Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-01-25

p SouIn SaToilnd Anosi PiOAnAlOhe
- families.
COLUMBIA. S. c.. Jan. 24-when at
torneys for Mrs. B. r. Tillman, Jr., made
application before the supreme court this
morning TO be heard on a petition for
session of her two children, Donaka and
Sarah, now held by United States sena-
tor Ben Tillman. Chief Justice Jones
halted proceedings by citing rule of the
court requiring such cases to be present.
ed in the circuit court On a plea that
the lawyers were not familiar with the
rule. he consented to hear their argu-
ments at noon.
Should the court hold that the case must
be presented to the circuit court 1t will
open another interesting question, since
Judge ]. w. Devore. of the Edgefield
circuit. in which all the parties live, has
signed a strong affidavit in favor of Mrs
B. r. Tillman. Jr., testifying to her high
character and reputation at home.
CHARGES ARE MADE.
The suit of the younger Mrs. Tillman to
recover possession of her two little girls
was the first intimation that the general
public had that there was trouble be-
tween her and her husband. Mrs. Till
man. herself tine granddaughter of
South, Carolina governor, charges that
her husband is addicted to the excessive
use of intoxicants. that he has been gull
~ of cruel and inhuman treatment of her
and that he took the children from her
without her knowledge or consent.
She swears that she was i'll in Wash
ington, when her husband turned the
children over to his parents, Senator and
Mrs. TiIlman: that when she demanded
them. he gave his parents deed to them,
stating that she was not fit to have pos
session of them.
Her petition was accompanied by sworn
statements from some Of the best peo-
pie in the state, attesting to her unim-
peachable character, her goodness as girl
and mother and her devotion and love for
her little girls.
When the matter was taken up again
at noon, Mr.. dePass, for the petitioner,
stated that Mr.. Thurmond, attorney for
Senator and Mrs. Tillman, Joined in the
request that the supreme court hear the
case in it's original jurisdiction, as both
sides desire a speedy and final determin-
alton of the matter.
COURT GRANTS PLEA.
The court withdrew for consultation
and on reconvening. Chief Justice Jones
announced that the court had decide to
hear the retition, with the understand
ing that IL any serious question of facts
was raised, there would be reference
order, in order that witnesses might be
cross-examine,d and that In this event
no decision would be likely beofre the
next term of the supreme court in April,
as the present term would be adjourned
on February 4, and court would not con-
sent to hold an extra session.
On this statement it might be possible
for an earlier decision to be obtained
from a circuit judge.
Mr.. dePass then inquired if the supreme
court, i'm case the application in that
court were withdrawn, would grant an
order consenting for the case to be heard
by some other than the judge of the
Eleventh, or Edgefield, circuit, since
Judge Devore, of that circuit, has made
an affidavit In the case and might not
care to hear the case on that account.
Chief Justice Jones replied that such an
order would be granted.
The attorneys then withdrew to consult
and determine whether the application
would be withdrawn from the supreme
court.
TO HEAR CASE MONDAY.
This afternoon attorneys for Mrs. Till
man announced their decision to present
the case i'm the supreme court and the
court set Monday next as the date for
hearing. At that time Senator and Mrs.
Tllman will make their return to the
order, setting forth their side OF the
case.
The whole matter may then be referred
to a special master to take testimony
IL any question of fact is involved.
STORY OF ROMANCE.
The story OF Mrs Tillman's marriage
with Senator TiIlman's son. their alleged
unhappy relations and their parting
makes up one of the most interesting
romances of the Palmetto State.
She is the granddaughter of F. w.
Pickens, war governor of South Caro-
lima, and before that minister to Russia
under President Buchanan. To Governor
and Mrs. Pickens was born in st. Peters
burg, in the Romanoff palace of the czaf,
a bril- baby for whom the czarina stood
gOdmother. and she was called Douschka,
meaning Darling"
This woman, afterwards beloved by the
people of South Carolina, married DR..
Dugas, of Augusta, Ga, the father of
Mrs. Tillman. The Pickens family had
long been among the most influential in
the state, and was placed among the
''aristocrats." Senator Ben Tillman,
when he got into politics, boasted that
he was a wool hat" Some surprise was
expressed, therefore, when the children
OF two families, cavalier and covenanter,
were married in December. 1903.
1t was declared TO be a love match.
Especially was this romantic when it is
considered that just a fortnight before
Wallace Sheppard. son of Ben Tillman's
most marked opponent for political OF
fee and power, married the only sister
of Mrs. Ben Tillman, Jr.
The sequel is that Mr.. and Mrs. Till
man parted November q. 1908. Just why
is not announced officially, but Mrs. Till
man states that her husband drank to
excess and was very unkind to her. Feb
ruary 26, of last year, after a separation
of three months, Mr.. and Mrs. Ben Till
man, Jr., began living together again, on
some kind OF understanding which was
supposed to be happy ending Of the