Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-06-10
wHISNANT VS.. WHISNANT.

day contains the following story of
sensational developments in the case
of Whisnant VS.. Whisnant:
Under the cover of darkness and
with his 20-month- h-old babe In his
arms, Walter R. Whisnant fled the
state Monday night during the hear
ing of a habeas corpus proceeding m
stituted by Mrs. Leila Whisnant, the
pretty mother and wife, for the pos
session of her child. Considerable eX-
citement prevailed at the court house
when it was learned early yesterday
morning that Mr.. Whisnant had kid
mapped his child and every development
through the day was watched with
keenest interest. The case is becoming
one Of the most sensational Of its kind
in the history of the county. When
Solicitor Heriot Clarkson heard of the
departure, he wired the following mes
sage to Gov. w. w. Kitchin:
Il have true bill against w. r. Whis-
nant for abandonment. During hear
ing of habeas corpus for custody OF
child, he has taken child from the jur-
isdiction of the court l ask that you
offer a reward Of not less than 500
for his capture"
The court room was crowded when
the startling act on the part of Mr..
Whisnant was made known. Whispers
of new developments were spoken dur
ing the afternoon session OF court. Po-
lice authorities went to work on the
case. Words of sympathy were eX-
pressed by spectators because Mr..
Whisnant evidently did not know the
serious consequence of his act. In the
opinion of lawyers around the bar,
he had added fuel to his fire of trou-
l. 10 10, tn n charge
tempt of court. The pretty young
mother and wife was anXiously await
ing for a decision i'm the habeas cor
pus proceeding granting her the pos
session of the child or at least the
privilege of seeing ii often and contri-
buting to it's training.
After Solicitor ClarksOn forwarded
the telegram to the governor asking
that a reward be offered for Whis-
nant's capture, he told the court OF the
seriousness of the case and asked that
the Judge make Whisnants bond $1,000
if he is captured. Judge Pell allowed
this entry to be made and added that
II Whisnant was arrested that he be
notified by wire before Whisnant was
released Things bore an air of mys-
terry.
Mr.. T. A. Adams, attorney for the
father, could not explain his clients
conduct or tell of his whereabouts. All
the time the father has shown perfect
devotion to his infant and it must
have been his love for it and fear that
the court would take it away from him.
that he tried to steal beyond the jur-
isdiction of the court. During the
trial the child by law was in the Gus
tody of the court and Judge Pell, be-
ing the court, was the guardian of it.
He is much exercised over it and wants
it returned.
1t was found that Whisnant was
stopping with his brother, Mr.. l.. r.
Whisnant, on Oak street, and that al
ter supper night before last he walk
ed out of the door with his babe in his
arms. AS he departed he laughingly
said, we are going a rabbit hunting
and he did not return. His mother,
Mrs Matte Turner, who lives al Clo-
yer, S. c., has been attending the pro-
ceedings and was at Mr.. l.. r. Whis-
nant's home when the kidnapping took
place.
Late yesterday afternoon Chief
Christenbury received a reply to his
warning and found Mr.. Whisnant and
his child at Glover, S. G. Thinking he
had gone to his home, his mother, Mrs.
Turner, left yesterday about noon and
when she reached there. found the
father and his little son. An arrest
was made by the chief Of police at
Clover, S. C. Mr.. Whisnant refused to
return to this county and Solicitor
Clarkson was notified. He withdrew
the request to the governor for a re-
ward and asked that requiSitiOn papers
be sent at once for his removal.
From the beginning the case has at
tracted considerable attention. Mr..
and Mrs. Whisnant were married in
Clover, S. c., January, 1907. They lived
together peaceably and agreeably un-
til a few months ago when the child
grew from its swaddling clothes. The
breach grew wider and wider until
they separated and when Mrs. Whis-
nant attempted to take the child with
her to her relatives i'm oxford, it was
snatched from her arms at the South
ern railway station just. as her train
rolled into the yard. The mother was
thrown into Mysteries when her hus-
band sped away with the babe in an
automobile. He was brought into the
recorders court for assault to which
he submitted and paid a fine. Mrs.
Whisnant has been waging a stubborn
fight for the possession of her child
while her husband has been equally as
anxious to have its care. A score or
more of affidavts were read in the
habeas corpus proceeding Monday al
ternoon and Judge Pell left the matter
open until yesterday morning to give
the lawyers and their clients time to
deliberate with a view to a comprO-
mise by which both parents can enjoy
the child. Final decision was to have
been rendered yesterday morning but
when the case was called, Mr.. Whis-
nant had stolen beyond the hounds of
the state and beyond the jurisdiction
nf a
Mr.. Whisnant will he brought back
as soor as requisition papers can be
signed Dy the governor for his return
and the case will be settled at this
term of court. The sympathy of those
who have been watching the trend of
the case has been that the mother
should have possession of the infant
because Of it's tender age and because
of her superior ability to administer
to its wants.