The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-13
She HAS HER
BABY BOY NOW
Little Eddie Decker Is Given
Up by John Fischer.
FEAR OF ARREST cid TRICK.
Young MothaT Has Found a Comfortable
Home Tor Herself and Child and Can
Play Santa Claus.
FEAR OF ARREST cid TRICK.

| Paterson, y. j., Dec. 13.-Little Eddie
/ Decker, who has been held by the Fischer
| Home, in Paterson, as a hostage for n
| few dollars due on his board, against the
| to her arms today.
Two good women=ane- ready to furnish
| a home for the unfortunate girl and her
| child, and Viola Decker's wish 10 give her
| little boy a Christmas tree OF his own
this year will be granted
Threatened with legal proceedings. John
| Fischer. manager OF the home, surrend-
cred the fair haired boy 10 his mother.
Mrs. Fischer and her husband said that
Viola Decker had known few OF the COM
forts OF home since her mothers death
several years ago. They said she was not
a fit person TO care for the little baby boy
that was born when she was only sixteen
years old
DENIED HER REQUEST.
Although she had worked hard 60 pro-
vide for her boy, the child's board had
fallen six months or $50. behind.
When Viola Decker lost her place, she
says Mr. Fischer told her she could not
see the child until all the money was
paid. She became frightened and wanted
TO take "E,uie" away with her, but Mr..
Fischer said she could not take her child
or see him.
He also told the distressed young moth
er that ii she would not support the child
she should come before Judge Keyes and
sign papers for release of the boy.
ha Iex.r AIrC al
Viola said she would not sign the pa
pers. | then asked her to come to the
home and l would see what could be done
I'm the matter. She came last Saturday.
/ opened the door and admitted her TO
the office.
rhen-L told -her-that- IL wax -Iaat-rlsit--
ing day, and she said she knew IL, but
came TO take her baby / told her she
could not have him
When questioned by the New York
lawyer Mr.. Fischer admitted that his
home was not incorporated and that he
held Viola Deckers child without COM
mitment from any court or the written
release OF the mother.
Mr. Fischer said that he was the secre-
tary OF the local Society for the Proven
ton of Cruelty TO Children, and declared
that he had n right To commit the child
TO his own institution
Mr.. Van Bovenberg then asked Fischer
whether there had ever been any COM
plaint against the child's motheer that
would place the boy under the society's
care Mr.. Fischer said there had been
no complaint.
HAS HER BABY NOW.
1t finally developed that the only right
the Fischer Home had To Eddie" Decker
Was the existence OF verbal contract be-
tween Viola Decker and Mr.. Fischer
II advise you, Mr.. Fischer. 60 return
the child at once" said MIR. Van Hoven-
berg
II will not give up the child If have to
go 10 Jail for It," said the manager OF
the Fischer Home. 81 am willing 10 take
the consequences l am only acting for
humanity" he continued.
IF you do not surrender the boy" said
the New York lawyer. "a warrant for
your arrest will be sworn out on the
charge OF kidnapping Eddie Decker. If
the child r. not then forthcoming a writ
OF habeas corpus Will be issued against
you"
'oh, DO not have us arrested" cried
Mrs Fischer. "a do not want to be put
in cell. The mother can have the child
l have only tried To do what Is right
And her husband yielded.
With the assurance Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Fischer that the child would be returned
the New York lawyer went To the home
OF Mrs. Frank Wildey, at No. 4Oi Market
street. where Viola Decker now lives. and
told the young mother To call at the Fis-
cher home yesterday morning for her
child.
Mrs. Widey took them both into her
home. Mrs. John Slngland OF Paterson
made the same offer.
The mother will play Santa Claus for
her boy and give him a Christmas he has
not had before. And the child mother
herself will enjoy the day as well.