The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-04-05
MOTHER WINS IN
FIGHT FOR CHILD
Court Orders Sidney Elliott, Di
vorced and Remarked, To
Hand Over Son.

Ailoi u COuIt uedIiuB iuseihb aii
Saturday morning Judge Murphy de-
cided that Mrs. Lillian La Bonte-Ei-
lott 10 the proper person TO have the
care and custody OF her six-year-old
son. and ordered the father. Sidney
Elliott TO turn the boy over TO her.
The boy had not seen his mother for
two years, and this arrangement was
not agreeable TO him. He howled
Justify when he learned that he was
to be taken from his father and step
mother. and II was necessary to order
q carriage TO take him TO the mothers
home.
Mrs. Elliott's story on the witness
stand and her appearance won for her
the sympathy OF spectators who
crowded the court room. and there
was q mild demonstration OF approval
when the judgment was announced. d.
The Elliotts were married In 1902.
and separated In March, 1906. Mrs.
Elliott claiming she was driven away
by her husbands cruelty. He flied a
bill for divorce. but after partial
hearing the case was abandoned and
the couple lived together for a short
time. Mrs. Elliott was again com
PEELED to leave him. she says. and her
husband. taking the boy, went to
South Dakota, where he obtained a
decree. giving him the custody OF the
child. Then he returned to Detroit
with another woman. To whom he was
married here on Dec. "a. 1908.
The loss Of her child SO affected
Mrs. Elliott that she suffered from
nervous breakdown. and for six
months was a patient In Eloise.
The wife's attorneys said they were
prepared To show that the Dakota di-
vorce was obtained illegally. but that
phase OF the question was not gone
into.
The husbands attorneys argued that
the child was given TO the father by
the western court. and that he was
entitled 10 have charge of the boy.
DO you contend that the Dakota
divorce is worth anything In Michi-
GAM" asked the Judge.
Certainly we do" answered Col. <.
ii. Sellers.
We'll. you will have considerable
trouble in convincing me OF that" the
judge replied.
After some argument the matter
was reduced TO the simple question OF
the mothers fitness To have her child.
Judge Murphy pointing out that II Is
always presumed that the mother Is
the rightful custodian OF her child.
The mother, who now lives with her
parents at No. 100 Reader-st.. testified
as to her financial ability to care for
the boy. and neighbors testified as TO
her fitness. The ill-health OF Mrs.
Elliott was advanced as a reason by
fhA htt0 nd aff
should not have the child, but Mrs.
Elliott said her ill.health was caused
by her worry and heart-ache TO see
her SOM II was also charged that
Mrs. Elliott's father, with whom she
! lives. gets drunk frequently. Neigh
bors. who had lived beside him for
20 years said they had never seen him
stagger, but admitted that he drank
beer occasionally. All testified that he
was Industrious and well-behaved. and
that the boy would always have
good home.
In giving his decision, Judge Murphy
compared the love OF the mother with
that OF the step-mother. He also re-
ferred 10 the fact that the father had
certain rights, and he directed that
the father have the privilege OF Wis
iting with the boy at reasonable times
WOULD MAKE SPLENDID AUDITOR.
VIM. ]. Nagel, the present deputy
controller, brings to the support OF his
candidacy hrst-class record for
efficiency and reliability. He is the
type OF public official who is an ad-
ministrator and not a politician and
is more devoted to his duties than to
the old bolsterous way of campaign
ing. During this campaign he is no;
taking any time from his regular
duties in the controllers office, but Is
leaving Il TO those who know OF his
candidacy and his record TO express
their choice at the polls. He would
make a splendid auditor-Editorial De-
troit News, Feb. 27. 1909
Has Made n Splendid Auditor.
The services OF County Auditor Mil
ton Oakman during the past three
years have demonstrated his ability,
energy and sincerity in his EFFORTS and
ACCOMPLISHMENTS for the citizens and
taxpayers OF Wavne county.
Mr. oakman during his ,i first term has
county By introducing modern bus
mess methods into county affairs.
Every thinking voter must realize
that Auditor Oakman's experience and
success In solving the problems OF the
county government make him the only
logical candidate for this office. and
more especially do we urge upon the
voters the advisabilty OF encouraging
faithfulness in public service by vot-
ing for a second term for this efficient
and experienced public official
Missing Girl Is Found.
Pearl Belknap, lG-year-oid girl who
disappeared from her home in New
Baltimore. Mich. "a week. ago was
found by Truant Oficer Jordan, SAT.
urdsy. in a rooming house at No. "a
Bagley-ave. The police are investIgat.
Ing the case.
Temperance Editor Challenges Rose.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. April 81. l..
Pickett, publisher OF Temperance pa.
per here has issued an open letter
challenging Mayor Rose, OF Milwau-
kee, to join him in a tour of Ken.
lucky for joint debates on prohibition
He also states the prohibitionists arc
preparing to launch fight In Ken.
lucky for statewide prohibition.
Explosion Damages House.
A gasoline explosion In the resi-.
dence Of Mrs Rose Miller, a widow, at
No. 1865 Mack-ave.. did considerable
damage to her home early Saturday
morning.
Good Health