The Washington herald., 1909-06-27


raising OF the veil Of mystery which ha.
surrounded the birth and life Of Mrs
Edith May Thompson woodm, ther,
comes 10 light an unusual story Of q
tragic childhood
Mrs. Woodill was the daughter OF Mat
thew and zettalla Witz. Her name dur.
ing the first three years Of her life was
anna Pearl Witz. In October l6. 1Ss0
after a long legal contest. in which sew
eral well known Minneapolis families
were involved, she was adopted by Mr.
and Mrs. Charles II. Thompson. Thai
the secret Of her parentage might be kept
from her. the girl was taken from the
city and her name changed to Edith May
Thompson.
Her Father Was Murdered.
The girls father. Matthew witz, was
murdered at Couz Creek, in 1857. when
Pearl was less than year old. The mur-
der grew out Of a quarrel in a mining
camp. Shortly after the murder Mrs.
witz moved to Minneapolis. She was
soon married 10 Albert Kight, Of Elk
River. MINI.
Unable properly TO care for the child,
Mrs. kight gave her TO her uncle. DR..
William z. ROUp of Kansas City, Kans..
and he in turn gave her 10 niece, Mrs.
Green. Of Minneapolis, who brought her
here.
Mrs. Green lived on the East Side near
Mr.. and Mrs. Delos Matteson- Mrs. Mat
teson was struck with the child's beauty
at first sight and formed a warm attach
ment for her Accordingly. Pearl. then
three years old. often stayed for days at
the Matteson home. One day the Matte
sons refused to give up the child.
Famed for Beauty.
This refusal brought Pearl into court,
and from there the fame OF her beauty
was spread over the city until prominent
families were using every effort TO get
possession Of her.
Henry ~ Farnham. Frank Davis. and
former Judge William A. Kerr were at
torneys in the legal battle IN which Pearl
was the center.
The Green's learning that the Matte
sons were preparing 10 adopt Pearl
sought by a writ Of habeas corpus TO gain
possession Of her. The case was called
before Judge Hooker, was continued, and
set aside and retired at different times
for a month.
The childs beauty attracted hundreds
TO the court room, among them Mrs
Charles s. Thompson. a prominent worker
in the Associated Charities.
The ThOmpsOns Enter.
i must have that child. It is a shame
for her 70 be buneted about from place
70 place" said Mrs. Thompson when she
caught sight Of Pearl in the arms Of
Mrs. Matteson- From that moment Mrs.
Thompson was added 10 the list OF those
captivated by the beautiful child She
Immediately set out 20 gam possession
OF her In her fight for the child. Mrs
Thompson had qualifications that enabled
her 20 distance the others in the courts.
She was well known because OF her char
table work, and besides she had means.
Mr. Thompson was at that time man
ager Of the Thompson Harness Company.
IN Minneapolis The Thompsons also had
many friends. and all these assets were
used IN the battle.
To make her position more firm. Mrs.
Thompson went 20 Elk River while the
habeas corpus proceedings between the
Greens and the Mattesons were pending
She was there made legal guardian by
the Probate Court Of Sherburne County
This was done with the full consent Of
Pearls mother.
Consequently, when the case was again
called there was q new party TO the
fight. Judge Hicks decided that DR.. ROup
and his nieces had not shown a proper
regard for the girl, and said Pearl should
stay with the MattesOns.
ThOmPsOns Put in Claim.
Then Mrs. Thompson put IN her claim.
While Mrs. Natteson was carrying Pearl
away triumphantly in her arms. attor-
neys for Mrs. Thompson were preparing
a new writ OF habeas corpus, claiming
Pearl through the guardianship papers
issued in Elk River. Mrs Matteson was
watched as she left the courthouse. and
when Judge Hicks issued the writ he was
followed TO the Office OF William ]. Kerr.
Fearing Mrs. Matteson would leave the
city with the prize so deftly won, Sheriff
James H Eye guarded the railway sta
tons with deputies, while he served the
writ IN the Office Of Mr.. Kerr
The Office was Immediately the scene OF
confusion. Mrs. Matteson with Pearl in
her arms, darted to the door and out into
the hall When Sheriff Eye followed,
friends interfered 10 stop him. Spectators
who ran from the other Offices took a
hand. some TO help the sherin and others
20 help Mrs Matteson. whom thev DEEM
ed a woman IN distress The sherim
finally won, and the opposing parties re-
turned TO the courthouse
Sheriff Guarded Baby.
The case was continued until the next
day but TO make sure that Pearl would
be there for the final struggle Judge
Hicks ordered the sheriff to take her to
his home.
At the trial were Mrs. John S. Pills
bury. wife OF former Gov. Pillsbury; Mrs.
r. A. MendenhaH. Dr. Martha Ripley.
now superintendent OF Maternity Hospi-
tai, and many others were there to back
Mrs Thompson. The guardianship pa
pers were honored, and the case settled
for all time