The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-24
AS BOARDERS.
How Detectives Found
Little Clara Kelly.
The Landlady's Child Was
Kept in C0ncealment.
Mother Had Given UP Her Daughter
Over Six Years Ago.

| Brooklyn, April 2i-Clara G. Kelly,
n little girl of nine, whose mother took
her from school in Brockton, Mass, six
weeks ago, has been returned. by order
| of the Brooklyn courts, 10 her foster
| parents. The little girl did not want TO
| go, and only when promises were made
that she would bo allowed to sec her
mother frequently could she be induced
| TO part with her.
Clara, when an infant was left with
the family OF Elisha 4. Kelly, in Brock
ton, by her mother, who was then Mrs
Jessie Carr. The kellys became very
much attached TO the little one and
when her mother returned 10 Brockton
"a few weeks later they gave her the choice
OF taking Clara away or leaving her for
over Mrs. Carr hesitated, but finally de-
cided TO let Clara remain with the man
and woman who had cared for her. MIR.
Kelly then obtained certificate of adop-
ton from the Probate Court of Massa-
chusetts Mrs. Carr disappeared and the
Brockton people did not hear from her
for years.
In the meantime Clara grew up bright
and pretty child, with decided bent for
music This talent her foster parents en-.
couraged and developed under trained
teachers. The child was sent TO school
on Grove street.
"A woman who was a stranger in Brock
ton visited the school six weeks ago. She
was allowed TO speak TO Clara, who went
away with her. That night the child did
not go home, and in a few hours the town
was alarmed over the news that she had
disappeared.
Clara had been general fayorite and
the case became one of public interest
Two Brockton detectives were placed on
the case. They found New England
town in which Mrs Carr was known,
and learned there that she had spent
much time in Canada and was devout
Catholic. Assuming that she might have
placed the little one in a Canadian con-
vent they visited sever al, but got no
trace OF the child.
Finally word reached the detectives
that Mrs. Carr was keeping fashionable
boarding house in Brooklyn. They hur-
rled to brooklyn and went TO live in the
house.
Mrs. Carr it is said, was very careful
of the child, who was kept away from the
boarders The detectives were in the house
q week before they were sure that she was
there. Then they telcgraDhed to Brockton
ana Mrs. Kelly arrived in Brooklyn with |
the Brockton chief Of police on Thursday |
Application was made late in the after |
noon for a writ of haboas corpus. which |
was granted by Justice Maddox in the |
Supreme Court Armed with this the |
party went to the home of Mrs. Carr. The |
lawyer in the case refuses TO give the ad- |
dress.
Mrs. Carr became greatly excited when
she saw her visitors She called TO the |
little one, who was In room nd djoining
the parlor. CLARA. lock that door -
The police heard the key turn i'm the |
lock, and the child inside crying. The
mother, when the court order was shown |
her, stood before the door and said she |
would die before she would surrender the
little one. She was pacified after while |
and asked permission To consult a neigh
bor He advised her 60 give Clara up, and
She tearfully consented. The little one,
however, did not want 20 90.
Il have found my real mamma, and | |
want TO stay with her, +" she cried She
said also that she wanted to visit the Wild
West Show and would net do so if she
went to Brockton.
Mrs Kelly promised that she would al
ow Mrs. Carr TO see Clara frequently and
would bring her TO Brooklyn to see her
mother several times year. Then the
little one kissed her mother and went
away with Mrs. Kelly.
Wncn they arrived in Brockton a crowd
was in waiting and cheered the child all
.he way home