The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-20
NotOrman Stith Asks State to
Care for Good Girl Whom
"Stepmother DiSlikeS"
PRETTY CHILD PLEADS
WITH STERN PARENT
DR.. Buchanan Protests Against
Request TO Outcast Tractible In
nocent Lass-Case Continued
Pending Solution of Dilemma.

Because he is a motorman and is
away from home twelve hours each
day and his second wife will not
properly care for his fourteen-year-
old daughter so he says, Frederick Z.
Stith appeared in police court We'd
nesday and asked Justice Crutchteld
to send the girl to some charitable
institution.
Several years ago Stith gave his
daughter To Dr. Maybee. Of the Chill
dren s Home Society, deciding away
all rights to her. Wnen she became
older she was allowed to return to
her home, and now her father. In
order to bring the case into court.
charges her with being incorrigible.
Under oath and answering questions
from Justice Crutchfield, ne said she
was not a bad girl, but mis- second
wife did not want her at his home,
ana that inasmuch as he had to work
every day he could not look out for
her. Therefore. he wanted the State
TO take from him forever his off,
spring.
Resentment Heard.
Murmurs of resentment were heard
torman again and AGAIN asked the
court to SEND his child away.
And she. a pretty and innocent-ap-
pearlng girl Of fourteen, atfecr1onate-
ly placed her hand upon her fathers
arm and said: Papa, l am a good
girl. l heard some OF the girls down
at DIR. Buchanans say something
about flirting with boys. l never done
anything like that because IL Is wrong.
/ wish / did have q good home
Tho sweet innocence of the child
was strangely out OF place in the
police court.
Il told her father" said DR. Buch-
.anan, that we did not take good
girls, But In this case / do not know
what to do. Since her father appears
so absolutely indifferent about his
child. we w@n have to take her anu
find her a home. She has been watch
ed carefully and a more innocent little
girl ! have never seen. 1t is shame
she has no parents to rear her she
should have the influence of q home.
We will do the pest We can. Judge.
but in all fairness / submit that the
father should be made to contribute
to his daughters support II he
wishes to drive her from his home
and force her upon the State, he
should assist the State in caring for
her.
The point was we'll taken and JUS
tice Crutchfield did not tail to appre-
ciate II. He intimated that he would
issue some order compelling the father
to support his child.
Lizzie Hawthorne Stith is the name
OF the pretty little brunette who ap-
peared in police court. She came in
with DR.. Buchanan and Immediately
asked for her father. Dressed In a
plain bur neatly fitting dress of pink.
the little girl presented an appear
ance OF freshness that was at once
appealing.
In her own simple way she talked
to Justice Crutchfield. She told him
of having been a real good girl"
while with Or. Maybee and of her
desire to see her father and her little
brother. She said she would work If
anyone would tell her what to do.
Left With stepmother.
"She Just won't mind my wife and
1 amt at home" said the father. Il
give her TO DIR. Maybee and now l want
her cared for My wife won't take
care OF her. I work every day"
Justice Crutchfield interrupted by
saying that he, along with many other
fathers. worked every day and iert
their daughters at home. He was not
in sympathy with the appeal made
by the motornan, man of forty-five
years old.
Homes for girls in Virginia are sup
ported by the State and by charitable
organizations. These homes are for
maynard girls. not for the care of
children whom fathers do not wish
to be bothered with after they have
married the second time. For this
reason 1t was a question what to do
with the girl.
Justice Crutchfeld finally decided to
continue the case, allow little Lizzie
Hawthorne Stith to remain in the
care OF DR.. Buchanan for the time
being and to have consultation with
DR. Maybee and DIR. Buchanan later
in the week.