New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-23
SHE KIDNAPPED HER son.
THE FATHER POwERLESS TO PREVENT
THEIR DEPARTURE FOR BOSTON.

| A ROMANCE WHICH iOOOhEo DOoAN-
RRooK1yN. WITH DIVORCED MOTHER
AND MUSICIAN AS THE
PRINCIPAL FIGURES
A hold case Of kidnapping occurred In we'll
rnowr residence district Of Brooklyn yesterday
afternoon. when Mrs. Violet Swansborne. VINO was
divorced from Ernst Westphall last January
came TO the home Of DR.. Henry warner OIL NO ooA
i bird Place and carried away Arthur Westphaii'
the four year-od child who had been placed IN the
custody of his father Ernst Wesphali, who Is
employed by Ira A. Kip Co.. NO. lSS Peari-s'''
was sent for and found his former wife with the
child on the o'clock train for Boston, just as II
was leaving the Grand Central station. Ihere was
a stormy scene, and Westphall tried TO get oe-
tectve to arrest the woman She was oenan''
however and as the father had no warrant ne
had to retire and leave the child to be taken 10
Boston by its mother. He Will resort 70 iegal pro-
ceedlngs to recover his boy.
Mr.. Westphall married Violet Ada Lynn In Lon
don about six years ago. While there Mrs west
phall became acquainted with waiter Swahsoorne'
and the relationship became SO close that the NUS
band was called upon 10 demonstrate. Swansoorhe
is q vionlst in the Symphony Orchestra. in Bos-
ton and ID we'll known in the musical circles OF
that city
Two years ago the Westphalls moved to Brook
,vn The Boston musician again renewed his ac-
ouaintance with Mrs. Westphall. and IT finally leo
to a divorce suit Last January Judge Gaynor
gave Mr. Westphal decree Of absolute divorce
from his wife and also gave him the custody OF
the four-year-old boy. Arthur Mrs Westphaii
made no defence She had left her husband some
time before the decree. and in January she was
married to Walter Swansborne in Boston. Mr.
Westphall went with Arthur to live at the home OF
his friend. DR.. Henry Warner. at No. @A Third
Place.
In May he received letter from his mother-in-
law In Boston, saying that Mrs. Swansborne was
critically III, and wanted to her child. Mr..
Westphall allowed Arthur TO go to Boston. but his
mother kept him there until seven weeks ago. when
the father went on. demanded the boy and brought
him back to Brooklyn.
Yesterday. about 30 o'clock. a woman with
baby in her arms. and accompanied by man. went
to DR., Warmers house and asked for him. Mr..
Westphall was In New York and the Warmers
out While the woman was talking with the SER
want Arthur came into the hal. The woman
claimed, "On. my darling boy" She walked into
the dining room. and tried persuade the boy TO
go with her 10 Boston. The man. who Is a nephew
Of Mr.. Swanborne, also urged the little lad The
stay. and see his father. Finally she said. You
must come with me, Arthur" The man took the
boy in his arms, and. with Mrs Swansborne. who
had baby In her arms. started toward Court-st
that she had lef: the front door open. She went
back. and when she reached Court-st. the man and
woman and boy had disappeared
DR.. Warner came In about fifteen minutes later
He telephoned to Mr. Westphall TO so TO the Grand
Central Station Informed the police and then went
with detective to watch the Fall River boat.
Mr. WestphalI VIII get a warrant and follow Mrs
Swa osborne TO Boston to-day.