Evening star., 1902-06-06
PETITION DISMISSED
WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS DE-
MED BRIDES FATHER.
Subsequent Proceedings Cause Arrests
Girls Parents Alleged to Have
Assaulted Her Husband

Justice Clabaugh of the Supreme Court
Of the District of Columbia, after a hear
ing today, dismissed the petition for writ
of habeas corpus filed yesterday by Joseph
A. Sherman for the purpose of securing
possession Of his daughter, Mary Steer
man, who had married without her parents
consent. After the parties left the court
house and had reached a point in Judiciary
Square. about a block away, the girl and
the young man whom she had married were
set upon by the parents and several fe-
male relatives, and something in the nature
of free fight followed. Park and city po-
licemen and deputy United States marshals
interfered, the girls father and mother
were placed under arrest and steps We're
taken to secure warrants for the placing
In custody of others of the attacking party.
Mr.. Sherman, In his petition, alleged
that last Friday Charles Anderson induced
his daughter, Mary, to leave home. The
girl, he asserts, is only seventeen years and
1--WE months of age. Andersou's brother
last Monday, 1t is alleged, secured a mar
riage license from the court upon making
oath that Mary was more than eighteen
years OF age The marriage ceremony
performed Monday evening. In view of the
fact that his daughter is less than eighteen
years of age, and he had not given his con-
sent TO the union. Mr.. Sherman contended
that the marriage was null and void, and
that he was entitled to the custody of the
girl.
Justice Clabaugh explained that the only
question before the court was whether or
not the girl was unlawfully restrained of
her liberty. He was not called upon by
the habeas corpus proceeding, he said to
deal with the question of her age and the
alleged nullity of the marriage.
The Brides Testimony.
Mary took the stand and declared that
she had left home of her own accord and
desired to remain with her husband. She
added that she had believed she attained
the age of eighteen years last December.
Justice Clabaugh, as stated, dismissed
the petition. Attorneys D. W. Baker and
e. H. Syme represented Anderson and his
wife, while Attorneys Strasburger and
Dammann appeared for the petitioner, Mr..
Sherman.
The girl departed from the court house
with Anderson Then it was that the case
assumed another phase.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sherman were arrested by
Park Watchman Welch and taken TO the
sixth precinct station to answer a charge
of assault upon Anderson, the sOn-in-law.
For few minutes there was an exciting
time IN the park. AndersOns hat was
knocked off, and the four members of the
family, it is alleged, were in a general
mix-up.
When the police station was reached Mr..
and Mrs. Sherman offered explanations
which the desk sergeant was powerless to
for their appearance within few minutes,
and they were released.
Mrs. Steerman's Statement
II only wanted to kiss my daughter and
say goodbye to her. Mrs. Sherman said
to a Star reporter. II had not seen her
since Friday. and 1 did want to see her
orce more"
She denied that she had assaulted her
son-in-law. and denial OF the charge was
made by her husband also. Anderson. Mrs.
Sherman stated, caused the trouble by
telling Mary, his wife. not TO have any
thing to say to her parents Her daughter
she stated. met Anderson on a river boat
last summer He had never called at the
house to see her. 1t was stated. The af-
fair Will be ventilated in the Police Court
tomorrow should the son-n-law appear TO
prosecute the case.