Evening star., 1895-04-22
TOOK THE CHILDREN.
Mr.. Franz Put Them in IL Carriage
and Drove Away.

and Drove Away.
There was quite little excitement in
East Washington yesterday, when Nettie
Franz, aged thirteen years, and her brother
Stewart, aged eight years, who have been
living with their mother, were met on the
street by their father, placed in close
carriage and taken out of the city.
1t seems that Mrs. Franz and her hus-
band, Charles F. c. Franz, who were mar
ried twepty-one Years ago, have not been
living together for seven years past, the
wife claiming that she left her husband
because of brutal treatment on his part
Both parties have applied for divorce, and
the domestic troubles from time to time
have been aired in court. Mr.. Franz is a
bookbinder, employed by the government
printing office at its branch in the city
post office building on G street. He re-
sides at 325 7th street northeast. Mrs
Franz lives at III 11th street northeast
and is engaged in the confectionery busi-
ness. In addition to the two young chill
dren, the couple have two married daugh-
terS.
The little girl. Nettie, has been attending
school in tho Wallach building, while the
boy has been at an educational institution
in Virginia. He was in the city for the
Easter holidays. According to Mrs. Franz
the father recently requested that the chill
dren visit him before Stewart returned to
school and she consented. Yesterday the
children started out, first to call on their
sister, a Mrs. RogerSon, and later to see
their father Before reaching Mrs Roger
sons residence. according to Mrs. Franz,
the children were met by their father, who
forced them into a carriage and rapidly
drove off. The mother was almost frantic
over what had occurred, and at once noti-
fled the police that her children had been
kidnapped.
Mr.. Franz's Story.
A Star reporter found Mr.. Franz at his
place of employment this morning. He had
just returned to the city, he said, and was
not inclined to talk, remarking that he was
loath to have the family trouble ventilated
any further in the papers.
Yes, 1 have taken my children away"
said Mr. Franz, after a short hesitation,
because think can care for them better
than their mother can. l have not seen my
boy for over six months and as he was
going away again in two days l thought
had better take charge of him. l met Net
tie and. Stewart on the street yesterday,
and as soon las they saw me they ran to
me and kissed me. l did not compel the lit
tie girl to go with me. l lifted Stewart
into the carriaSe-not against his willard
Nettie followed of her own accord, saying
she would go with her brother We did not
drive rapidly away, for the horse attached
to the vehicle could not move much faster
than walk, and there We're no screams or
any violence attempted, as has been pub
lished.
NO, 1 won't tell where the children are,
but they are in good hands, and l propose
that they shall remain there until the di-
vorce matter is settled Mr.. Franz went on
to say. Il don't mind your seeing this let
ter, for it will show you how the children
feel about the matter"
Mr.. Franz then produced a note, written
in pencil, addressed Dear Mamma and
signed Your loving daughter Nettie," stat
ing that her brother and herself were being
treated kindly and would return when the
affair was settled. similar note from
the little boy was appended. Mr.. Franz
stated that he would forward the COM
munications to the mother of the children
today, But refused to speak further about
the case.