Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-20
CASE OF YOUNG AMEs
HABEAs CORPUS PROCEEDINGS
OF UNUSUAL INTEREST.
The Matter Assuming an Interna-
tional Appetite Boy Taken
to Uruguay.

When hearing in connection with the Ames
habeas corpus case, continued from last
Saturday. was resumed today before Justice
Barnard of the Supreme Court of the Dis
trict Of Columbia, it was made apparent
that the issue Is liable to assume an inter-
national aspect. The case was first called
to the attention of the public by the an
nouncement that Joseph Preston Ames, a
ten-year-old boy, declared to be the heir
to an estate of large value-his mother hav-
ing been one of the richest women OF South
America-had disappeared and no knowledge
Of his whereabouts could be obtained by his
paternal aunt. Mrs. Helen G. Sparhawk OF
Brookland, D. c., who claims that she Is his
guardian. Mrs. Sparhawk through Attor-
neys Thompson and Laskey, thereupon filed
as respondents Eduardo Larolui and Pepito
Laroqui. first cousins of the boy, and Pres
ton Adams Ames, his granduncle.
Mrs. Sparhawk Tuesday, the 9th instant.
was appointed by the court guardian OF
her nephew. Joseph Preston Ames, the lat
ter being the son Of her deceased brother
ard Octavia H. Ames Mrs. Ames died In
this city Saturday, the 9Th instant, leaving
the boy an orphan. Mrs. Ames and the boy
had been residents Of Uruguay, South
America.
Mrs Sparhawk asserted to the court that
the respondents were obstructing her in
her efforts to gain possession OF her
nephew and ward, for the reason that they
desire him returned to South America,
where. as stated he has large property in
terests. 1t was further declared that
Preston Adams Ames was evading the pro-
cess of the court and that the child was
last seen at his house in this city the 9th
instant.
Mr.. Ames was the only one of the re-
spondents who appeared at the hearing
last Saturday. He denied that he had the
custody Of the child or was responsible
for the care of the lad.
Justice Barnard continued the cause until
today. In doing SO he directed Mr.. Ames
to use his influence to secure the presence
of the child in court.
The Hearing Today.
All the respondents were present when the
hearing was resumed today. Through At
torney Walter C. Clephane, return was
filed by them in which they set forth that
the day before Mrs. Sparhawk was appoint
ed guardian the boy was placed in charge of
the Uruguyan legation in this city, and that
he was sent by the legation to Baltimore.
where he remained one day and thence pro-
ceeded to New York. From the latter port,
SO the court was informed, the lad sailed
last Saturday on the steamer Soldier
Prince for Uruguay. 1t was declared IN be-
half Of the respondents that it was impos-
sible for them to produce the child in court.
and that they had not evaded process in
any way.
"A question arises DIS W WHetHcI JoScpH
Preston Ames is to be regarded as a citizen
of the United States or Of Uruguay. His
father was a native of this country and his
mother native of Uruguay. Upon the
death of the father. 1t is said, the mother
was appointed. in 1893, guardian Of the boy
by the District Supreme Court.
Justice Barnard. after listening to several
witnesses, postponed the hearing until a
statement relating to the case can be Sc
cured from the Uruguayan legation, after
which the court will hear the arguments of
counsel on the law points that have arisen.