Los Angeles herald., 1910-08-26
DENIES HER CHILDREN
TO MAKE SPOUSE RICH
Wife Plays HouSekeeper So Hus-
bands Mother Will Not
Withhold Legacy

KANSAS CITY, Aug. ga story of
how for six years she had posed as a
housekeeper in the home of her own
husband, and had given away her two
young babies in order that her hus-
band might receive an $4,000 bequest at
the time of his mothers death, was told
TO w. w. Lacy, chief probation officer
of the Wyandotte county juvenile court
by a woman who gave the name of
Mrs. Emma Smeltzer, 2S years old.
The woman, her heart burning over
the death of her youngest child, from
whom she had been separated since its
birth, disclosed what she said would
result In her husband losing his small
fortune, and the possible breaking up
of their home. She refused to tell her
husbands name or the name of her
mother in-law, but said they lived in
Randolph, MO.
According to Mrs. Smeltzer's story,
her husband, who is the only son of a
well-to-do widow, who to receive $4,000
and farm at his mothers death, pro-
vided he did not marry until after that
time Six years ago, however, she says
he broke his promise and was married
to her.
SECRECY TO GAIN REQUEST
In order to obtain the bequest and to
retain his mothers good will he took
the wife to his mothers home as a
housekeeper. Two years ago she came
to Kansas City, where she gave birth
to a baby girl, whom she named Velda.
The mother could not take the baby
back to Randolph, so she placed 1t In
charge of Mrs. Isabelle Bridewell OF
1918 North Fifth street, who then was
caring for the delinquent babies from
the Wyandotte county juvenile court.
Mrs. Smeltzer came to Kansas CITY
again six months ago, where sne gave
birth to a son, Beaumont, whom she
also turned over to Mrs. Bridewell. II
was the death of this son which caused
her to come to Kansas City, Kas.
1t was brought to light that George
A. Long OF Thirty-first street and
washington boulevard, Kansas City,
Kas., had adopted the little girl from
Mrs. Bridewell several months ago. he
is said to have paid Mrs. Bridewen 30
as an adoption fee, although the adop-
ton was not made through the regular
court procedure, Mrs. BrideWell merely
writing out consent.
beaumont, Mrs. Smeltzers Youngest
child, died three months ago, but she
saws she had no word OF it until Few
days ago, when the undertaken VINO
buried the child happened to find her
address. Mr.. Lacy sent the woman
with the child to the Life Line mission,
III Usage avenue, which is In charge OF
S. ". Cole. Mrs. Smeltzer left the baby
there and told Mrs. Cole that she would
be back after it. She hurried away
telling Mrs. Cole that 'she had to so
down in the country and had to catch
a train"
STORY PERPLExES OFFICERS
Mr.. Lacy and the officers Of the juve-
nile court are puzzled over the wom-
ans story. They think 1t strange that
she and her husband could have kept
the fact of their marriage a secret
for so long a time, and are also at
a loss to know why she should refuse
at this stage to tell the names of her
husband and his mother. She seems
greatly devoted to the child now living,
and expressed great grief over the
death of the younger babe. The officials
wonder how she could content herself
with being away from her children
when she apparently is so devoted to
them. Mr.. Lacy will make thorough
investigation of the case, and If he
finds her story true probably will spoil
all chances of her husband receiving
a beouest at the cost of her reputation
and the denial of her mother love to
the babe.