Omaha daily bee., 1907-02-28
INTO COURT
Compelled BY Judges Refusal to Proceed to
Chow Himself.
WILL Be ON WITNESS STAND TO-DAY
Redick Asks How much Longer VIII
THIS Father Vowing such Love
for children Remain
Absent.


Charles C. Bassett. former husband Of |
Mrs. Fannie Rice Bassett, win make his |
first appearance before an Omaha audi
ence this morning at 9:A5 o'clock In Judge |
Rediek's court, where the battle is going |
on for the custody Of the Bassett children.
Mr.. Bassett has been in the city for ten
days, but throughout the strenuous battle
in the court ne has been conspicuous by
his absence IL was a bitter reference TO !
this absence by the court and the courts
refusal 10 hear further evidence until he
had seen Mr. Bassett and heard his testl-
mony that forced Mr.. Bassett's attorneys
to produce him without further delay.
In the battle forsthe custody OF the chill
dren yesterday the court had heard the !
testimony OF several of Mrs. Bassetts
neghbors in Omaha to the effect that she |
was a model mother and most devoted to |
her children. The court declined to hear |
further Testimony along this line and Mrs.
Bassetts attorneys rested.
Mr.. Stout, on behalf Of Bassett. then
made a statement pointing out that, the
law having declared Mrs. Bassett guilty |
by the decree awarded Mr.. Bassett in
Washington. Mrs. Bassett was manifestly
not a ut person to have custody Of the
children. This called forth a spirited reply |
which he declared that the court must
have some feeling In the matter and In
which he referred to Christs words In re-
gard TO Mary Magdalene, let him that Is
without sin cast the first stone"
Ultimate Good of Children.
The court held that the ultimate good of
the children was the thing for the court
to decide rather than to take cognizance of
any past crime that might legally be fast
ened upon the mother. Mr.. Bassett's at
torneys then had to proceed with their
case. They were about to do 80 by reading
dispositions taken for use in the divorce
suit. To this Attorney Van Dusen made
strenuous objection and It was then that
Judge Redick demanded to know about
Bassett.
How much longer" demanded the court,
will this father who pretends to have 50
great an interest in his children walt to
appear in this court. This trial has pro-
ceeded now for two weeks and he Is said
to be in the city. but have not seen him.
He may be a myth mere phantom OF
the imagination for all know"
Your honor would better ask why this
gentleman is here" exclaimed Mr.. Stout,
pointing a shaking finger toward Rev. Il
Lawrence Hunt, who has been present
every moment of the trial. The minister
sat up straight in his chair and seemed
about to rise, but was held back by Mr..
Van Dusen. Mr.. Stout further pointed out
that Mrs. Bassett would hardly demand
support from a myth or a phantom. Judge
Redick. however refused TO hear any other
DISPOSITIONS or testimony until Mr.. Bassett
has appeared and the much-talked-of but
little-seer man will be on the witness stand
this morning.
Fight for the Children.
The Bassett trial was resumed before
Judge Redick in the district court Wednes-
day morning.
II cannot properly be designated In its
present stage as a divorce trial. for the
court decided Tuesday that the decree
given In Washington to Mr. Bassett was
and is valid and that the parties are no
longer man and wife. The question now at
issue Is the custody of the children. There
I'd are three OF the Bassett children In Mrs.
Bassetts possession, but Mr.. Bassett wants
~ only two Of them. The youngest, Lawrence,
81 he says is not his child This little matter
was the cause of tilt between the attor-
neys Wednesday morning. Mr.. Stout, at
torney for Mr.. Bassett. started the short
but caustic verbal battle with a seemingly
harmless remark.
I'VE contend that the court has entire
Jurisdiction over the two OF Mr. Bassetts
children who are now in Omaha" he said.
Attorney Baxter. for Mrs. Bassett, was
on his feet in an instant with angrily wav-
ing fists.
I'VE resent the statement that there are
only two OF Mr.. Bassett's children here"
- exclaimed. There are three children
hasa and they are Mr. Bassett's."
Recognize Only Two.
1--WE recognize the presence Of only two
of Mr., Bassetts children here" replied Mr.
Stout.
well, we'll show you that there are
three" retorted Mr.. Baxter.
1--WE only ask the custody OF the two
children OF Mr. Bassett and will let Law
renee stay in his mothers possession" an
swered Mr. Stout. Bassett claims his wife 5
youngest child. who was born in Baltimore,
and the birth of whom was kept from Bas-
sett. is not his child, and was born ten
months after he last saw his wife.
Judge RediclC was clear the PROPOSE
ton that he has Jurisdiction over the chill
dren and the hearing OF testimony to de-
termine who shall have them was begun
in the morning The question OF temporary
ahmony for the support OF the children Is
also included in the testimony now being
taken.
Mrs. Rassett Good Mother.
George Seay, journal clerk In the district
court. was the FIRST witness. He lived next
door 10 Mrs. Bassett at Twenty-eighth and
Pacific a year ago He said Mrs Bassett
seemed devoted mother and that her
children seemed attached to her.
Attorney F. s. Howell was among those
who testified in the afternoon as to the ft-
ness of Mrs Bassett TO have the custody OF
the children. lie was neighbor of Mrs