The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-30
FOR LOVE OF CHILD
Salida Woman Took Forcible
Possession of Viola Hanson.
Mrs. Anna Seaver Had Adopted
Little Girl When a Baby.
TAKEN FROM SCHOOL.
Foster Mother OVsrjOyed When
Child Was Recovered.
Story Somewhat Resembles That
TAKEN FROM SCHOOL.
Story Somewhat Resembles That
of Incubator Baby Case.

| Lawrence, KAN, Sept. 30.-For love
of her adopted child. Mrs. Anna Seav-
| er of Salida, Colo, came to Lawrence
armed with her adoption papers and
took possession of little Viola Hanson
Seaver, a pupil in the fourth grade at
Central, who has been making her
home with Miss c. Gehring.
The case resembIed in many respects
the famous incubator baby case. only
| in this instance it was the adopted
mother fighting for the possession of
the child from the father. who had
entrusted her to the foster mothers
care more than nine years ago. The
child's father, Chris Hanson, lives at
| Springer, N. M, but had sent the child
to Lawrence in the care of Miss
Gehring, his former housekeeper, to
put her in school here.
Foster Mother Demands Child.
Mrs. Seaver arrived in Lawrence on
an early morning train, and, going to
the Gehring home, demanded possess
sion of little Viola. Miss Gehring re-
fused, stating that she had instructions
from Mr.. Hanson, the child's father,
not to give her to anybody.
Mrs. Seaver returned to the hotel
and, getting her adoption papers, went
down to Central school in company
with sgd Herd, city marshal, and took
the child from school. She then went
to the Gehring home and, on present
ing the adoption papers to Miss Gehr-
ing, the latter relinquished all claim
to the little girl. Miss Gehring stated
that Hanson had told her the Seaver
woman had no adoption papers.
Gains Possession of Girl.
Mrs. Seaver was overjoyed to regain
possession of the girl and with tears
of joy in her eyes, sat in the Santa Fe
waiting room, waiting for the arrival
of the train to go back home with the
cir w
weeks to regain.
1--WE have been all broken up since
we lost little VIOLA said Mrs. Seaver,
and her voice trembled. cit is just
little over nine years ago that Mr..
Hanson brought her to us, mere
babe, and asked US to take care of her.
He was a broken man then. his wife
having just been sent to the insane
asylum, leaving him four children,
motherleSs. We took little Viola. She
was just a babe then, and we have
cared for her ever since. She has be-
come as dear to us as our own lives
have been almost frantic.
1--WE did not hear from Hansen for
several years after adopting the child.
1t seems, however, that his fortunes
siderable money and is very anxious
to get his children together again.
This sommer he wrote us asking US
to let Viola visit him on his ranch,
nave good time and let her go down
here, Mr.. Seaver taking her to Pueblo, |
and meetir Hansen there.
when it came time for her to come |
pack, he wrote back putting us off
This kept up for several weeks, we
;aving to wait 10 or II days for each
etter, until we found that he was try
ng to keep the girl. We investigated
he matter and learned that he had
ent her to Lawrence to go to school
lere.
I'VE are not rich and our home may
lot be quite as nice Mr.. Hansen's,
ut we love our girl and were deter
mined to get her back. AS soon as
card she was here, 1 came right down
nd, with the aid of your city hall
olks, got her back.
I'VE will never let her go again. She
5 our girl and we are going to keep
er no matter what steps Hansen may
{ ke.''
Mrs. Seaver. the little girl with her,
Eft for home the happiest woman in
ii the world.