The herald., 1897-03-20
ELSIE SH|PION' 5 CHOICE
She Objects to Living With
Her Mother
STRIKING Scene IN THE COURT ROOM
Miss Frances Wills the Guardian
Desired
VALUE OF ABRAHAM'S ARM
The "Horseshoe Saloon Closes Its
Doors
A Switchman Claims $4,000 From the
Southern Pacific
Tom Poo Yaea Is Sued for s7r5-The Traction
Company Asked to Yield Up $4,000.
Several Other Dimags Suits
on rno-Note5
A Switchman Claims $4,000 From the
Southern Pacific

"A certain gentleman of old whose
writings the public generally is more
or less acquainted with once propoundeo
the query as to how much sharper thar
a serpent's tooth is the ingratitude Of
child.
In which ever direction ones reason
or sympathy might lead them, the old
time query would have been equally
pertinent yesterday when the guardian
ship matter of Miss Elsie Shipton came
up before Judge Clark Inasmuch as the
matter by force of circumstances in the
first place and careful guidance in the
second is of necessity side issue to
the trial and conviction of Clifton K.
Mayne for having debauched this young
lady, it goes without saying that the
sensational element was not lacking.
If an element of pathos was also injected
into it. that was not evidently the wish
or purpose of the very self-possessed
vounr woman whose interests were so
closely concerned
Precisely on time Mrs. Jessica H.
Wright appeared in department two in
response to the citation issued at the
instance OF Mrs Clara z. Shipton to
produce Miss Elsie Shipton in court and
show cause why the letters of guardian
ship issued to her should not be re-
voked. Chief Deputy Holton of the dis
trlct attorneys office represented Mrs
Wright, while J. L. Copeland, Esq, ap-
peared for Mrs. Shipton. who was ac-
companied into court by her daughter
Della and several friends, who sat quiet
ly crying during the hearing of the
case.
Without preamble. or attempting to
answer the citation by attempting to
show why the guardianship should not
te taken from out the hands of Mrs.
Wright. Mr.. Holton sprung something
in the nature of surprise by submit
ting a petition from Mrs. Wright ask
ing that she be permitted to resign her
trust as the guardian of the girl and
that Miss Frances Wills be appointed
by the court as guardian in her place.
This double banked request was en-
dorsed by Elsie herself
Mr.. Copeland. in commenting upon
the petition, said there was one person
connected with the case who had an
interest as close at least as anyone else
the mo other of Elsie. She had not been
permitted to visit or hold any commu
nication with her daughter save in the
presence of Mrs. Wright. He did not
know what the wish of the girl might
be, but the law contemplated some right
inhering in the parent to have charge
of her own offspring. IF anyone can
show" continued Mr. Copeland that
Mrs. Shipton is not a proper person to
have charge of Elsie, or that some other
person is willing and better able to ed
fa,. 4I,r,,
the matter can probably be ar
ranged But no one can legally
deprive the mother of her right unless
1t is proved that she is morally not a fit
person to have charge of her child. She
has only one fault-she is poor I ask
that the court make an order that the
mother may see Elsie. and opportunity
afforded that she may talk freely with
her daughter Then if it is still the
girls wish. another guardian may be
appointed"
Such an order was not seemingly to
the liking of Mr.. Holton. 1.-The matter of
her seeing the girl" he urged "can be
disposed of after our petition has been
acted upon. There should be some con-
sideration shown the girl herself when
she has reached the age of 16 or II
years"
In order that the desire of the girl
should be learned Elsie went upon the
witness stand. She looked well, and was
dressed as her matureness Of form de-
manded, rather than her age would war
rant Mr.. Holton, in placing her age at
the limit of II years was below the mark
rather than above. Her sister Della
sitting close by and dressed very pret-
tily, looked fully that age. At the trial
of Mayne Elsie's exceeding short frock
and hair done up in a pig-tail gave her
a schoolgirl appearance, but yesterday
she was in dress and manner a very
coldly self-possessed young lady.
She testified to being Is years of age
and that she wished Miss Wills to be ap-
pointed as her guardian. She refused
TO state where she lived. and in response
to an inquiry from the court why she de-
clined to answer, said that If she told
she would be bothered the same as be-
fore. She denied that any effort had been
made to influence her.
Judge Clark inquired why she did not
want to go to her mother and witness
explained by saying, MY mother doesn't
care anything for me; she has gone over
to the wrong side.'
What do you mean?" inquired the
court.
s.suHvW 'IW OF IeAo euoS seq GUS.
side"
There was pathos In the words them
sslves, but none whatever in the manner
of their saying. 1t was simply calmly
stated fact having a direct bearing on
her actions as a business proposition.
The pathos came later.
II understand" began Mr.. Copeland.
when the examination of the girl had
ended. when she went upon the stand
she would say Just what she was re-
CURED to say. I"
you don't mean" interrupted Mr..
Bolton with warmth. ''to say that"
II mean to say nothing that require
you to make reply" answered Mr.. Cope.
land. II don't think it right that the
mother be deprived of seeing and talk
ing with her daughter before the girls
person was disposed Of
well, she can see her." said Judge
Clark.
Are the girls desires in the matter
not to be considered at all?" inquired
Mr.. Holton.
"It is not question of imprisonment" )"
dryly replied the court.
Major Lee of the law firm of Lee G.
Scott, who was present as the represen-
tative Of Miss Frances Wills, desired tc