The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1901-04-25

Last November Mrs Justina Whitman died at the home
of her brother in this city, after short Illness leaving
young The child taken to Altoona and left in the
custody of his grandparents Now appears that there
has been fight for the custody of the child whom
is claimed the adopted of family in Chicago.
Years ago the mother who died here personal
friend of family Moitt, living in Chicago and when
developed that she had married unfortunately and been
imposed upon by adventuer to whom she supposed she
legally married with her child she started in the
world make her living and provide best she could
herself and boy Finally it appears she consented to the
adoption of the boy by the family of her friends and the
little fellow lived with them for number of years Last
August Mrs. Whitman appeared at the Mofitt home and
took the little boy out trolley ride, this
last of him by the Mofftts The mother and child
here, and after short residence in Washburn the
mother died. and the child the home of it's grand
parents at Altoona.
registered letter written by one school boy and re-
ceped for by another solved the mystery which followed
the alleged kidnapping of Berne Moftt last August
the house of his foster parents The year old boy
whom detectives have been looking in vain since his
MOTHER ustna Wlllman carried him away from Chicago
received and eceped for the letter himself the residence
of his grandfather in Altoona. Now Attorney John Mot
the foster father believes that he has only await the legal
proceedings in Eau Claire, to the boy.
The employment of registered letter locate the
missing boy suggested to Attorney Mofitt by
animation held recently in ST. Patricks school the
pupils in letter writing When Frank Mott ID years old
mentioned that he had to write letter
cured to his father
'Write letter Bernie said his father 'Perhaps
the little fellow might get it, We will send Claire
Wis, that is the last place we heard he in
Frank wrote the letter. and sent by registered
mail On the train went another letter. this from Mr.
Moft to the postmaster of Eau Claire, directing him
liver the first to one but the boy himself and to make
him sign for it, If he did not call for it the postmaster was
directed to forward the letter to Altoona The boy
found in Eau Claire but at Altoona the plan succeeded
Young Mofftt who lis supposed, had been in the Wis
consn town in the house of his grandfather brought
FORTH and he signed the receipt The return slip sent
to Mr. Moftt in Chicago. Clarence Moftt older son
of the attorney, left at for Altoona and took up
for his foster brother He did know 90
whom to question He confded his story to minister
and asked for advice The clergyman told him where
thought the house in which the boy hidden located
AS Clarence left the house he heard cry
'Clarence Carence!'
He turned and in nearby window his foster broth
While he questioning him eagerly the boys grand
father out of the house, and ordered him under
penalty of arrest Mot consulted Attorney A. j. Suther
land of Eau Claire, and secured writ of habeas corpus
When the child brought into court the defendant
Whitman, the grandfather secured continuance and the
boy placed the custody of Justice of the Peace James
j. Mcmahon.
The defense ntimated that the foster parents of the
child not proper to for him. 10 refue
this Attorney MOft has secured dispositions from many
Chicago lawyers, and will go Wisconsin to fight for pos
session of the boy.