The evening times., 1896-10-24
Paternity Of "Tootsy" In
YOlved in a Case.
SAD STORY OF THE MOTHER
Lured Into Life of Shame and Con
tinued in 1t in Order to Support
the Child-Drnmati Assertion of
james Z. Porter That He Is the
Child's Father.

@''AA'i' III the poii'e tOuit, dithouSH SIN
was not present.
After listening to pleas and arguments
testimony, and petitions on both sides, his
honor finally turned "Tootsy" over to the
board to be cared for and educated Until
she reaches womanhood.
One OF the most interesting points dis
cussed " as as TO who is ''Tootsy's" father.
a man named Phelps or James L. Porter,
husband OF the little girls mother. The
question is still an open one, and the court
was left in cons ide rable doubt as TO
Marion's paternity.
Agent Lewis told the story OF MarioI's
life and surroundings. substantially as pub
lished in the Evening Times on Thursday.
The mother, short woman, thirty-one
years OF age, and not bad looking, drew
near and listened, with sadness on her
countenance, to the agents recital.
THE MOTHERS SORROW.
She Wore black dress partly concealed
by an imitation sealskin cape trimmed
with fur. on her head was a wide black
sailor hat. and her face was pale from
her recent confinement in Jail and the
anxiety for her little one.
While Mr.. Levi is was telling OF her
former life in the slums, deep crimson spots
appeared on each of the Woman's cheeks
and her lips twitched nervously.
Policeman Kilmartin, a veteran on the
''divisiO beat, told of the evil resorts
Mrs Porter had lived in when she was
knownas Mamie Evans.
Policeman Harrison, OF Georgetown. gave
testimony concerning the mothers incar-
ceratiOn in Jail for two months. for stealing
wine from her next-door neighbur. He
also stated that both Porter and his wife
drink liquor
Policeman Evans, OF the South Washing
ton precinct, testified that he had arrested
the husband three times in one week. when
the couple lived on C street southwest
Porter was then a laborer at the new city
pustorfiCe, ana they lived in squalor.
AgcntParkman, oftlic Board of Guardians,
told about tile mans drunkenness, and Of
the conduct Of the Poriers.
Mrs. Porter was next called to the wit
ness stand When Judge Miller asked her If
Porter was her husband, she replied
We were lawfully married, sir, and
am perfectly capable or taking care Of my
CHILD"
Continuing she said Phelps. who claims
to bc the father OF Marian, forced her to
enter an evil house and afterwards had her
taken to Columbia Hospital, as widow,
where he child was born
II afterwards did wrong" she said, with
4 touch of pathos in her voice, ..but dId
1 to support my darling child. love my
little unc the same as any other mother.
md would make any sacrifice for her.
Phelps made me do wrong"
Mrs. Porter said she came from Hart
ford, Conn. where she was lurcd To an cyl
'csort by man She is an Intelligent
vom an, and told the story OF her bl GIFTED
ife in straightforward manner. She mc'
Porter i'll Wilmington, Del. and he has
always befrendcd her, and for tnat reason
She married him nearly two years ago.
"ii.lc size was in jail here the husband cared
FOR Marion and paid for her board. He is
employed at the Pension office
James l.. Porter, the husband, a man
about fifty years al age. with gray hair
ana mustacbe, went on the witness stand
lext. He appeared to be agitated. and.
lointing to Mrs Porter, said:
She is my lawful Wife, and l have
,een taking care of the child. | am an
ron worker and can support both Mamie
and little Marion. The Humane Society
has no right to take the child. l support
ler, and can bring you good references"
WHEN HE NET HER.
He added that while n widower he met
Mamie IN the evil house of W hich she was
IN inmate. She was intelligent and he
hought too good for such a place. He Of
cred to give her money to go home, but
\ ith tears IN her eyes she said she was
IN orphan and had no home. Soon after
hat he married her and provided a home
or her.
Porter acknowledged that he was a
periodical drinker. but had not been on q
pree since last January.
when you go on spree and the mother
$ on Il spree, what becomes of the child?"
isked Judge Miller
Il pay for her board"
Then Porter sprang mild sensation on
he court.
Il don't want to be both cred with this
Dan Phelpsv" he exclaimed. "IIe is not
he father of 'Tootsy.' am. My wife says
O."
'It is his; it is his child" exclaimed the
Mother; "and when Tootsy was three years
1f age / taught her to kneel down and say
er prayers, both night and morning Tootsy
5 my husbands child, and not Phelps'.''
But you told Inc it was Phelps child"
aid his honor.
Il know did, but didn't mean it. I
ed bccauseaI wanted him to take care Of |
Iarion." -
Judge Miller referred to the evil life |
lie mother had led in Connecticut, Della |
Wy
The mother acknowledge her former error,
nd ma de "a pathetic plea to be allowed to |
eep her child, and sa id that Phelps has |
cen bounding her ever since she married
orter, one year and nine months ago.
Lawyer Darlington said:
The Officers of the society are trying /
D take away a persons flesh and blood |
or offenses many OF them are guilty them
elves. They seek to tear from her the last
Incentive to make her lead a virtuous life |
70 take the child would be almost con-
rning her to he'll, and absolutely wreck |
err life Your honor, l appeal to your
ense of justice as man and your heart"
Judge Miller said TooSty was born under |
cloud, and the mother had had all |
inds of difficulties to contend with.
or the first time in seven or eight years !
be was trying to lead respectable life.
he fact that the child was horn out OF |
-edlock and the mother had led an evil /
fe would not make the court take the |
Iild from her; but there are other things |
, be considered. He ordered Tootsy to
e turned over to the board, and Agent |
arkman left the court to inform the
tile girl at the Cbildren's Home that she
LEADERS INDISPOSED.
en. Clayton Has n Chill and Treas