Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-01-31
Thirteen Year Old Son of Local Military Man Went Away Alone and Unaided
 
MRS CARTER IN WANT
She is Also Sick and Is Being Cared For By Friends. Attorney O'NeilI Receives a Letter From the
 Woman.

It developed to-day that Captain Henry B. Carter's boy, Henry. aged Is years, was not kidnapped by his mother. but of his own volition went to her in Maiden, Mass. Thus MY Carter's accusation that the boy was kidnapped by his wife and on the ad- vice of her counsel, Attorney John O'Neill. falls to the ground.
 MT O'Neill was asked to-day if there were any developments in the matter and he said that he had noth- ing further to say to what he had al ready stated further than that two years ago Mrs Carter complained to him that her husband was not sup porting her and that she did not then appear to have been extravagantly clad. She also complained of being abused by her husband, but whether she said blows were struck MT O'Neill did not recall Edith, the daughter, always sided with her father, while the boy Henry always took his moth CTS part.
 Tt is my recollection that at that time l wrote to the captain of his wife's complaints and think he took legal advice and there was some amendment on his part. At that time the captains parents were living in the same house with him, but not in the same apartments, and he con- tributed toward their support. Last spring he sold the house and he took HIS parents, his wife and two children to Scituate, Mass, because he consid- cred living there was less expensive than in Waterbury. He stayed in the town few days himself. and then came home, bringing the boy with him. He did not leave his wife and daughter with an abundance of sup plies, either of money or the neces- saries of life, by any means, and the result was that in a few days the daughter came back to Waterbury. Meanwhile no money was sent to Mrs Carter, but she had the furniture and she hired room or two, don't know how many, and went to live there, using the furniture. She got some old mating and put it down on the floor and got work for small wages at a neighbours. Very little money, if any at all, was sent to her by the captain. she says, though he was earning 330 a week here in the clock shop. Then she wrote to me asking if she could not have her boy go to live with her, because he pre- ferred to be with his mother rather than with his father. l wrote her in reply that under our law both par ents are joint guardians of their chill dren and that she would have no right to take the boy out of the state without the permission or order of the probate court. I told her also that Kidnapping was. very serious crime in this state and that she ought to take no risks on that score. And told her. too, that children of 14 years of age can choose their own guardians and that the courts al- ways appoint the children's choice without regard to the wishes of the parents.
 Mrs Carter came to Waterbury last summer and again consulted me in regard to making her husband support her. She had no means and it would be necessary. to carry out her wishes, to go to the city court. She having no friends and no money and being on the bounty of her friends in Scituate. she was actually compelled to go back. She had just enough money to pay her fare here and back. She wanted her boy and I told her substantially what had written her on that point some time before. 1 have not seen Mrs Carter since then and did not hear from her until this morning, when on r, aching my once found this let ter from her. substantially the con- tents of the letter are that three V, eks ago she left Scituate. Mass, to visit relations. and while away sne was taken with grip which re- rrlted in the formation of an abscess |. both ears. She is still very i'll and the doctor says it will be a couple of months before she is better. For some time my boy and l have been writing each other and I have been wanting him to come to me and he came to-day. How glad I was to see him. He wrote his father to-day tell. ing him not to worry about him. Now, ' want to know If I can get my husband to support the boy and my self and to have him send Henry's clothes. Inc boy wishes to live with me and my people are very kind to me. If you want a copy of the letter he sent his father I will send 1t to you Now" said Mir O'NeiIl in con- clusion. this letter is dated January 90, and that is all know about the Carters." He would not say where Mrs Carter is staying nov. or what postmarks the letter bore. preferrfng. he said, to keep that information pri- vate until he answers Mrs Carter's letter and hears from her It is said