrest
ed on the charge of kidnapping and got
the little one back
The mother was discharged from the
justice court at Linon on the charge of
kidnapping, and at once commenced ha-
beas corpus proceedings in the district
court to recover possession of her Off
spring. The case came up on final
hearing before Judge Johnson yester-
day afternoon and was fought warm
ly by both sides Booth Malone APP
pearing for Miss Densmore and Judge
W. 7. Rogers for Mr.. and Mrs MattiX.
who were in the court with the child
in their possession. Both sides claimed
that the other was not competent to
properly take care of the child, drunk
ennesS and gambling being alleged
against Mr.. Mattix. and financial abil-
ity and improper character against Miss
DInSmore. II was admitted on both
sides that the child belonged to Miss
Dinsmore, and that it was born out of
wedlock.
In rendering his decision. judge
Johnson spoke feelingly of the love of
a mother for her child. and in deciding
70 turn the boy over TO its mother. ne
urged her to let her love for her child
influence her 10 lead better life.
When the court adjourned there en-
sued scene which Saused tears TO
come 10 the eyes OF some of the old law
yers present. The child was in the
arms OF the adopted mother in the rear
OF the court room. and its real mother
with a smile of victory and joy illum-
mating her features. went over after
IL Mrs. MattiX then for the first time
seemed to realize that the child which
she had considered as her own. was 10
be taken away from her. With a fran
tic cry Of NO, No, No. she clutchei
the little one % her breast. but the
judgment Of The court had been spoken
and with the aid Of her husband and
the lawyers. the little boy was torn
from her and placed in the arms II its
mother. crying and startled al the grief
OF its foster mother
Miss DenSrnors rushed from the court
room with the screaming younCster
IN her arms and followed by the scream
and cries Of Mrs. MattiX To the lit
tie one. his mother was evidently a
stranger. and he continued 10 cry and
moan as he was borne down the eleva-
tor ana away. while subsequently Mrs
MattiN. hySteriCal and almost fainting
in the excess Of her grief. was led from
the building by her husband