Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-15
APPEALS TO COURT
Mrs. M. Y. Robertson Denied
Custody Of Daughter.
AN INTERESTING CASE
MOTHERS CLAIK OPPOSED By
MRS. MARY MINNIS.
Fifteen Year-old Girl is Center Of At
traction-Charges and Counter
Charges Made.
AN INTERESTING CASE

More than the usual degree Of interest
was manifested today in the hearing before
Justice Gould Of the Supreme Court Of the
District Of Columbia In connection with the
petition for the writ Of habeas corpus filed
by Mrs. Mary V. Robertson forth purpose of
securing the custody Of her daughter Annie.
In her petition Mrs. Robertson alleged,
briefly that Annie was unlawfully detained
by Mrs. Mary MINIS. and the latter's hus-
band. at their residence, 1901 III street
northeast.
The room of Equity Court No. 1 was
crowded while the hearing was in progress.
The girl who was the subject of the con-
troversy was the center of attraction. She
Is fifteen years of age, her mother asserts,
but two years older, according to Mrs.
MINIS. and was becomingly attired in
white duck with red trimmings.
Many Witnesses Examined.
large number of witnesses were ex-
amined by Attorney Maurice Rosenberg,
representing Mrs. Robertson, and by At
torney ]. Med. Darlington who appeared
for Mrs. MINIS
In answering the petition for the writ
Mrs. MINIS denied that Annie is unla W.
fully detained at her house. and that she
had done anything to prevent Mrs. Robert
son from securing the custody of the girl,
The latter, Mrs. MINIS declared. refuses to
live with her mother. According to Mrs.
MINIS Mrs. Robertson resides in a small
house in the country, in Virginia, where
there are few comforts. and where the girl
could not be properly educated. Mrs. Min
MS added that the ordinary comforts of life
are not wanting at her home, that Annie
Is treated as a member of the family and
entertain for her the same affection, al
most. they would have for their own
daughter.
Brought by Her Sister.
Continuing. Mrs. MINIS explained that
Annie was brought to her house by Mrs.
Campbell, Annie's sister, who explained the
girl could remain with Mrs MINIS as long
as the latter should want her. About two
months ago, the court was further informed,
Mrs. Robertson called at the MINIS home
and took Annie away, but the girl soon re-
turned of her own accord.
A few weeks after Armies return she was
arrested upon warrant from the Police
Court charging her with being idle and in
corrigible. After a trial the case was dis
missed. Mrs. MINIS added:
LAS Annie was leaving the court room
James Robertson, one of her brothers. as
saulted her. for which assault he was
promptly arrested and an Information Is
pending against him. upon which he elected
to be tried by jury
Petitions Dismissed.
Notwithstanding pathetic pleading on the
part of the mother, Justice Gould dis
missed the petition on the ground that
Mrs. MINIS had not detained the girl The
court explained that he was without juris-
dictlon in the matter of the refusal of An
ME to stay with her mother
When Mrs. Robinson approached her
daughter after the hearing Annie ex-
claimed:
I'm scared to death of you and walk
ed away.
After considerable delay the parties to
the cause departed, Annie accompanying
Mrs. Minis.