The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-02-13
Pidfu| Plea Of Pretty Little Ger
trude masreson.
FATE OF 10 YEAR OLD GIRL IN BALANCE
Application of Mrs. MeManus for
Guardianship Papers Up Before
Judge Brents Today.

II want to live uith auntie because
she treats me good"
Sobbing as if her little heart would
break little 10-year- old Gertrude Mas
terson, over whom her aunt, Mrs. A. J.
McManus, and her grandmother, Mrs.
D. Bischoff, are fighting for possession,
thus expressed her wish to Judge
Brents this morning when questioned
by Attorney Allen Reynolds whom she
would like to live with.
Il want to stay with auntie. She
treats me good" the little tot reiter-
ated, drying ner tears as auntie bent
over her and assured her that no harm
was to befall her.
Weighs in Balance.
The custody of Gertrude Masterson
weighs in the balance and not until
Judge Brents hears all the evidence in
the case of the application of Mrs.
McManus to be appointed guardian of
the little girl will her future home be
determined. Mrs. D. Bischoff, grand
mother of the girl, who is opposing
Mrs. McManus and desires to adopt
Gertie as her own child was in court
this morning with ner attorneys, J. H.
Pedigo and Frank Sharpstein, while
Mr.. and Mrs. McManus were repre-
scented by Attorneys Marvin Evans and
Mrs. McManus to be appointed guard
ian of the girl will probably not be
decided until after the petition of Mrs
Bischoff to be given permission to
adopt her is given hearing.
Mrs. F. NJ Bowman, Max Baumeis-
ter, J. G. Scott and George Smell all
testified to the excellent nome life of
Mr.. and Mrs McManus and expressed
the opinion that she was "A fit and pro-
per person to have the custody of the
little girl, who is a sister by adoption
of Mrs. McManus Both Mr. and Mrs.
McManus expressed a decided desire
to be given custody of the girl, both
promising to give ner the best of care
and attention.
Little Girl in Tears.
The little girl was the last one to be
Id % Ixy
for Mrs. McManus and the first ques-
ton brought forth flood of tears.
Mrs. McManus finally quieted her and
through sobs she expressed wish to
be allowed to stay with auntie.
LIE F. A. Shaw, j. M. Hill, Adolph
Schwarz and Mrs. Bischoff were called
by the attorneys for the Bischoffs.
Messrs. Hill and Shaw testified to the
general good reputation Of Mrs. Bisch-
off, although as to the home life and
temperament of Mr.. and Mrs. Bischoff
neither could enlighten the court to
any great extent Mr.. Bischof, 1t
seems, is employed around town doing
odd jobs. For several years Mr..
Scnwarz testified that Mr.. Bischoff had
tended bar for him. Although Mrs.
| Bischoff is a sister of his, Mr.. Schwarz
said he had not been around their
| home much and did not know whether
| they kept beer Or other intoxicating
| liquors at home.
Wants the Child.
Mrs. Bischoff, who desires to adopt
her little grandchild. said she had al
ways felt an affection for the girl and
would give her a good home and edu-
cate her. She said she had not seen
the girl very much the past few years
since she had been adopted by Mrs.
Masterson. Several times soon after
Gertie was adopted by Mrs. Masterson
Mrs. Bischoff said she called at the
| Masterson home to visit the girl, but
one day a son of Mrs Masterson's told
her not to come any more. Since then
the only time she had seen Gertle was
when she would pass by her home.