Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-02
GOES TO HIS MOTHER.
Az INTERESTING HABEAs CORPUS
CASE BEFORE JUDGE HUGHES.
CLARENCE NO LONGER A PRISONER.
Being Under IL Years Old, the Court
Holds That He Cannot lie Confined
Against the Wishes of His
Parents.

In the courtroom Of the United states
Circuit Court yesterday was enacted the
closing scene in very interesting domes-
tic drama.
The case involved the liberty OF a small
boy under y years. named Clarence white.
who had been sentenced to serve a term
I'm the Laurel Reformatory for vagrancy.
The case was argued on a writ OF habeas
corpus sworn out by the parents OF the
child.
The circumstances surrounding the case
are peculiarly pathetic. The boy was
born in North Carolina. His mother was
blind. and when Clarence was old enough
he used TO accompany her. and soon be-
came Indispensable to her. After several
years had elapsed his mother net
blind man named Kellar. and ihe sym
pathy born Of their unhappy lot I'm life
begot a tendcrer feeling. which culmi-
mated at The marriage altar.
HE WEARIED OF RESTRAINT.
The lot Of Clarence did not appear 10 b.
improved by this alliance, and the boy
whose sclf-respoct was wounded iy the
"a
been trained 90 perform the same kndll
Offices for the sightless ones that b,
had been wont 90 do. and whose feelings
had been crushed in other ways, decided
that a life free from ail restraint would
BE- infinitely preferable. Accordingly, be-
abandoned his mother one day as be was
leading her on Broad street in this city
The boy wandered round until The shades
OF evening fell. whom. tired ana hungry
he went TO the Second Police station
and begged nights lodging. Ec wac
taken i'm and fed. but next morning hc
found himself I'm the BLACK Maria ana
was driven 10 The Police Court aud
charged with being @ We grant. The charge
was sustained and Justice Ctutch-
field handed the boy over 10 the
Prison Association Of Virginia 20 oc COM
mitted 10 their institution az Laurel uhu
such time as he should be Of age. This
sentence meant practically nine years
Imprisonment for simple act OF va
grancy.
PETITION FOR HIS RELEASE
Meanwhile. the mother and stepiather
Of the lad were seeking for the boy. and
eventually heard of his imprisonment.
4 potition for his release was presenter
10 Judge Wexford. and overruled, then
the writ Of hahcas corpus was Issued,
ana upon the presentation Of the tcsti-
nonv. and the evidence Of the mother
who declared that she was able 10 sup
port the child. Judge Hughes granted the
order for the boys release.
As soon as the order was granted
Superintendent Sampson, of the rciorma-
tory released lis charge. and shoo-
harjs with him. and the boy darted across
10 his mother and sprang into her
arms. The reunion was quite anectins
both mother and son shedding tears Oh
gratitude and joy
Colonel Spottswood and Mr.. Il. carter
Scott appeared as counsel for the '"F'
and Major Robert Stiles and Mr.. Jam
Casl<ie for the Prison Association.
HAS RUN AWAY TWICE
The boy ran away from home twice be-
fore. alleging cruelty against his step
father. but on both occasions his mother
took him back. Upon the third coca
eion the authorities decided to hold HIM
His father is a familiar character on me
streets of this city. lie is stone-nlnu'
and is led by a little brown dog, W.lch
seems 20 be the source of all clarence
misery.
Judge Hughes's decision establishes The
fact that a l2-year-old boy cannot be
,''.o'rarf the Judge commended The
Prison Association Of virginia Tor the
great work 80 is doing for society, put
said the question before him was simply
whether the mother Of a child under j.
years Of acc. who had wandered from
home I'm North Carolina ana had
come 10 Richmond was entitled 10 recover
its custody and 10 take 1t 10 her home.
Other Matters i'm Federal Courts
Charlie May. the Chinaman indicted RE-
Gently by the United states grand jury
for sending an obscene letter through me
So .H.
mails. was brought to Richmond yesteI
So ron, Alexandria by Deputy United
states Marshal Joseph +. Glover. He wa
ubseouently taken back and will be held
for trial al the January term If neNi
year. the case being IN the Jurlsdlciloh oi
nj court and all the witnesses IN the
case being in Washington or Alexandra
The petit jury of the United States
Circuit and District courts was IN s5s-
sion for a short time Yesterday ana a'-
iourned until II o'clock this morning
r,ba limited states District Court VIII
he in session to-day ut II o'clock.