The San Francisco call., 1897-03-04
masquerade last night and has not had
time for change of costume" suggested

masquerade last night and has not had
time for change of costume" suggested
the court.
Then Mrs. Fredericka Van Valkenberg
of 1923 Dolores street was asked to take
the witness-stand. She did so very re-
luctantly, having with her a rosy.cheeked,
chubby child dressed in boy IS sailor suit.
knee pants and all complete, with the
word Defender printed on the cap.
Mrs. Van Valken berg at first declined to
be sworn, and wanted to know why she
had been arrested, saying that the officers
had handled her very rudely. She was
Gained at last, but refused to disclose the
identity of the child in her possession.
saying that she understood that the
mother is named Mrs. Hazel Fox that she
did not dress the child and did not know
whether it was a boy or girl.
Police Officer Coleman testified that he
could identity the child as the girl Effie
Holstron,, notwithstanding the disguise,
and the fact that her long black ringlets
had been cut off.
Judge Coffey suggested that the child
be questioned in regard to the matter of
identity, so Mr.. Sullivan asked:
what is your manner"
Tommy" repIie the little one with
out a m moments hesitation.
"What?' cried Mr.. Sullivan. "You say
your name is Tommy"
"Yes. Tommy"
1t was evident that the astute lawyer
was puzz ed by this four-year-old infant
but rejecting on the positive identifica-
ton OF Officer Coleman, he returned to
the attack.
"Wnat is your other name besides
Tommy?" he asked.
Tommy Fox" was the reply of the
perturbable young witness. She had
learned her lesson well and stuck to her
story.
Court and counsel for moment ap-
peared to be dismayed. At length Judge
Coffey said in very serious tone: at
now becomes requisite that the sex of this
child shall be established. There are
some things that you cannot ask of the
court. This is matter tor a medical man.
Let the bailiff request the attendance of
the City Physician"
So Deputy Sheriff Finn invited Dr..
Howard Thompson of the Receiving Hos
pital 10 step up into Judge Coffey's wit
ness-room, to which Mrs. Van Vaiken-
berg and her precious charge were per-
mil ed 10 retire.
When they appeared in court again DR..
Thompson was sworn and testified that
the child in male attire was in fact a little
girl.
Mrs. Van Valkenberg was subjected to
a searching examination by Mr.. Sullivan,
but she denied that she had been hired to
take the child TO Fresno and thence 10
Michigan, or that she had intended to re-
move the child beyond the jurisdiction of
the State whom arrested. She admitted
that Mrs. Fox. the reputed mother of the
child, is in reality Mrs. Luc nda Holstrom.
Then the entire story was clear to the
court. Mrs. HoIstrom bought the child,
which was born out OF wedlock, from Miss
Salie Mcclure. about four years ago, for
$40. Miss Mcclure has since married
man named D. d Artnay, who lives near
Woodland, in this State, and is desirous
of regaining custody of her offspring.
This is opposed by Mrs. Holstrom. who
has become much attached to the little
girl.
Several weeks ago the child was taken
by force from Mrs. Holstrom and delivered
to Mrs D'Artnay. Subsequently the lit
tie one was kidnapped in Woodland by Mrs.
Holstrom's husband and brought to this
City. Since then both women have filed
petitions for legal guardianship. each ac-
cusing the other of being unworthy to
have the guardian of SO tender mind.
Judge Coffey thought that all parties