The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-03-10
BETTER THAT We
SHOULD NOT MEET"
Father of Florence Speak
man Will Reclaim Little
Daughter.

cit is best for both Mcdonald and
myself. / suppose, that 1 should never
set eyes on him again"
Edward c. Speakman said this today
on the eve of his departure for Balti-
more, where he goes 70 reclaim his lit
tie ejght-year-old daughter. Florence,
whom he has just learned has for more
than two months been beaten, forced TO
beg, and subjected to almost every HUI
initiation, and suffering at the hands
of the persons who adopted her short
time ago.
The fact that Frank Mcdonald. alias
Adams, has been sentenced to two years
in the penitentiary because of the pitt
ful tale Of abuse and neglect told by
Speakman's little girl, is of small COM
fort TO the father, who says that he has
been half-crazed with resentment, and
sorrow since he became acquainted with
his childs tale Of suffering.
Little Florence is now in the hands OF
the Children's Guardian Society Of Bal
timore. The society has so far declined
TO give her TO representatives OF the
American Salvation Army. in whose
care she had been until Mcdonald per
suaded the father TO allow him the
child as a companion Cor his bereaved
wife. whom, he said, had just lost
little girl.
Wants Her Back.
Il am going to have my daughter
back said the gTief-stricken man to-
day, IF 1 have 10 go to law. She is
mine: 1 have never signed any papers
of adoption. and 1 intend to bring her
here where 1 will know she is being
cared for. As soon as 1 am able 1 shall
take all my children from the army
home and put them in a house of my
own
Speakman is employed as a lamp
cleaner at Union Station. He makes
but a modest salary; is crippled in his
right arm. Two of the little girls are
stilI in the Salvation Army Home, and
a boy of fourteen is boarding.
The story told by the little girl was
obtained only after she was promised
that she would never see Mcdonald
again At the time she was hungry, her
, feet were almost bare, her garments
thin and dirty. Mcdonald and his wife
were comfortably attired.
The trio had been like wandering
Gypsies since leaving Washington, saio
the little girl. From city to city she
had piled her vocation Mcdonald Ieay-
ing Ia each instance before the police
became accustomed to her pleading
form. Little Florence is naturally a
rome now believe that she was selected
by Mcdonald because of this fact Her
skin is SalloW, her eyes slightly crossed
and ner face one that would touch the
pity of a stranger.
Her tale of continued want and suffer-
ing reads like some cruel story OF fic-
tion 1t was pitifully eloquent as told
IN her childish prattle to Major SmaIIey
or the American Salvation Army Had
the major listened 10 the advice of Mrs
Smalley. said the anguished father to-
day, ne would never have permitted the
cnllo 10 leave the house, despite the
protestation Of Mcdonald, who seemed
10 be man OF means.
Tells Own Story.
The girl, according to her own story,
was taught to be a professional beg
gar. She was made to cry when ap-
preaching persons for aims. If the days
returns were not pleasing TO Mcdonald.
he beat her, she declared
My own real mama is dead" said the
child My own real papa works in the
Union station at Washington They
Uhe McDonalds) made me call them
mamma and papa. My new papa showed
me how TO sell the chances to a rattle
and sometimes I made lots Of money.
which ] gave to him. When I had made
enough for car fare we would move 10
another city. Last time we went 10
Philadelphia could not make much and
he beat me dreadfuIly at nights
He rode in the steam cars 10 BaIu-
more, but my new mamma and ] came
on the trolley. We were broke when he
got there and / went TO begging right
away. / made some money and ne took
IL. He gave me a bag OF peanuts for
supper. We went TO a Salvation Army
meeting and the man took US 10 bed
somewhere Then We got a room at
90 West Leonard street and have liver
Il would get awfuuy cold on the
streets sometimes but he would make
quick. My toes were sticking through.
and couldn't keep warm in this dress.
Bat he would beat mamma, too.
When she did or said anything he didn't
Ike he hit her awfully hard She was
afraid OF him, too
Covered With Bruises.
The chHd's back, as testified to by
the police matrOn IN Baltimore. was
covered with bruises. substautIating hen
horrible story. Mcdonald and his wife
cringed before the bar during her re-
cital, and at its conclusion the man
arose and assumed the blame for the
entire affair.
The little girls father today seemed
more kindly disposed toward Mrs. Nc
Donald, and seemed glad that she had
been released Between his denuncia-
tons of the man he gave the following
account OF how his daughter had gone
into possession Of the couple.
Il took my children out OF a Wash
ington orphanage and placed them
in charge of Major Smalley of the
American Salvation Army, where they
had good home. Some weeks ago this
man Mcdonald came while I was II
work at the station and. introducing
himself, said that he had seen Florence
and wished 10 provide her good home
He said he was n travelling salesman
and showed me a number Of business
cards 7 wouldn't hear 70 the PROPOSE
ton az first.
He kept after me day after day