The record-union., 1897-07-24
ALL ABOUT A LITTLE BABE.
THE CHILD WAS BORN OUT OF
WEDLOCK.
Taken From It's Foster Mother
The Case Attracting Much
Interest.

About three years ago woman
named Mrs Harrison gave birth to a
child in the County Hospital, and the
little one was given cot at the Found
ling Home in this city.
Mrs. John H. Mason, who resides at
1922 G street, was at that time employ
ed at the Home, and, according to the
story told yesterday by her husband,
John H. Mason, she made arrangements
with the mother by which she secured
absolute control of the child.
Mrs. Harrison, according to Mrs. Ma
sons story, being in feeble health, was
taken in by his wife and kept for five
weeks, after which she left and was
absent for about four months. During
the past three years the mother has
paid no attention to the child whatever.
The baby, which is boy, was seriously
i'll about a year ago, and Mrs. Mason,
after the physician in charge lost hope,
saved its life and brought it back to
health
Recent events tend to show that a
young man who lived at Perkins is the
father of the child. He recently left
that section of the county, and has not
been heard from.
Since he left, according to Mrs. Ma
sons statement, his mother has made
number of trips to the Mason residence
and attempted 20 induce Mr.. and Mrs.
Mason to relinquish their claim to the
baby. This the latter couple declined
to do, and several other members or
the family visited the house on G street
to add their pleadings to those of the
grandmother.
Mr.. and Mrs. Mason say they offered
to release the babe provided the fathers
sister would adopt it, and provided, fur
Their that a suitable recompense was
made Mrs. Mason for her trouble. This
the sister declined to do, replying that
she had children of her own to provide
for, and could not think of dividing with
another.
So matters stood until Wednesday
last, when the grandmother appeared
and presented a written demand for the
child.
The Masons, it seems, according to
their story, had little knowledge of the
nature of the paper presented, and on
the officer who accompanied the grand
mother representing that he had only
twenty III WHICH u get lllC
child before Judge Johnson, they al
lowed him to take it, and Immediately
followed to contest the possession of
the babe.
On their presentation of the matter,
Judge Johnson granted a stay Of pro-
ceedings, and orded the child left with
disinterested parties until the Court
should determine to whom it belongs.
1t was understood, according to Mr..
Mason's story, that the child was to be
left in the care of a Mrs. Bruce, but he
asserts that he has searched the city
high and low for that party, and has
been unable to locate her.
The case has been shifted to Judge
Harris court, and has not, as yet been
set for hearing.
Mr. Mason further stated that the re-
puted father owns considerable proper
ty near Brighton Station. The case is
creating considerable comment, and
Mrs. Mason, the child's foster mother
is nearly Frustrated over its loss.
Yesterday Mrs. Pugh of Brighton,
mother of the reputed father of the
child, made an effort to have Judge
Johnson reconsider his ruling and order
the child turned over to her, but no &C
ton was taken.