The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-25
KIDNAPPED CHILD RESCUED.
PatrOIman Shafer Helps Mrs. Simp-
SON OvertaIxe Her Daughter.

Mrs Salle Simpson, an intelligent colored
woman, told a story of an attempt that
had been made to kidnap her little girl, and
the story aroused the sympathy Of Turn
key Long, Sergeant Crane and newspaper
men who were at the Jail last midnight.
The attempt at kidnapping was unsuccessful,
and Mrs. Simpson cried softly as she sat
with her little daughters arm resting at
fectionately on her shoulder. The child is
a bright little miss, with rather mature
manners. She is twelve years DID, but
small for her age. Mrs. Simpson said that
she and her husband, Jerry Simpson, have
been separated ten years. All that time
she was worked as a house servant, de-
voting part of her earnings to boarding and
educating the child. She says that her
husband has never done anything toward
the childs support. For the last four years
he has been living with another woman,
she says.
Some two or three months ago Mrs. Simp-
son became too i'll to work, and could not
pay Efies board Minerva Richardson is
a sister-in-law OF Mrs. Simpsons living in
Shantytown. When the mother became i'll
she offered to care for the child until Mrs.
Simpson could work again. Mrs. Simpson
secured place, after she was able to work,
at Mrs. Fugate's. no. 52S North Pennsyl-
vania street. She arranged to have little
Effie board near her, and expected to have
her go to school. Yesterday afternoon Mrs.
Simpson went to Mrs Richardson's house
to get the child. Mrs. Richardson informed
her that the grils father had taken her
away, with the intention or giving the child
to sister of his who lives in Noblesville.
The mother almost heartbroken, and
began a hasty search for the child. She
went TO the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SCatlon,
thinking she might find her slster-in-law
there ready to take the train for Mobiles
vile Not finding her there she went to
Jerry Simpsons house, on West Washing
ton street Her husband deted her, telling
her there was no way she could get posses
sion of the little girl. When she spoke of
appealing to the police he abused her
roundly telling her they would not inter-
fere Mrs. Sin3psor continued the search,
going to the Union Station, where she con-
suited Tunnel Parolman "Doss' Shafer.
Mrs. Simpson, at his advice looked through
the station, and saw the child walking with
Come here Ehie.' she cried come to
Effie started toward her with an exclama-
ton of pleasure, but was prevented by her
aunt. who grabbed her nand. 49,.
You shant have her, you shan't have
her. she cried. MY brother gave her to
me-"
Mrs. Simpson went to Patrolman Shaffer
who with the assistance OF Patrolmen
Hoffbauer and Leet. arrested the woman.
She had with her two baskets. containing
EIle clOknlnE. every garment OF winch
her mother had bought for her. The Off
GERS called the patrol wagon and sent the
party to the jail The woman gave the
name of Mary Hampton. Mrs. Simpson
says, however, that she does not believe
that Is her name 1T may be, said she;
she has had so many names Her name
used to be Richardson. and then ii was
Griffin Mrs. Hampton declared that she
had no intention of stealing the child and
was simply taking her home with her be-
cause the girls father turned the little one
over TO her.
II she was not stealing my Child asked
| Mrs. Simpson, with sob, why did she
not give her to me? asked her TO. didn't