Perth Amboy evening news., 1907-08-21
Mrs. de FeStetiCS
ComeSfromN NY.
With Officers.
MATTER DRAWN
OUT IN COURTS

Gyula de Festetics was taken into
custody shortly before Z o'clock last
night on charge of kidnapping his
own son, nine-year-old boy, Ovel
whose possession Mr. de Festetics and
his wife have been at odds for several
years past. He was released under
bonds in the sum of $500. The war
rant was issued following an indict-
ment yesterday in New York county
Officer Leach and another New York
officer, accompanied by Mrs. Elsie H
de Festetics, and her attorney, Law
yer Donehue, came to this city, and
Detective Sergeant Huff went to the
Packer House with them and served
the warrant. Mr.. de Festetics, with
the child clinging affectionately to
him, went to the police station. Upon
the arrival of Recorder Pickersgill a
hearing was held and bail fixed, pend
ing the receipt of requisition papers
from New York where, it is alleged
by the mother, de Festetics took the
child from her.
Mr. de Festetics is well known in
this city. Over twenty years ago, with
George Tice, he operated a pottery
near the site of the G. Pardee works.
The plant was burned.
Eight months ago Mr.. de Festetics
came to this city with the boy and
has been here since that time. He is
devoted to the child and spends a
large part of his time in pulling him
around in a small wagon.
In conversation with a NEWS re-
porter this morning, Mr.. de Festetics
said that he was married in 1876 In
September of 1900 he and his wife,
he said, separated by mutual agree
ment. There was some difficulty as
to who should have the child, and on
May A.. 1902, the case was taken
before Magistrate Dugrow, who gave
the mother temporary custody of the
boy, on account of his tender age
After that time the child was sickly,
and Mrs. de Festetics being Chris
tian Scientist, her husband says, re-
fused to place him under physician S
care.
Il sent physicians to the house
several times" said Mr.. de Festetics,
but they were not allowed to enter
My daughter, who sides with her
mother and is also a Christian Sci
enlist, being one of their 'healers,
said she could attend the child.
Further actions compelled me to
go before Justice Maddox, in Brook
lyn, on March 20, 1906, to seek a
separation and the custody of my SON.
| was granted the custody of the boy,
pending the end of the action. The
case is still pending in the supreme
court in New York. An affidavit
which l submitted at that time al
legged that had objected to my wife's
actions and those of her sister, Marie
e. Haven that my wife had refused
to have physicians see the boy; that
my wife was on too friendly terms
with a man named Miles w. Beemer,
in boarding house at SIS West 18th
street, New York, and that she had
made arrangements to flee with him
and the boy to Prince Edward Island.
l came here with the boy about
eight months ago, and he has not
only gained nineteen pounds in
weight, but has become able to walk
under proper medical care"
Mr.. Festetics is represented by Jo-
seph E. Stricken and Charles c. HON.
mann as counsel. He said that he is
grateful for the many expressions of
sympathy which he has received from
friends. He formerly boarded on
Rector street, but of late has had a
room on Water street and dined at
the hotel. He has been hailed to
court on like charges preferred by
his wife in the past.