The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-20
FIGHT OYER ORPHAN
Gordon Suit Is for Custody
of Adopted Child.
ANSWER REVEALS SECRET
Foster Mothers Attempt 10 Hide the
Fact from Her Daughter Frus-
trated in Bin Filed by Her Di-
yOrced Husband-Case 10 Be Heard
April 2-ABduction Charged.

Through the answer Of John T. c. Cor
don to the petition Of Maud T. Gordon
for a writ of habeas corpus requiring him
to produce their child, Dorothy n. Gordon
there was revealed yesterday the fact that
the little girl, over whose custody a legal
battle has opened. is but the adopted child
of the principals in the suit. Taken from
an orphan asylum IN California four years
ago, the child, whose parentage is un-
known to her adopted father and mother
has been cared for as their own child, and
IT was through a desire not to reveal the
true state of affairs to the little one that
Mrs. Gordon says she had hoped TO keep
the matter a secret.
This was rendered impossible when Mr.
Gordon fled his answer yesterday. in
which he explained the facts in the case
Mrs. Gordon acknowledged the truth Of
Mr. GOrdon's statements concerning the
adoption OF the child. but Is firm in her
purpose TO secure the custody of Dorothy
through the courts. declaring that her love
for the child is as great as though she
We're her own daughter.
In his answer Mr.. Gordon denies. as al
legged in the petition OF Mrs. Gordon. that
he was ever served in the divorce pro-
ceedings in Minnesota. where his wife
was granted divorce aad custody Of the
child, August is. 1902 Gordon claims that
at that time he was employed in the
United States Pension once IN this city
and was, therefore. beyond The jurisdic-
tlon Of the Minnesota courts.
Gordon explains the presence Of the
child by stating that having been married
eight years and the union remaining
childless, he set about and procured,
through one Dr. Andrew Fine. Of Oak
land. Cal. the child In question frim the
West Oakland Orphan Asylum March ,.
1860, and that ever since he has taken
care Of the child and treated It as his
own.
Tells of Abduction.
Charging Mrs. Gordon with the abduc-
ton of the child, Gordon alleges that
Mrs. Gordon. without his consent and
knowledge. took the child away from his
custody to a place unknown TO him
Regarding the manner by which the
child's whersa bouts were brought 10 his
knowledge. Mr.. Gordon states that after
September y, 1903. he received a letter
from one Mrs. H. d. Stone. dated at
MankatO. MINI. which gave him the first
Information of the child after her re-
movaL The letter Informed him that the
child had been in the possession Of Mrs.
Stone for about three years prior to the
date Of the letter. Gordon says that
upon receipt OF this information he took
immediate steps for the transportation
of the child 10 his home in this city,
where she was received October 3 1893.
since which time. Gordon says. she has
been with him under his custody. and
that of MS motheg Mrs, Julia L. Gordon.
Relating Mrs. Gordou's conduct. Cor
don alleges that Mrs. Gordon deserted
and abandoned him while they were Iiv-
ing as man and wife In Minneapolis,
Mimi, and became "a member of the An
drews Opera Company, from which time
TO the the present Gordon claims, she
has continued 20 connect herself with
operate and dramatic companies.
Has Not Asked for Child.
Gordon further claims that Mrs. Cor
don has never demanded possession of
the child; that the child. on the contrary
is unwilling TO &C TO Mrs. Gordon. He
further declares he is unwilling TO sur
render the child % Mrs Gordon and al
leges that the latter is an unit person TO
take Gaze Of her while he is financially so
situated as 20 be well able to provide for
her In every shape and manner
Mrs. Julia l. Gordon, mother of John
+. c. Gordon, declares in a sworn state
ment attached TO the answer Of her son.
that no child was ever born in the wedlock
Of her son and Mrs. Gordon. and that the
child. while being treated as if she was
their own, was merely infof.zsliy adopted
a hearing was set for April by Justice
Wright. Attorney H. S Matthews and
2. a. Bowen, jr.s appear for the respond
emf