New-York tribune., 1905-08-03
TO LET KIDNAPPER GO.
IL. B. Nichols Not to Punish Former
Wife, Who Stole Daughter.

Because H B. Nichols fears the effect of
further excitement on his daughters health, he
decided yesterday to take no steps against his
former wife. who is Mrs Frederick Story
Forest of Great Falls. Mont. who played the
star part in a daring Kidnapping scene at the
Greenwich (Conn) station Of the New-York,
New-Haven and Hartford Railroad on Tuesday
afternoon Katherine. the child who kid
mapped. is eleven years old, and according TO
the terms of the divorce which her mother OBJ
tained in Montana she is to spend the summer
months with her father. Both the mother and
child have disappeared and the father has no
trace Of them since they took train for New
York at Port Chester.
Mr.. Nichols was nervous yesterday owing to
the excitement of the day before and his worry
about his daughter. After visiting his lawyer
]. K Berry, at No SO Wall-st-. and talking
over the various courses open TO him to compel
the return Of the child. he returned to his home
at No. 81 Park-ave.. wherefae talked freely with
reporters.
1t was remarked that he did little or nothing
10 prevent Mrs. Forest from taking little Kathe-
rine from him. He said that it all happened so
suddenly that she had departed with the child
before he really got his wits together. A fur
ther statement seemed TO indicate that his
former wife was no mean adversary when
aroused. This he knew from the experience Of
and IN poor health. If he could have found Mrs
Forest yesterday, however. he says he would
have talked up TO her.
At the interview yesterday he grew somewhat
n excited and freed his mind OF some rather drastic
ideas Of women in general and his former wife
in particular. I don't know what 10 make Of
women" he said. Their temerity Is most sur
prising They viii commit any sort Of crime,
kidnap, steal. murder, because they know they
will go free. I would have gone through most
anything rather than bring on my little daughter
the disgrace of a divorce. I would suffer much
to have avoided a scene like that Of yesterday.
The mother Of the child, however, had no con-
sideration. She brought the suit for divorce on
the ground Of incompatibillty Of temper, which
Is no ground at all, and heaped disgrac5 on US"
Mr.. Nichols is greatly troubled because his
former wife seemed 10 get all the sympathy.
he said every one was willing TO help her escape,
while many hindered his pursuit 1t vas pointed
out that under the Connecticut law Mrs. For
est has committed crime punishable with a
heavy fine and imprisonment IN kidnapping her
own child.
Il DO not propose 10 take any action under
the Connecticut law" said Mr.. Nichols yester-
heap any further disgrace upon her. will find
"a way, however, TO protect my rights in the
/ courts"
A friend Of Mrs Forest explained her side Of
The case yesterday afternoon. He said she had
theard that the child was not receiving proper
treatment at the place where she was visiting
Enear Greenwich. The news OF the little girls
broken arm alarmed her, and she hurried on
from Great Falls to take care Of her child The
friend said that the kidnapping scene was just
an excited woman's way Of gaining ends which
could have been gained quietly.
To a Connecticut woman who helped her M:e.
Forest gave her address the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. A Tribune reporter told yesterday
( that she had departed Her former husband
F, fears that she has started West with the child.
From other sources IL was learned that she was
at Long Beach. Long Island. resting from her
exciting flight, and that she would start West
shortly. Her husband is a division super
3ntendent the Great Northern Railway.