The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-28
HER CHILD IS FORFEITED
THE STATE WILL NOT PERMIT LAURA
sHREvE TO HAVE 1T AGAIN.
A Married Sister of the Erring WOm-
an and a Policeman Want
the Little One.

There was meeting and parting in the
Circuit Court yesterday ey ening that
brought tears to the eyes of the officials.
The scene was one of those that very fire.
quently characterize the proceedings
brought by the Board of Childrens Guard
dams for possession of child This was
the suit of the board against Laura Shreye
for possession of little Carrie Shreve, aged
nine years.
!. The circumstances attending the Shreve
case are of a particularly unfortunate char
acter About two weeks ago the police. ar
rested pretty girl of nineteen in an East
street house. She gave the name of Myrtle
Shreve and in explanation of her conduct
asked the police to visit the home of her
mother, at No. 76 West Market street. The
spatrolrnan called at this place and there
found Laura Shreve, the mother of the girl,
with a man named Convery. With the pair
was little Carrie Shreve, the woman's
youngest child. The little girl cried pite-
ously when the police entered the room,
and begged the officers not to take her
mother away. Sergeant Laporte was
touched by the childish pleadings in behalf
zof the mother, and secured Mrs. ShreVe's
promise to appear in Police Court the next
morning The woman came promptly,
bringing the child with her. Myrtle Shreve,
the elder GIRL was placed in charge of the
matron of the Rescue Mission, and she is
still living in the institution. Mrs. ShreVe
and Convery were sent to the workhouse.
The question then arose as to the dispo-
sition of the child, Carrie Shreve. She was
such a winsome little thing, and seemed
so distressed over her mothers trouble,
that everybody in Police Court felt great
pity for her. Finally Patrolman Butcher,
great strapping fellow, took the little
girl up in his arms and tried to comfort
her. He dried her tears and told her he
had no little girl of his own He said II
she would go with him he would take her
to his home. AS this seemed to be the
easiest way out OF the dlinculty, tne eo othe
child The Butchers found her remarkably
bright for her age, and they talked OF
adopting her as their own. But the chlld
seemed to cling to her mother and sisters,
and the Butchers felt it would not be best
to act hastily i'll the matter. However,
little Carrie grew very fond OF them, and
yesterday afternoon she came down to the
courthouse with the big policeman. Inc
Board of Guardians had entered suit for
possession of the child and Butcher was
Instructed to have her in court. Mrs
Shreve, who has four or five days yet to
serve was brought in from the Workhouse
She is about forty-two years of age. AT
the courthouse she met her daughter from
Knox county. who came here with the in
tentlOn or taxing the youngest cnllu HOIlo
with her. The little girl ran to her mothers
arms with a glad cry. When the case
was called the mother made no
denial of the charges against
her. She said she was willing to give up
the child, but she wanted her to go home
with the married sister, who had come after
her Judge Allen, after questioning The sis
ter, found that her husband kept a restau-
rant and a saloon. He told the women he
would hold the case in allegiance until he
could make some Investigations concerning
the family. He said the sister could return
home and the child would be sent to her If
it was thought this was the best for her;
The board of guardians will probably send
some one to Knox county to investigate
the surroundings of the sister. Judge Allen
told the woman he was much impressed
with her honest appearance, but he wanted
to think the matter over before deciding.
Although the little girl appeared to be
greatly attached to the mother, she seemed
to understand she could never return to her
again. She wanted to go with the sister
and cried until her eyes were swollen be-
cause the. court would not decide the case
at once. 1t was a bitter moment for the
mother, when the officer from the work
house came to take her back to the inStitu-
ton Great sobs shook her frame as she re-
peatedly pressed her lips to the face Of the
child Then the erring woman went to the
elder daughter and they stood for moment
in each others arms. Patrolman Butcher
led the child from the courtroom, and at
the door the two women went their different
ways.