The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-12-16
PARENTS AT WAR OVER chill
DREN
Piiiful Story CnfOlded Before the Su-
preme Court.
From The News and Courier.

Y,
for writ Of habeas corpus for the
possession of his children, now in the
custody of their mother, Mrs. Chris
tine Sanders Rembert. Mrs. Rembert,
strikingly handsome woman, with
her four boys, was in court this morn
ing, an interested auditor Of the case,
which was not concluded until late
this afternoon.
Mr.. Rembert, who is wealthy
planter at Rembert's, between Sumter
and Camden, came before the su-
preme court on a petition for the Gus
tody of the three children under four
teen years Of age, all boys. There is
an older boy, student at the Virginia
Military Academy, and a girl, the sec
ond child, at st. Mary's, in Raleigh, at
which school Mrs. Rembert herself
was before her marriage educated by
Mr.. Rembert. Their marriage took.
place nineteen years ago.
| Mr.. and Mrs. Rembert have been
separated for nearly two years, with
an occasional reunion, and during that
time, as brought out today, Mrs. Rem
bert has spent most OF her time in
Atlanta and in Charleston, the latter
city being the home of her parents
Mr.. Rembert has remained on his
plantation, and for time the younger
children were with him, but in May,
1907, he is alleged to have sent them
to the mother in Charleston, writing
her that he desired her to henceforth
regard him as dead to her and the
children, but agreeing to send her
500 per month for their support. This
agreement was subsequently enforced
by decree from Judge Watts The
petitioner, Mr.. Rembert, relied on the
law and the decisions of the courts Of
| this State, which give the father the
| legal custody of the infant children
unless it is shown that he is financially
andSmorally unable to properly care
for them.
The respondent Mrs. Rembert, on
the other hand, set forth that she had
been compelled to leave her husband
by reason Of his cruelty and his dis
sipation it being alleged that Rembert
| drinks to excess. In reply the pc
titioner presented long string OF af-
fidavits from the most prominent cin-
zens, ministers, planters, bankers. leg.
islators and others of Sumter County
testlfying to his good character, So
briefly and worth.
In addition two affidavits were pre-
sented from neighbors rejecting on Mrs
Rembert's chastity in addition to the
allegation that she was addicted to the
use of narcotics. Representing the re-
spondent, Mr.. w. A. Holman, of Char
lesion, objected to the two affidayits
referred to unless he was given time
to reply to the new matter thus intro
duced, and this question was before
the court when the court took a recess
for dinner. This afternoon the coun.
sci for the petitioner announced. that
they would withdraw the two atfida-
Wits If the case were on that condition
allowed to proceed, and this course
was taken.
Mr.. b. A. Hagood, of Charleston
opened the argument for the petition
er' Rembert. He read the record in
the Probate Court of Charleston. In
which 1T, was attempted to have Mrs
Rembert appointed the guardian oc
the persons as well as the estate of the
infant children, and then made a le-
gal argument as to the right of the
father To the children.
Mr.. Holman made the argument for
the respondent, contending that legal
ly as well as naturally the mother is
the proper custodian. Of the infant
children. He also intimated that the
motive back Of this suit was to regain
f"''-'Ns'oipi vi SSi ldlll ldnQ, ZfU acres
which Rembert had first given his
wife and then had caused to be deed
ed in trust to the children, the trustee
being his brother, Prof. A. q. Rem
bert. Of Wofford College. A suit for
this land was instituted only a few
days ago. Mr. Holman also contended
that the father, by sending the chill
dren to the mother, with letter tell
ing her he was thereafter dead to her
and To them, had relinquished his
right 20 their possession.
Col. r. ID. Lee, Of Sumter closed the
argument in an eloquent address for
the petitioner, reviewing the decision
sustaining the right Of the father 70
the infant children as i'm tho casa. 90