The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-03-13
AGAIN SENT TO JAIL
JUDGE BAZILLE GIVES WILLIAM f
NECK A SIX MONTHS SEN
TENCE FOR CONTEMPT
IS IT A RELIGIOUS FIGHT
Sectarian Warfare Said to De at the
Bottom of the Contest for
Custody of Ida May
BOWMAN.

William F. Meek was yesterday sen.
fenced by Judge Bazile, in probate court
TO SIX months Imprisonment in the coun-
ty Jail and fine of $780, with a proviso
That II the fine is not paid there will be
an extra month of confinement.
William f. Neck is the guardian of the
Bowman heirs, Oscar and Charles Bow
man, and was an unsuccessful petitioner
lot appointment as guardian of little five
year-old Ida May Bowman, who was ad-
judged the ward of her aunt, Miss Mar.
guerlte Bowman, after a sharp legal con-
test. While the matter was pending in
court the little girl was taken from the
custody of Mr.. and Mrs. r. Prendergast,
with whom she had been left by Miss
Bowman, by Oscar Bowman, her fifteen
year-old brother. Despite numerous cita-
tons, the child has never been returned
TO her guardian, and her whereabouts are
still unknown.
Meek and Geo. e. Sanders, an uncle of
the children, who lives in Minneapolis,
were afterwards brought into court on
an order to show cause why they should
not be punished for contempt Tor refusing
10 disclose as to the wherea bouts of Ida
May. Under the advice of their attor-
ney they refused to answer questions and
were given the alternative of paying 500
fine each or spending ninety days in the
county jail. After an unsuccessful ap-
peal to the supreme court, both men paid
the fine. This, however, did not end the
matter. Judge Bazille made up his mind
that the probate court was not to be tri-
fled with with impunity, and on March 3
cited Meek to appear in court on March u
and either produce his wards, Oscar and
Charles Bowman, in court, or show cause
why he should not be punished for con-
tempt.
Neck appeared in court yesterday ac-
companied by Attorney Slater, of Min
neapolis, who objected to the court pro-
ceedlng with the matter on the grounds
OF lack of Jurisdiction, and that Neck
was entitled to a trial and to have wit
nesses heard. The motion was denied
by the court, who said Neck had been
given since March to prepare his an
Swer
On the stand Meek stated that he had
written relatives at West Superior and
found that the boys We're there There
upon he had written his wards to return
which they had not DONE
You might have had the assistance
of this court the county attorney and
the sheriff if you had DESIRED" said
Judge Bazille. 1T seems apparent to
the court that you did not wish to return
the wards to the jurisdiction of this
court, and that you have been placing OBJ
structiOns in the way"
Thereupon Meek was sentenced to nine
months imprisonment and to pay a fine
of LOCO, and was taken over to the coun-
ty Jail. At o'clock the court ordered
him brought into court and changed the
punishment to a fine of $3.50 and six
months Imprisonment, with the proviso
that in case of the non-payment of the
fine an extra month of confinement is to
be added.
After his client had been locked up At
torney Slater announced that he would
sue out writ of habeas corpus.
Later in the afternoon the estate of
John j. Bowman came up on an applica-
ton of Miss Marguerite Bowman to be
appointed as administrator In view of
the circumstances, the court appointed
Rev. Maurice D. Edwards, who filed a
bond in the sum of $780, The estate con-
sists of $4,000 in life insurance, and per-
sonal property valued at about $780,
The Northwestern Chronicle says:
How far religious bigotry may go is
illustrated in the contest over the guard
ianship of the Bowman children. Miss
Bowman, the aunt OF the children, nap
pens to be q Catholic. Some friends Of
Mr.. Bowman, deceased, are Protestants.
Miss Bowman has lived wi h her brother,
taking care of his family for the past five
years. In the natural course of events
she ought to be appointed guardian of
the children, and she has every qualii-
cation for the office. The only objection
to her is her religion and the awful fate
which, from a religious point of view,
might overtake the child If left to her
care