Los Angeles herald., 1909-11-17
FORMER PASTOR
SECURES CHILD
FATHER ALLEGED TO HAVE
KIDNAPPED DAUGHTER
Police Appealed to by Mother and
Chief Refuses to Interfere, but on
Advice Of Attorneys Hus-
band Gives Up Baby

After watching the home of his wife
from whom he has been separated foi
several months. Rev. w. I. Nichols
formerly a religious exhorter, but at
present employed as field manager for
a baking powder concern, yesterday
afternoon took advantage of his wife's
absence and, it is said, he kidnapped
his 2-year-old daughter.
The marital affairs of Mr.. and Mrs.
Nichols have been aired in court since
last November, when Mrs. Nichols
brought a divorce suit against her hus-
band for alleged cruel and abusive
treatment.
Since the separation Mrs. Nichols has
BEEN living at COS Sherman avenue and
has had the custody of the 2-year-old
daughter
1t is said that Rev. Mr.. Nichols has
made several attempts to get the Gus
tody of the child. and yesterday after
noon when Mrs. Nichols went out 10
work-she has been supporting herself
and child since the separation-Nicho
approached the yard in which the little
girl was toddling and, seizing her in
his arms, ran awav with her.
Pedestrians were attracted by the
feeble cries of the little girl, but Mich
OILS fought off all attempts to stop him.
Two patrolmen were appealed to by
persons, who explained that Nichols
was kidnapping the little girl, but in
polite and choice language the min
lister of the gospel stated the little girl
was his own child, and the patrolmen
allowed him to go his way.
When Mrs. Nichols returned to the
home of Mrs. Emma (P. Means, where
she had been staying, and did not find
her child, she became hysterical es-
pecially when she realized it must
have been her husband who had Sc
cured the child.
Appeals to Attorneys
She hastily appealed to Attorneys
Thompson and Spencer and shortly
before the adjournment of court Judge
Wilbur issued an order granting Mrs.
Nichols the right of custody of the
child until the matter could be ad-
judicated in court Monday morning.
Nichols was found at his room, Sos
East Fifth street, late last night by
detectives who had been detailed to
find him and the child.
He refused to tell anything of the
child's whereabouts, and after two
hours of questioning the detectives
brought him to police headquarters for
a conference with Chief of Police Dish
man.
When the case was explained Chief
Dishman said he had no right to inter-
fere in the matter. as it was evident
the child belonged to Nichols and ii
was not a kidnapping affair. He ad-
vised Nichols, however, to give up the
child until the affair could be settled
in court, but Nichols steadily refused
Finally, when threatened by attor-
news Of Mrs. Nichols with arrest for
contempt of court, Nichols agreed he
would make known the hiding place OF
the child If so advised by his attorney,
The attorney was consulted and at
his suggestion Nichols stated the baby
was being cared for by friends at 1918
East Fifty-seventh street.
An automobile was obtained and
Nichols guided the party to the hid
ing place. The baby was found and
returned to it's mother early this morn
ing.
Nichols stated that he would wage a
bitter legal fight to get control of the
child that he hoped his wife would
be successful in divorce proceedings,
but he wanted the child.
A legal battle is expected when the
case is heard Monday morning