New-York tribune., 1910-06-04
MEETS CHILD IN COURT
But After Two Years. the Mother
Finds Herself Forgotten.
HAsEAs CORPUS CASE ON
Demanding Girls Return, Mrs.
Mcdonald Finds Charity
Folk Oppose Her.

preme Court for the custody of her seven
year-old daughter, Agnes Wilson Mcdonald.
For two years the child has lived with the
family of Lyman b. Hedsman. pros
peFeus farmer, al Painted Post, Steuben
County NJ 7. The mother attributed the
farmers refusal to part with Agnes to re-
ligious differences. and succeeded in enlist
ing the aid of Archbishop Farley.
Two years ago the little girl went TO a
picnic of the Church of Sea and Land,
Protestant church, and from that day until
yesterday. said Mrs Mcdonald, she did
not see her again Agnes is a daughter
by Mrs. MeDonalds first husband whose
name was Wilson. Mcdonald is long
shoremsn.
There was pathetic scene in court when
mother and child met. The little girl was
produced in compliance with a writ of
habeas corpus sworn ont by Mrs. Nc
Donald The bloom of country life was oR
the child's pretty face, and she was neatly
dressed. and looked happy
Mrs. Mcdonald. accompanied by a friend,
approached her, but Agnes gave no sign of
ilial recognition.
(which of US is your mamms?' asked
why, my mamma hasn't come yet" re-
piled the child. with q pout.
Don't you know me, DEAR" persisted the
mother i am vour mamma"
But little Agnes still doubled, and the
heart broken mother turned away. weeping.
Nor did Agnes recognize her little brother,
Charlie.
The story OF the anguish she suffered be-
cause her child was kept from her. when
Mrs. Mcdonald told, and the alleged injus-
tice in the enforced separation. was met
by witnesses for Hodgman with statements
about the moral and physical unheaithful-
ness in the home life of Agnes at the time
she was placed in the care of Hodgman.
According to their testimony, the mother
was addicted to the excessive use of liquor
and was an unfit person TO care for the
child 1t was to rescue Agnes from these
communicating surroundings they said, that
they placed her with the Hodgman family,
where she might enjoy the fresh country
air and healthful environments.
Mrs. Mcdonald told a simple story. She
said
When / was sick two years ago I let
Agnes go on an outing with the Sea and
Land Church people. That was the last
saw of her until to-day. ! kept writing 10
the church people for my child, but was put
off with one excuse and another, and final
the home of Mr.. Hodgman. Then l received
a paper directing me TO go to Steuben
County to show why Mr.. Hodgman should
not be appointed guardian Of Agnes An
affidavit came with the paper, and in it ]
was accused of being drunkard and of be
ing vicious and unfit TO care for my aaugh-
ter | did not have enough money to go
to Steuben County, and the next thing /
heard was that the court had appointed Mr..
Hedgman Agnes's guardian
I'VE are Catholics, and Mr.. and Mrs
Hodgman are Protestants. and I do not
want my little girl brought up in the Prot
estant faith so | consulted Father Evers
and begged him to aid me in getting my
little girl back. He placed the case before
the Archbishop. VINO directed Father Eyers
to DO all he could for me. My husband
earns enough to support us comfortably,
and I can give her a good home.
The Rev. Luke J. Evers, of st. Andrews
Church and head of the Catholic Home
Bureau to whom Mrs. Mcdonald referred.
was in court. Former Corporation Counsel
John J. DeIany appeared es counsel for
Mrs. Mcdonald.
Justice Wheeler of Steuben County, ap-I
pointed Hodgman guardian of the McDen-
aid girl about two weeks ago. Delany
argued that Justice Wheeler had no jlIrls-
diction G. J. Sullivan was present to repre-
sent the Schenectady branch of the Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty TO Children
The first witness called for HOdgman was
Senator Frank G. Platt. of Steuben County
He testified to the good character of Hodg-
man and Mrs HpdgIpan. saying that their
home was pleasant and healthful. lie said
that Hedgman was a man of financial re-
sponsbiiity.
Esther Seward Hall, sister Of Mrs. HOdg-
man. who is a charity worker, said that
Agnes had been brought to Painted Post as
one of a number of fresh air children.
The child became sick and was kept at the
Hodgnan home for two months at the
mothers request. she said. Then, the Wit
ness continued. she took the girl home, and
Mrs. Mcdonald requested that she be taken
hack 70 Painted Post as she expected 20 be
dispossessed from her home.
Miss Hall went ca TO say that at the time
of the visit Agnes showed deep displeas-
IRE at her little brothers dirty and un-
kempt appearance.
she had developed sn aesthetic taste, |
INTERCEPTED Delany
Miss Mary Murray, another charity work
or. described the pitiful poverty of the Me
DonaIds After they were dispesssssed, she !
said the mother walked the street fer
week with baby in arms. sleeping mostly
IN haIlwavg She declared also that Mrs. !
Mcdonald had told her she had been In the
insane asvlur1, on ward's 5 Island
The hearing was adjourned until next
Thursday. Hedgmen IN the mean time rs-
tanning custody of Agnes