Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-28
MOTHER FIGHTS
FOR SONS CHILD
WHITE CASE COMES TO TRIAL
AT LAST
STATEMENTS MADE
BY WITNESSES
Little Daughter of Former Theatrical
Man Says She Would Rather
Live with Her Grand
parent

THE day before her death Jeanette
told me she would die in peace If she
knew her child would be taken care
of by me; that she would rather the
little one was dead than have her go
back to her father"
Il was with jeanette the day before
her death and she said to me: Aunt
Mary, [ would rather you had the
child, because 1 know you could do
more for her. But she belongs to her
father, and what he says must have
some bearing
These are the conflicting statements
made yesterday in the superior court,
the first by Mrs. Virginia Gutsch, aunt
of Mrs jeanette White, who died
March 10 at Monrovia, leaving a little
girl, ANNA White, years old, who by
the terms of a will was left to the care
of Mrs. Gutsch. together with property
amounting to $780,
The second statement was that of
Mrs Mary Jauch, foster mother of I.
Jeff White, an actor father of the
child, who too: her from in front of
the humble home of Mrs. Gutsch,
where he found her playing early this
month, to the palatial residence of his
foster mother.
Mothers Wishes to Hold
That the mothers wishes before her
death will have an influence upon
whatever decision is rendered by Judge
Wilbur was proved yesterday when the
VIII, which few hours before had been
admitted to probate without contention
as to it's genuineness, was permitted
| in the evidence, and the further fact
that Mrs. Barnes, a nurse, who attend
ed Mrs. White in her last illness, has
been sent for and is expected to be
] afo1, dow
the case was continued, in order that
she may verify if possible the state
ments of either of the women whose
petitions for guardianship of the little
girl are now being heard.
The best interests of the child, with
out regard to any financial considera-
tions, WILL it is expected. rule in the
courts mind when a decision is
reached.
Little ANNA, dressed in spotless
wLite and baby blue and with dainty
lace bonnet hiding somewhat her pretty
face, also had a word to say after the
days proceedings were finished.
"I would rather stay with Mamay,'
she said. tugging at the skirt of Mrs
Jauch, "and 1 don't want to go back
to aunty's house. Mamay is good to
me and I have so much fun at heI
house. I like auntie. but don't want
| to go back to her."
The chlld's appearance was in strik-
| ing contrast with her condition when
taken by her father, who said he found
her playing in the dirt, dressed in "a
gingham frock. an old pair of stockings
and old Shoes"
viii Leave City
White also stated it was his inten-
ton to leave for San Francisco at once
and abandon all claim to his daughter
custody of his foster mother.
when the child was in Mrs Gutsch's
care I was not allowed to see her,
forget her father. My mother gave me
every opportunity in the world and ]
want the child placed with her an6
know she will have a good home. Mrs
Gutsch has not the money to provide
this. but my mother has, and she will
see that ANNA has a good education
I am going away and do not expect
to return to Los Angeles
Are you going away to get mar
ried?" asked the court.
mo, sir; 1 am not" replied White
positively
White said he was not in disguise
when he took the child, except that hi
wore a new suit of clothes He had
he said, given his wife SIS a week fol
fifteen weeks, beginning two years ago
81 quit when the bank account RAJ
short" said White, "and have sen
nothing since because had nothing t.
send. I have been travelling a lot il
the last year and a half, but not al
| ways on cushions"