Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-21
Father Tries 10 Regain Possession of
Daughter Mother Had Kidnapped.
7NcW York Herald)


DERBY, CONN, July 19.-Extraordi-
nary circumstances, under which Mrs.
George Rowen to-day obtained posses
sion Of her daughter Georgia, years old,
from whom the mother had been sepa-
rated for five years, is the only topic Of
conversation here tonight. There is sor-
row in the home OF Mr.. Rowell, who, in
| trying TO regain possession of his child,
was forcibly elected from train by
those who went to the mothers assist
ance in reply to her cries for help.
Rowell heard of Georgia's disappear
ance, and jumped on a train as fl was
moving away from the station, at o'clock
tonight. He found his wife, from whom
ne was separated, sitting with their
| daughter in her lap. Rowell grabbed the
child and made a dash for the car plat
form. In response 10 the mothers
screams he was held by passengers ana
the child taken from him. The train was
stopped, and the child being returned TO
Mrs. ROwel. her husband was elected
from the car.
MARRIED EIGHT YEARS AGO.
George ROwell is a son of Luzon Rowell,
who for twenty years was the tax-col-
lector here. He is a superintendent in
the Driggs-Seaton Gun and Ammunition
Company's shops. lie was married eight
years ago TO Emma Decker, the daugh-
ter Of a widow who had lived here seve-
raj years.
The early married life Of the young
couple was a happy one. but clouds final
ly appeared. Georgia was born, but even
this did not suffice to brighten the home.
Rowell and his wife finally decided that
a separation was Inevitable, and four
years ago Mrs. Rowell left here, and, it
is believed. went to New York city 10
live. Her next appearance here was this
afternoon.
Georgia has always been in the custody
of the husband, although there had never
been any court proceedings. He was fear
full, however, that some day his wife
would attempt TO get possession OF the
child. and therefore he hired a COVER
ness Miss Grace Cromwell who was al
ways watchful Of her charge.
Rowell was absent from his home this
evening and Georgia, with Miss Crom-
well, had started for Bradleys green
houses, a short distance from their house.
They had walked about a hundred yards
when a carriage drove up and Mrs. ROwell
jumped out. seized the child, and
FASTENED back TO the carriage, which was
driven away at "a furious gait. Miss
Cromwell screamed and ran I'm the direc-
ton the carriage had gone. Pursuit was
useless however. and she ran home.
HUSBAND IN PURSUIT.
The husband returned ten minutes later,
and the young woman told him the story.
He rushed out of the house and hurried
TO the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford railroad station in time TO see the
o'clock train pulling out. lie climbed
aboard, and found his wife with her
arm around Georgia. Rowell leaned over
the seat and lifted the little one into
his arms. lie darted for the door, but
the woman's screams brought the pas
sengers to their feet, and men jumped
for Rowell and held him.
j.. t. Coils, the conductor of the train,
had pulled the bell rope and as the
train slackened speed demanded that the
child be returned TO its mother Rowel
refused and made another effort TO free
himself as he held Georgia tightly to his
breast.
Among those who were holding Rowell
was George w. Beach, superintendent Of
the Naugatuck Division of the New York.
New Haven and Hartford railroad. He
finally succeeded in freeing Georgia from
her fathers grasp, and carried her back
TO Mrs. Rowell who was now almost
hysterical. The tears that coursed down
her cheeks fell on the child's face as
Georgia cried for her father.
Some of the men passengers and the
conductor forced ROwell out Of the car
and then TO the ground Coils pulled the
bell cord, and the father stood beside the