The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-22
He BEAT HIS CHILDREN
Because They Cared for Theil
Mother.
WHOM HE HAS DESERTED
That Is the Accusation Brought Agains
George F. Titus-Hls Wife Says
He Abused Her Until She
Became Insane.

George F. Titus was arrested yester-
day on a complaint made to the county
attorney by several parties living on
South Main street, who stated that he
shamefully beat his two little boys be-
cause they cried for their mother, whom
Titus had deserted at Grass Valley,
Ore. Titus and the two children who
are but 8 and 5 years of age, have for
about six weeks been occupying
dirty room in the rear of South Main
| street livery stable. The children have
been alone half the time and were
| neglected, hungry and cold Neighbors
say Titus frequently beat them, espe-
cially the youngest, because they cried
for their mother. A complaint was
issued and Titus was arrested by Police
Officer Rocheleau on the charge of as
sault in the third degree. He was ar
| raigned before Justice Harrington and
pleaded not guilty. His bonds were fixed
at 800. in default of which he was sent
| to the county jail. As there was no one
| to take care of the children, they were
| sent to Jail with their father and they
| created a pitiful scene in the sheriff's
| office. They are unusually bright for
| their age and the oldest one seems much
| attached to his father. He was afraid
they would be separated and cried pitt
| fully to be permitted to go to Jail with
| his father.
IF papa goes to jail. l want to go
with him. he pleaded.
Titus was asked why he did not take
better care of the children and the little
| fellow flew to his fathers defense.
| Papa can't get much work." he said,
but he was going to work to-day"
The three We're locked up together in
the womens department of the Jail and
| the children will receive better care
| than they have had since they have
been in Butte with their father.
| When the attention of the neighbors
| was first drawn to Titus some woman
| wrote an anonymous letter to the post
master at Grass Valley inquring about
| the mother of the children, whose name
| was unknown to the writer of the letter.
| She asked the postmaster to find the
mother and have her write to Officer
| Rocheeau. The result was the follow
| ing letter. written by Mrs. Tabtha
| Titus at Grass Valley, April H. which
| was received by the officer:
| Dear Sir-1 am in possession of
| letter, through the kindness of the post
| master of Grass Valley, written by
| some one in Butte who failed to sign
| their name. | am sure those dear little
| boys are mine: their fathers name is
| Frank Titus, and be is not capable of
| taking care of a dog, let alone taking
care of those little boys. He abused
me until | became insane and my broth
ers took me to the asylum, and while |
was there he left the four little girls
and took the little boys and ran away,
and we could not find him. He jumped
a mail route contract and left my
| brothers to pay $500 as his bondsmen,
| or carry the mail-but what | want is
| my little boys. | am now sound and
! sane in mind and am in good health,
J and am living with my father, but
| neither he nor ! nor the boys have any
money a present: can't you make him
| send the boys home He had 500 when
| he left that he got from his fathers
| estate in Washington. near Dayton but
| he has bloWed that all in before now.
suppose as he is d worthless. gambling,
| tritling thing Of a man. Now, if you
! can send the children to Grass Y alley
please do SO The person who wrote
| the letter gave your name and address
| and said you would send me my chill
| dren. | will enclose the letter in this.
| Oh. do please save my children from
| that awful tyrant. and unmcrciful, ly-
| ing, good-for-nOthing man, and receive
| the heartfelt thanks of their mother.
|