The San Francisco call., 1897-03-06
A BABY GIRL IN
THE CITY PRISON
Effie H0lStrom Suffers Be-
cause She Has Two
Mothers.
Unable to Agree Upon Gus.
todian for the Unfortunate
Little One.
Judge Coffey Adm onishes the Contest.
ants That the Child's Interests
Are Suffering.

Little Effie V. R. Holstrom was in Judge
Coffey's court again yesterday. She ap-
peared in her sailor boys suit, the same
as on Wednesday, and when asked her
name replied that it was Tommy, just as
she did when first presented a court. She
appeared to be suffering from nervous
ness, and was not as bright looking as be-
fore. Attorney Eugene Deuprey asked
that the child be given into the custody
of Mrs. l. C. Leonora Barron of 1884 Va
lencia street.
To this suggestion Attorney Matt I. Sui
ivan, representing the mother. offered
opposition, saying that Mrs. Barron is a
partisan and friend of Mrs. Holstrom, the
foster-mother of the child.
Mr.. Deuprey objected 10 Mrs. DR..
Thrasher advising the attorne ey for the
thought only those in interest ought to be
allowed to control or participate in the
proceedings.
Judge Coffey said it was apparent to him
that Mrs. Barron is good woman and a
proper person TO act as mother pro tenn.
or the third mother for this little bit of
humanity. He was not disposed to hasti-
ly decide matter that might be of ini-
portance to both sides of the controversy
and would remand the child to the Gus
tody of the matron of the City Prison un-
til o'clock to-day. If at that time no
other person is agreed on as custodian of
She child, he will put her in the keeping of
Mrs. Barron.
Both mothers were present in court,
and both followed Bailiff Finn TO the
City Prison. where the pretty little waif
was given over to the matroD, who is q
gentle but very busy woman.
Mrs. Hoistrom, the foster-m other, wept
over the child and the baby clung to her
affectionately, begging to be taken home.
Mrs. d d'Artnay, the mother of the child,
stood aloof, but wore a determined look
that showed that she was not disposed to
yield the point in controversy. She was
accompanied by her husband. a gentleman
of respectable appearance, who manifested
much interest in tie case. Mr.. d Artnay
says he will stand by his wife in her claim
for her offspring, even though it was born
out of wedlock.
When tne City Prisons matron took
hold of Effie the little thing drew back
impusively and cried: Don't put me in
that room again. Somebody come with
me- Don't put me in alone again.
The door was opened disclosing two
k-Iooking candidates for the Magdalen
Asylum, with the mark of sorrow and dis
grace on their low brows.
go in and see your girls, said the busy
matron, kindly but firmly.
mo, no; let me go home with mamma" /"
walled the infant but baby's cries avail
not in a prison, SO the door was pushed
shut and another child of misfortune was
left alone with her SORROWS. Those who
stood outside could hear the little one s
heartbroken sohbings, until a party of
tourists were escorted into the Jail to see
Butler, alias Weller, the Australian MUIR
derer, who has quarters just across the
corridor. The shuff1ing feet of the new
comers, the CHEEKY prattle of the double
murderer and the dreadful rafting OF the
keys drowned the sounds OF sorrow in the
matron's room, both mothers had been
escorted out, and The incident was forgot
ten by the habitues OF tue jail.
Judge Coffey took occasion to admonish
both sides of the controversy. He said
that In their partisanship and in their
selfish desire and strenuous efforts to get
possession of the child they had forgotten
its real interests. He thought they ought
TO be more tender of its feelings and its
welfare. Finally he said that his depart
ment was overcrowded with important
matters and said he hoped they would find
some other Judge TO hear and decide the
question between the two mothers as to
which should have the custody of the
child. The matter will come up again
before Judge Coffey at 2 clock this after
noon.