Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-06
TWENTY CENTS FOR his GIRL
Amount Mrs DOddsr Says Mr.. Ewsrt Con-
trbut'd 70 support Daughter.
JUDGE BAXTER ATTEMPTS A COMPROMISE
Father of Little Ruth Ewsrt, How
ever, Insists ON Fighting Out His
Claim for Custody OF
the child.

At the request OF counsel for J. S. Ewart,
the father Of Ruth Ewart, the habeas corpus
proceedings before Judge Baxter have been
continued until Saturday Of next week, Feb
ruary Is, the child remaining in the care Of
her grandmother until that time. The
grandmother, Mrs. Ruth NJ. Dodder OF 2429
Franklin street, and her daughter, Mrs.
Male Smith, we're tho only witnesses called
yesterday. They told the same story, al
leging that Mr.. Ewart, who seized the child
last Sunday morning and dashed to Council
Bluffs with her In a hack, had contributed
only 20 cents TO the chlld's support during
the several months that Mrs. Dodder has
had her in charge.
When the attorneys had made preliminary
presentation Of facts 10 the court the Judge
tried TO effect a compromise that should
take the matter out Of court until Mrs.
Bwart shall begin divorce proceedings. as
her attorney announced will be done soon.
His honor proposed as one possible ar
Fangement that the child be given to the
father Immediately to visit him at his home
in Kearney two weeks; that she be then
returned to her grandmother in Omaha to
be put back in school, and that she be
cent. at the fathers expense. to spend at
least two-thlrds of the summer vacation
with him.
The attorney for the father implied tina
the suggestion seemed a somewhat one
eided affair and the Judge commanded
Then proceed with the hearing and the
court may enter not a temporary order in
this matter. but one that will be binding
for all time"
MES. Dodder TestiAes.
II was then that Mrs. Dodder. the grand
a. - -ANN-A A. a. 49, - -
lated her version Of the family history.
She stated that Mrs. Ewart, her daughter.
was forced 20 leave Grand Island on ac-
count Of poor health and went to Cali
fornia, that the husband sent no one with
her n allowed her only $40 a week for
the maintenance of herself and the three
children, that because Of these clrcum-
stances she MRS. Dodder) accompanied
Mrs. Ewart and remained some time, that
when she brought the two girls back from
California she left the elder one, Inez,
with the father at Kearney and gave him
permission to see the younger one here at
the Dodder home at any time. She added
that the father saw the girl when they
visited in Grand Island and brought her
two boxes Of candy, but never sent money
nor clothing. except 10 cents paid on two
different occasions.
Mrs. Dodder occupied the time Of the
court until the noon recess and tho hear
ing was continued In the afternoon. Mr..
Dwarf was in court and at the side Of his
attorney. whilc the child sat in her grand
mothers lap until the latter was called TO
the stand. when she was given into the
care Of her aunt.
Mr.. Ewart's attorney limited to the court
that he had some important evidence to
uncover later. He also emphasized the
fact that Mr.. Ewart's mother Is keeping
house for him and that the home Is now
the proper place for the girl. The child
herself sat through the proceedings indif-
ferent 70 all that was being done and with
no apparent fear or favor for either Of
her relatives.