The San Francisco call., 1897-03-27
HARD SWEARING
BEHIND THE DOORS
Judge Seawell Closed the
Portals of His
Court.
Bert Joy Was Temporarily Pro-
tected, but Finally Met
With ContumeIy.
Interesting Proceedings in the Strug.
gle for Little Effie Holstrom's
Guardianship.

The battle for the possession of little
Effie r. V. Holstrom was resumed behind
closed doors in Judge SeawelPs court yes
terday morning.
Mrs Lucinda Holstrom, the foster
mother, was present accompanied by her
attorney, Eugene N. Deuprey. and Mrs.
A. P. d'Artenay, formerly Sarah Mcguire,
now of Dixon, the mother of the child.
was in court with Attorney Matt L
Sullivan.
Several witnesses were examined, includ-
ing Sarah Thrasher, Lucinda Holstrom,
A. P. d'Artenay. Bert Joy and Charles
Holstrcm. The doors of the courtroom
were closed to the pubic.
Mrs. Hostrom acknowledged that she
had Joined in a plan to deceive her hus.
band, who was in Oregon. and to make
him believe that the child was hers. Sub
sequently her husband was informed OF
the parentage of the child, and said he
thought all the more of it because II was a
little waif
A. P. d. Artenay. husband of the mother
Of the child, testified that he is black
smith in business for himself. He is re-
spectacle man of prosperous appearance,
and no one doubted his word when he
testified that he was able and willing to
support the child in a proper manner.
Bert Joy gave some testimony against
Mrs. Holstrom which, if true, would be
notwithstanding her actions since she
has had custody Of the child.
Charles Holstrom testified that he has
supplied ample means for the support of
his wife and was willing to have her keep
the little girl.
In the afternoon the doors were opened.
The courtroom was quickly filled with
women, and William A. Lighthall was
called to the witness-stand. He is the
father of Mrs. Hoistrom, and said mis-
daughter had shown great affection for
the little girl; that she had worked for her
early and late, and he thought she would
lay down her life for the child. He said
that Mrs. d. Artenay showed no affection
for the child.
nation in regard to the burning of his
property in Sacramento and also in this
City, and the record touching the insur-
ance, but the court said such testimony
was immateriaI. The witness said his
daughter has lived with him for two years
and that she is good woman.
Mrs. Lighthall. mother OF Mrs. Hol-
strom, was the next witness. She said
she and her daughter went together to OBJ
tain the child from Mrs. d'Artenay, then
SalIie Mcguire, and that Miss Mcguire
seemed glad to have Mrs Holstrom get
the baby. She said: II would rather
have you get her than to have her sent 10
a founding asylum. feel as if God had
directed you to me. It's godsend for me
and the baby"
Some controversy arose between Mr..
Sullivan and Mr.. Deuprey in regard to an
alleged conspiracy involving Mrs. d. Arte-
nay, DIR. Thrasher and Mrs. Thrasher to
get possession of the child.
Mr.. Sullivan said he was willing to let
that go in if he were allowed to inquire
into the fire insurance conspiracy, but
Judge Seawell ruled it all out.
Then Mr.. Deuprey wanted a description
of what ne termed "the brutal conduct OF
Officer Frank Kane in dragging the child
from Mrs. Holstrom's arms" but the
court remarked that Officer Kane's alleged
brutality had nothing to do with the
claims of the women tor the custody of
the child.
Mrs. Lighthall was shown the contract
in which Sally Mcguire, as the mother of
the child was then known, gave permis-
sion for Mrs. Holstrom to keep the child
and to adopt ii as her own. The witness
said the document was delivered in her
presence. Mrs. d'Artenay acknowledges
signing the deed of gift to Mrs. Holstrom
and says she had no thought of asking for
Holstrom wanted to get rid of it.
When Bert Joy was recalled to the wit
ness-stand he had to run the gantlet of
looks OF scorn that were showered against
him by all the women present. Even
those who were not friendly to Mrs. Hol-
strom manifested their contempt for the
person who volunteered such testimony as
he gave.
f. l.. Holbrook testified that Mrs
Thrasher complained to him about Mrs.
Holstrom in last August and Septe mber
AS secretary of the Society for the Preven-
tion of Cruelty to Children he took
pollcem man and made an investigation. He
was not permitted to say whether or not
he considered her a good woman. but it
was developed that he took no steps to
deprive her OF the custody of the child.
Mrs. Olive Arnold and Miss Bessie Gay.
nor testified to conversations with Bert
Joy, in which he spoke of Mrs Holstrom
as good woman. Miss Gaynor said he
told her that Mrs. Thrasher had written
him letter asking him 10 testify against
Mrs. Holstrom. Joy disputed this state
ment.
Mrs. Eva Strickland and Mrs. May Hill
dreth, sisters of Mrs. HoIs,rom, corrobo-
rated tho testimony OF MIR. and Mrs.
Lighthall and of Mrs. Holstrom IN dis
putting the testimony of Bert Joy.
Mrs. Hildreth, who is member of the
Salvation Army, SWore that she was pres
ent when Mrs. Holstrom started to
Oregon with the infant four years ago,
and that Mrs. Holstrom said she was
sorry to take the baby so far away fro m
its mother, whereupon the mother replied:
That's all right, the baby has given me
trouble enough already. 1 hope never to
see it again"
Further testimony will be heard by
Judge Seawell at half past 10 O'Clock this
morning, and If the attendance of women
increases larger courtroom will have to
be obtained; even standing-room was at
premium yesterday.
ANTH0NY To RARRY