The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1901-01-03
Infant Daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. George
HOIderness the Cause of
Domestic Drama.
FATHER SEEKS TO USE FORCE.
Goes to the Home of the Grandmother and
Attempts to Remove Child and is
Met With Determined Opposition

One of the most sensational Incl
dents that ever took place in Kenosha
occurred on last Saturday afternoon,
when George Ho1derness attempted to
take his infant daughter from the
home of Mrs. j. H. Swift, on Prairie
avenue. He attempted to take the
child by force, against the express
wishes of Mrs. Swift, and then a
struggle for the possession of the child
ensued.
The attempt to take the child and
the ensuing struggle has caused
great excitement in Kenosha. 1t
has caused great deal of comment in
all circles, and it is safe to say that the
comment is not favora BILE. to the man
in the case. The story of the attempt
to take the child is a most thrilling
one.
Ho1derness went to the Swift home
shortly after three O'Clock. He had
been allowed the freedom of the house,
and when he arrived he told Mrs.
Swift that he had pcome to take the
baby. Mrs. Swift protested, but he
she feared force would be used, and
she rushed to the telephone in the rear
of the house to ask for police protec-
ton. AS she left the room 'the father
rushed upstairs and seized the child
from the arms of the nurse who was
caring for it. He was coming down
the back stairs when discovered by
M ca ~ H. f~@~ NEh t1.HA
house where he was met by the grand
mother. In the meantime the maids
were attracted to the scene'and rescued
the child from the hands of the father.
When the child had been restored to
the nurse Mrs. Swift fell on the floor
in faint, and Ho1derness rapidly left
the premises. An officer was at once
summoned to the house, but no effort
was made to arrest Holderness.
The news of the domestic trouble
was soon spread to all parts of the
town, and it caused great excitement
among the friends of Mrs. Swift, who
hurried to proffer their assistance.
Sunday the affair was made more
general, and great indignation was
engendered by the action of Holder
ness. The excitement reached it's
height at noon, when number OF
prominent business and professional
men met at the Grant house and sent
committee to wait on Mrs. Swift. The
committee informed her that it was the
sentiment of the meeting that the pro-
found sympathy of the city be given
her, and that the committee as well as
the men at the meetingi were pledged
to support her in any efforts she might
make to keep the child.
In order to a11ay the fears of Mrs.
Swift Under-sheriff Edward Abel was
ordered to take up his abode at the
Swift home and remain as guard to
the child until the matter has been
settled in the courts.
The next move in the case is being
watched with great interest. 1t is
supposed that Holderness will appeal
to the courts to secure possession of
the child. The little baby is not in
dangerous condition, as has been ru-
mored.
The whole affair is the result of
strained relations between Mrs. Swift
and her son-in-1aw. At the time of the
marriage of Miss Jennie Swift and
Mr.. Ho1derness, the friends of the
young lady were not pleased with the
match. However, they had been
reconci1ed, and at the time of the sad
death Of Mrs. Ho1derness three weeks
ago it was decided, as it is claimed, by
both the parents that Mrs. Swift
should take the child and care for it.
Of course it will be patent to all that
the father had a right to the child, but
his move to secure it by force was GER
tainly an iH-advised one.