The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-26
MRS. RICHMOND
Gets CUSTODY
Of HER CHILD

The Richmond guardianship case that
for the past year has been a cause celebre
I'm the town OF Coventry. was settled by
the probate court yesterday, when the
child was restored to the custody OF the
mother. Mary E. Richmond, amid the
plaudits OF the villagers, who had fol-
lowed the fortunes OF mother and child
through the several stages OF litigation.
starting with the Coventry probate court
and the appointment OF Charles NJ. Tyler
as guardian. the reversal OF this appoint
ment by Judge Tanner in the session OF
the superior court for Kent county at
East Greenwich. who appointed Alvers o.
Hopkins. an uncle OF the child, as guar
dian, and the final act yesterday. when
Mr.. Hopkins was removed and the child
given into the custody OF the mother.
At the opening OF the session yesterday.
Councilman whitford presiding In the alb
sence of President Arnold, announcement
was made that the motion OF Mr.. Water
man made at the last meeting that the
time in which inventory OF the estate TO
be filed by Mr. Hopkins be extended to
July 20, was denied and the inventory as
filed on July 16 was ordered received. al
lowed and recorded.
Alvers o. Hopkins gave his version of
the kidnapping" OF little Cynthia, and
the use OF blanket to stifie the child $
cries. Mr.. Hopkins explanation, corrobo-
Dy OnNe ttOpklnS, MS uduSnter,
was In effect that Cynthia Richmond and
Rosie Cooney got into Mr.. Hopkins wa
gon before the other children left the
school room and hid under a light horse
blanket. between the seats, to frighten
the other girls when they should get in.
AS soon as they accomplished this the
blanket was thrown of and the children
were taken home by Mr.. Hopkins, as was
his daily custom.
At this point the continued objection OF
Mr.. Waterman 10 the introduction OF pa
pers that had been passed upon In tho
superior court and which counsel claimed
were of no. material interest aroused At
torney s. ". H. Allen to dramatic fervor
and led 10 the declarations:
IF / do not show the materiality OF
this testimony to the court I will go out
OF that door and never enter II again as
a lawyer"
Mr.. Waterman replied: eve have
heard you make such remarks before
Yes, and you'll hear them behind.
too" said Mr.. Allen.
Witnesses were introduced to show the
mothers reliability and character and in
support OF the petition that the mother.
being competent person and the natural
guardian. ought TO have the custody of
her child Then the petitioner rested and
the lawyers Summed up.
MIR. Waterman asked for a dismissal of
tne pettlon, claiming tnat this court has
no Jurisdiction. inasmuch as the appoint
ment had been made by the superior
court
Mr.. Allen argued that the law gave the
custody to the mother as the natural
guardian, counsel contending that never
but once In a practice Of 80 years had
such a case been called to his attention.
Then the councilmen filed into the pri-
vate chamber and emerged shortly to an
nounce their decision in favor OF the pc
titioner, the announcement being received
with cheers and sobs. The women hugged
Mrs. Richmond, who was escorted to
waiting carriage Accompanied by Town
Sergeant Calvin Hopkins, she drove to
Alvers o. Hopkins home, about one mile
distant from the village. Here Cynthia
was turned over to her. the party at the
town clerks office awaiting their return
impatiently.