The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-11-20
New Haven Couple Adopt Young
Wait From Hospital.
A Mystery Surrounds the Par
entage of the Child.
LEFT In NURSES CARE
Supposed Mother Fled Never
Telling Her Name.
Writes Threatening Letters In
timating kidnapping.

Wichita, Nov. 2O.-The Eagle says:
| The revival of an old mystery verging
| into sensation, in which a young Wich-
ita baby plays a leading part, was made
in Hutchinson when Judge Ricksecker
transferred to Mr.. and Mrs. M. J. Hill
ger, of New Haven, the legal parenta ge
of a three year old girl. The baby is
known in this city as Baby Clara
Francis.
The sensational part concerning the
little girl is the fact that it's parents
are unknown and this is coupled with
the desire of some obscure party or
parents to gain possession Of the child,
though refusing at all times to divulgs
their names. Repeated efforts have
been made to steal the child but they
have always been frustrated. Only two
weeks ago two letters were sent from
unknown parties asking that the child
be given into their care. For these rea-
sons it was deemed best to make the
child legal ward of Mr.. and Mrs.
Hflger. Supposition Is rife among the
officers and persons Immediately con-
nected with the case. and their sup
positions are that the child was kid
naped from its mother.
A woman appeared at the ST. Francis
hospital in this city in August, 1904.
carrying six months old child. The
woman's condition was serious. She
took treatment at the hospital for sew
eral days and after short time re-
gained sufficient strength to walk about
the hospital She persistently refused
to give any information concerning
herself. One day she disappeared, leav-
ing the child in care of the sisters at
the sanitarium. From that time until
today the woman has never been seen
to be recognized.
Not being able to care for such a wee
tot the authorities gave the little girl
in possession of Mr.. and Mrs. Hilger in
October of that year. With them the
baby has since remained.
Shortly after 1t was taken into the
Hi1ger home an unknown woman who
gave her address as Wichita wrote to
the Sisters at ST. Francis Institution,
claiming to be the little girls aunt. The
letter said that the child's father was
alive and demanded possession of it.
The hospital authorities asked that the
father make the demand to them in
person. He never appeared, but several
more letters were received of a similar
nature to the first. On the receipt of a
letter two weeks ago the authorities
thought that some desperate move
so persistent in their efforts of securing
the child, and wrote to MIR. and Mrs.
Hilger asking that they legal steps
towards adolting HE fI1fant. or 4
= Mr.. Hilger was IN Wichita last week
and secured affidayfts concerning what
was known of the child's history and
it's family connections. These were in
troduced before Judge Ricksecker, who
decided that the circumstances sur
rounding the case was of such nature
to warrant him making Mr.. and Mrs.
Hilger the legal parents Of baby Clara
st. Francis.
1T is the flower of the home" writes
Mr.. Hilger to friends in this city. 'Since
it has made it's home with mother and
things have been brighter. We wouldn't
part with Francis for anything in this
world"
Mr.. and Mrs. Hilger are exercising
every care that the child may not be
taken from them by abduction.