The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-09-11
CHILDREN
-s:s2-- A
/ FIGURE
In COURT.
Anfl-CrusIty Society Brought
Many Cases Before Judge
Sphinx Today.

Today was red letter day with the
Rhode Island Society for the Prevention
| OF Cruelty to Children in the municipal
court,
The society requested the custody OF
Ella Keely, the twelve-year-old daughter
OF julia A. Keeiy.
The warrant stated that the occupation
of the child was such that its health was
fast being impaired
Peter Keely, "A brother OF the child. tes-
tined that his sister was never allowed
10 leave the house and consequently was
deprived OF the necessary fresh air which
is SO essential to iife
Or. Gleason testified that the child was
sunering from lack of proper exercise
and the proper amount of oxygen.
Mrs. IL. T. Doyle corroborated the pre-
ceding Witnesses testimony and after
due deliberation, the child was given TO
the society with the long name.
Mr. Thurber also applied for the GUS
tody OF Nora Smith, years OF age.
daughter of Kate Smith. who recently
made several Intellectual attempts to end
her life by committing suicide.
K The warrant charged that the child was
habitua lsufferer for the want OF food
and clothing
ness called. She testified that she knew
both the child and the mother In her
opinion the child did not receive the
proper nourishment, and was also poorly
clothed.
/, Katie Smith. whose sanity has been
questioned by many. could not attend but
was represented by her sister
Mrs. Emily s. Billings testified that she
saw Miss Kate Smith and the child in the
ana that the mother threatened TO COM
NIT suicide. which showed that she was
a sufferer from mental trouble
Judge Sphinx ruled that the mother was
not fit person To care for the child and
delivered II into the custody Of the soci-
ety.
The next case for attention was that of
the society for the custody of Ida NJ.
George e. and Herbert j. Mowry
Thomas West represented the father of
the children, and aupon agreement by
Mp. Thurber the children were allowed To
remain i'm the custody OF the father. pro.
vided that the father provide a home with
the proper surroundings
The fact was brought ont during The
testimony that the children's mother. al
though white woman. was living with
colored man somewhere within the state
limits, and that divorce proceedings were
now pending.
me father testified that his particular
branch OF work had been dull for SOME
time and tina itihad been practically sn,
possible TO support the children as thsv
Should have been.
Judge Sphinx ruled that he might have.
tho children and as he walked osIt or the /,
court room the scene was somewhat. ma
thetic- ~
The society had a strong case in regard
TO the child OF William and Grace John~
son, and, after hearing the testimonv of
Mrs. Rowe and Messrs 1hurber md
Rowe. the children were given up to the
society wit hitch long name, until they he
come OF age.
The next case 10 be considered was the
one where Mr.. Thurber requested the
custody of Ethel T.. and William Kepne-
dy. aged and years. respectively.
IL came out I'm The testimony that tba
children had been boarding with Mrs
Sarah ]. Kennedy. and that tho father
had paid their board regularly until obout
a month ago. when all paternaI reia,,on
was cut OF. and since that time he has
not been seen.
Mrs. kenney testified that she had heer
WI and was now physically unable To care
for the children. The society got the cus-
tody OF the children until their maturity