Evening star., 1901-07-30
DECISION FAtORS MOTHER
JUSTICE BRADLErrGIyEs MRS. BIBB
CONTROL oFvCHILDREN.
Proceedings Upoag. Application fOl
Writ Of Habsns COrpus-The
Little Girp Rebel.

Justice Bradley o1fthe Supreme Court OF
the District Of Colnmbia late yesterday
afternoon considered tand disposed OF the
proceedings for writ bf habeas corpus IN
stituted the ID Instantly Mrs. Minnie b.
Bibb. The latter aske61 the court to COM
mand Mrs. Rachel Ann Bean and Mrs.
Jessie III. Olerich to- produce Mrs. Bibb
two children in court and to surrender the
custody of the children to the petitioner.
The children, Virgie Lee Douglas and
Grace Kimball Douglas, were born the 11th
OF September. 1890. They were the issue
OF the marriage of the petitioner and John
Douglas, now deceased.
Justice Bradley directed that the chill
dren he restored to their mother upon the
settlement Of an appeal from his ruling.
The court was informed that the petition
er married Allen H. Bibb in June, 1897,
and they have one child, girl four years
of age: that Mrs. Bibb Is the owner OF
real estate In this city and Is abundantiy
able, willing and anxious to provide ana
care for her children. Mrs. Beall and Mrs.
Olerich are the mother and sister, respect
lively. Of the petitioner.
The Douglas children have been residing
with Mrs. Beall and Mrs. Olerich, 1t was
stated, and the relations between the Pc
tttioner and the children have been anec-
tionate. Recently. 1t was explained. con-
troversy arose between Mrs. BeaH and Mrs.
Olerich and the other heirs in relation to
the control Of the estate Of the petitioner 8
father. Charles Beall.
by reason of the controversy. 1t was
pointed out, the relations existing between
the petitioner and Mrs. Beall and Mrs. OLE
rich have become strained and unpleasant.
and, 1t was declared Mrs. Bean and Mrs.
Olerich, who reside at 1910 H street north
east, nave refused to allow Mrs Blbb to
see. have or control her two children.
The charge was advanced by Mrs. Bibb
that Mrs. Beall and Mrs. Olerich have for
TWO weeks past been training the children
70 reoei against going with the petitioner
when taken into court and to insist upon
remaining with their grandmother. and to
re1use In every way possible to submit to
the control of their mother, the petitioner.
Mrs. Bibb added that the children have
Deen told that she would ill-treat punish
and abuse them II she should obtain pos
session OF them, thus for the purhose Of
destroying their love for her and cstranging
their affections from her, land thus to So
cure, II possible, the sympathy Of the
court"
Plea of the Defendants.
Mrs. Beall and Mrs. Olerich declared that
Mrs. Bibb is not entitled to the custody Of
the children for the reason that the re-
spondents have had the care Of them and
have provided for their support since In
fancy
An attempt was also made to show that
Mrs. Bibb for other reasons should not have
her little ones.
The little girls, who displayed intelli-
gence to marked degree, were called upon
to testify. They admitted that they had
heard Mrs. Olerich say their mother was
not a proper person for them to live with.
The fact that considerable feeling exists
between the parties to the proceeding de-
veloped during tho hearing.
When the decision Of the court was an
nounced the children began crying One of
them sighed deeply, clasped her hands and
exclaimed God forbidr' The other made
a threatening gesture toward Justice Brad
ley, which called forth severe rebuke
from the court.
When your mother has you in charge"
said his honor, she will probably teach
you better"
Upon notice Of an appeal being given, the
children were told they might remain with
their grandmother for the time being AS
fast as their feet could carry them they
ran from the court ahouaa.