The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-08-01
End of a Long Controversy Over
PalumIund Estate.
Develops Romance Originating
in Sweden.
STORY OF FOSTER CHILD
Though Not Formally Adopted
She Gets Property.
Will Amount to Over Ten
Thousand Dollars.

A decision was handed down late
Monday afternoon by Judge Dana of
the district court that combines more
than a trace of the pathetic. with a
tinge of the romantic.
There is nothing in the title OF the
case Morrison VS.. Anderson to attract
unusual interest, yet there is a story
there:
Sometime back in the early sixties
Nels Palumlund and Celia Palumlund
who had lived all their lives in small
hamlet in Sweden made up their minds
to free themselves from the peasants
yoke and forever forswear their alleg-
lance to a king.
of peasants, but strive as they would
the conditions of the country were such
that twas all they could do by extreme
frugality to save passage money to
America, and when they made known
their intention to leave the fatherland
the days Intervening were made lively
ones and the youthful couple enjoyed
the favors shown them.
About this time little wee baby girl
came into Nels' brothers already
overcrowded family. The day of sailing
was again postponed for Nels and Celia
must act as godfather and godmother
to the little girl.
In Sweden as in most old countries
the christening of a child is a matter
of no small Importance and the day was
one not to be forgotten by the godfather
and godmother of little Celia, for the
little one was christened after its fair
young godmother. Finally the day for
sailing came and the feasting and joyful
ness was turned to a day of sorrow as
the young party sailed from their native
land for far away America.
In due time they landed and made
their way to Topeka, and by frugality
and thrift on the part of Nels and his
wife, Nels working at his trade of cab
met maker, they began to save little
which by careful investments and the
increase of the value of their holdings
finally placed them in position of COM
parative ease. They were happy, but
they did not forget the little baby girl
back in Sweden who bore the wife's
name. They were childless, and finally
decided to write Nels' brother asking
for the little one. promising to rear her
as one of their own, educate and clothe
her, and when the time should come
for them to leave this vale of tears little
Celia was to be their heir. Letters
which passed proved all this.
The brothers family was already so
large as to be burdensome and he at
last agreed to send the little girl to her
godparents in America, a friendly Swede
bringing her over. ~
The little girl grew to womanhood
and received all the care and attention
upon one of their own, for they grew
to love her as their own child.
AS time rolled around young coun-
tryman fell in love with and finally mar
ried the girl. Her name then became
Mrs Peter Anderson. In time a family
grew up around them in their modest
little home near the Santa F'e shops in
Topeka. Peter Anderson is known
today as one of the Santa Fe's most
reliable engineers.
In 1901 Nels Palumlund died, his wife
surviving him but a little over a year.
With the closing of the casket lid began
a fight for the property that the Pa
lumlunds had left to their namesake
and since then the battle has been
waged between the three brothers and
one sister of Nels, all of whom had
emigrated to America.
One of the claimants to the estate
was the father, who years before had
given his little daughter away and per-
mitted her to become a resident among
strangers in a foreign land.
The property consists of lots and
houses in the city of Topeka and is
probably worth between $4,000 and $15,-
600. The suit was brought for specific
performance of contract and the find
| ings as made by Judge Dana sustain
every contention as set up by Mrs. An
| derson's attorneys.
The foster child will receive heI
heritage.