Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-06-15

Special to the Register.
CHARLESTON. w. Va, June A.
The habeas corpus case OF Edward G.
and Leota wysong. against Charles ".
and Ella Walton. in the Circuit Court,
in which the plaintiffs seek to secure
possession of Bessie bright girl OF
four, has placed Judge Guthrie in the
unenviable position occupied by Solo,
mon of old, when that ruler decided the
parentage of babe. Judge Guthrie
recognizes the delicacy OF his position.
and is taking more than ordinary pre-
cautions to secure all the facts within
reach. Bessie, whose surname is in
dispute, is in court as the States ward.
and naturally inclines toward the
Waltons, who have been her protect
ors from babyhood.
The case. briefly stated, Id as fol-
lows: Leota Wysong. whose husband
is a regular army private. and who was
in the battle of Santiago. alleges that
she gave birth 10 the child May 10.
1895, at Huntington, W. VA, before
she and Wysong We're married. but
that Wysong was the childs father.
She desired to escape the disgrace and
her nurse volunteered to find a home
for the child. AS soon as she was able
she went with the nurse and the child
to the home of Mrs. Ella Nj Walton.
aged fifty, who was childless, but de-
sirous of having offspring. 1t was ar
ranged that the baby was to be left
with Mrs. Walton, who should feign
CHILDBIRTH and present the child as
her own, not only to her neighbors.
but to her husband. who had been alb
sent from home for months, upon hls
return home. To make the accouch-
ment appear real, the xqpaaa -
nursed Mrs. Wysong acted in lie same
capacity for Mrs. Walton. and to salts
fy women neighbors a chicken was
killed and the blood and entrails dis
played discretely. She has determined
since her marriage to the chfla's father
that she wants her child. and in this
she is backed up by Wysong.
A number of other witnesses were
examined in behalf OF the plaintiff. all
of whom to greater or less extent,
corroborated Mrs. Wysong's story. One
of the most important was the colored
midwife who attended her during her
ACCOMPLISHMENT at Huntington; Dr. Love,
of Milton: Mrs. Love and several 9TH
ers corroborated a part Of her story.
Ex-Chief of Police Scott Turner. OF
Huntington, was one OF the witnesses
called, and his testimony added to the
strength OF the plaintiffs CASE.
Mrs. Walton alleges the child Is her
own, that all of Mrs. wysong's story Ii
fabricated, and that Mrs. Wysong is
actuated by unnatural love for Bessie,
arising from having been permitted to
entertain her as a visitor.
Crede Wysong is meuiber Of one Of
the most prominent families OF Lin
coin county. and the same Ii true OF
his wife.
The other claimants 10 the parentage
of the little girl stand equally as we'll
in the communities In which they are
known. Mr.. Walton is gentleman
who enjoys the esteem OF all who know
him and Mrs. Walton Is member Of
one of Kanawha's best known and most
highly respected families. Their In
tegrity and honesty is unquextioned.
Each side is ably represented In point
of legal ability and the case IS, and
will be closely contested.
The court room Is crowded with in
terested spectators and listeners who
are anxious to hear the outcome Of
case that probably has no parallel in
the legal annals OF the State.
The trial is still in progress and will
probably occupy several days yet The
case win be decided by the court. no
jury being impaneled.