The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-09-24
And the Adopted Parents of
the Baby Girl Vigorously 0p-
pose the Litigation of the
ChiId'S Parent.
NO DISPOSITION OF
THE CHILD Is MADE
Court Will Wait Until Next
Week When Attorneys for
the Litigants Will Make
Their Arguments.

Fighting for the possession Of an IL
legitimate child for whom the young
mother apparently once did not care.
the circuit court today was the scene
Of one of the most pitiful cases in it's
history. A strenuous contest was
made by the child's parents by adop-
ton for her custody. Next week at
torneys for both sides will make their
arguments and no disposition will be
made of the child by Judge Fox of the
circuit court until then.
Edith Turner, a comely grass Wild
ow of 21. was the petitioner to set
old daughter Mildred, by Frank Bran
SON and wife. The child has been in
the care of the Bransons for about
two years but only within the last
three weeks has it been their heir-at-
law by adoption proceedings. So at
tached to the child did the Bransons
become that their emotions on the
possibility of becoming separated
from the baby girl were similar to
those stirred within the breast of the
child's mother.
Arrayed against the young mother
were the Bransons, her divorced hus-
band, Thomas Adams. and Probation
Omcer Elizabeth Gambler. She was
supported in her purpose to again gain
custody Of the child by her mother,
Mrs. Turner Of 132 North sixth street.
y
resented the interests Of the Bran
sons. while p. J. Freeman looked after
the interests of the Turner woman.
Were Given 8aby's Custody.
The Bransons were given posses
sion of the child in 1908 by the child's
mother, as 1t was generally under
stood between the two that the Turn
er woman could not take care of the
child. as she worked all day and the
child's grandmother was unable to
care for 1t as she was ILL Early this
month adoption proceedings were in
stituted in the circuit court and the
child was given to the Bransons by
Judge Fox, who at that time under
stood the baby's mother had abandon
ed her. The mother claimed that she
had not been notified of the action
and contested its legality for this
reason.
On the stand today Edith Turner
testified that the child was born out
Of wedlock. All efforts to obtain the
name of the child's father were futile
as the court ruled the evidence irrel.
evant to the issue. She was married
to Thomas Adams in 1907 and after q
years marital relations they separ.
ated. She lived then with her par.
ents. The child was sent to the
Bransons. Last May she obtained a
divorce from her husband on the
ground of failure to provide, and her
maiden name restored. She is EN-.
ployed in a laundry and has worked
in local restaurants. never getting
more than IS a week
| She admitted seeing the child but
infrequently and has not contributed
to its support or even given her pres.
ents since she has been with the Bran.
sons. Her divorced husband was
called to the stand and he said his
wife was severe in her punishment to
the child while the baby was with
them. often whipping her. calling her
brat and declaring that she wished
her dead. He said she would attend
dances and the skating rink and
leave him to care for the baby.
| When Mrs. Branson was called to
the stand. she put the child which ID
very pretty and neatly dressed. with q
red ribbon In her hair on a chair
She said the child's mother two years
ago had then consented to the child
being adopted by them. but although
they were unwilling to do 20 then, she
permitted the baby to stay with them
Mrs. Branson declared the youna
/ mother had only visited the child four
times in two years and had not ad
| dressed the child on these visits @
that she would know she was hel
mother. Branson IL q raiIroader and
he too, testified much the same a
his wife.
/ Judge Fox postponed arguments II
the case until next week He viii
decide whom Of the htigants shall re
tain possession Of the child after hear
ing the attorneys argue and cite an
thorities In such cases.