The Washington times., 1902-07-01
The Court Said Aunt
Was Plainly in
Contempt.
WARNED NOT TO INTERFERE
Mrs. olerich Not Punished, But May Be
If She Harbors the Children Again
Justifying Circumstances-The Little
Ones Overcome by Grief.

The Douglas twins Virginia Lee and
Grace Kimball, were yesterday the chief
attraction in Equity Court No. 2. where
their aunt, Mrs. Jessie H. Olerlch, was
called to answer a rule to show why she
should not be punished for contempt,
which was issued at the instance of her
sister, Mrs. Minnie Bibb, the mother of
the children.
The girls are petite, pretty, and in
teresting looking, and are about thirteen
years of age. Often before have they
been the subject of litigation in the local
courts and on all occasions have shown
g preference for their aunt rather than
for their mother. 1t is said that with
the exception OF a week or two when
the mother of the twins took them South
some years ago to look after the interest
of the children in some property left
them by their father. John Douglas. they
have until about eighteen months ago,
always resided with Mrs. olerich and
their maternal grandmother, Mrs.
Rachel Bell
About two years ago Mrs. Douglas re-
married and then she desired that her
children should live with her. AS Mrs.
Olerich had cared for the children since
their infancy she was loath to part
with them and the children, too. re-
fused to leave her.
Habeas Corpus Proceedings.
Mrs Bibb then sought to get posses
sion and the custody of her children
through habeas corpus proceedings. She
was successful. and after year or more
OF litigation in both of the District
courts. in March last, the late Justice
Bradley signed an order requiring Mrs.
Olerich to release the children to their
mother. The girls objected and tried
to escape from the courthouse. They
were captured by two deputy marshals
and finally delivered to their mother,
who took them to her home. The order
of the court also restricted Mrs. Ole
rich from in any way interfering with,
influencing or harboring the children.
Since they have been residing with
their mother the twins have been at
lending the city public schools, and IL
is said on three occasions have run
away from their home and returned to
their aunt. The last time they dld tnls
was on June IS. the last of the school
days before the summer vacation
According to the testimony given yes
terday before Justice Hagner, II appear
ed that when Il. children arrived at
Mrs. olerich's home. one of them was
very i'll and was put to bed. She also
stated that she wanted the children to
return TO their mother, but they refused
to do so. On the following day she said
she reported the matter to the Board OF
Childrens' Guardians, and they were
turned over to its care.
In the meantime. Mrs. Bibb applied to
the court to enforce the order of March
26 last, made by Justice Bradley. and TO
require Mrs. olerich to show cause why
she should not be punished for contempt
for disobeying the order.
Plainly in Contempt.
After hearing the evidence on both
sides Justice Hagner stated that Mrs.
olerich was plainly in contempt, but in
consideration of all the circumstances he
would not impose any punishment. He,
however, called Mrs. olerich to the bar