The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-18
MOTHER CRIES PITIFULLY
FOR HER LITTLE CHILDREN
Mrs. Splitter Heart-Broken BY
Separation; Women Inter-
ested In Case.

oh. Lillian dear. come back to
me.
LYING I'm bed in the Salvation
Army Rescue home. Fort and TWEEN
ty-seCond.sts.. and suffering about all
the pangs which mind and heart can
bear, Mrs. Myrtle Splitter gives fire.
Guent utterances 60 this cry. Lillian
il her l5-months-old baby, taken away
from her in Judge Donoyan's court,
Wednesday. when she was adjudged
mentally incompetent by the court.
and divorced by her husband. She
was also separated from her other
child, little girl six years old.
The heart-broken mother sobs pit
fully as she lies in bed, physically
broken down as a result OF the trying
ordeal through which she has gone.
Her only thought is OF her childen.
particularly the baby.
Il feel that have been unfairly
dealt with" she said, Friday morning.
but | believe that God will restore
my babies 20 me. | Will trust In Him.
Mrs. Splitter is now almost. totally
deaf and one has 10 talk loudly for
her TO hear. The affliction was
brought on by overwork and expos.
ure TO cold. Since she was married,
about seven years ago. she has work
ed hard. washing TO support her chill
dren
Her husband is said 10 have left
her four months after their marriage.
in Dayton. O.. and to have remained
away for Ave years Returning. he
stayed only short time and is said
to have not seen the second child uu-
I'll il was brought into court, In De-
troit The last baby Lillian, was
born in the poor.house in Dayton, or
according TO the assistant matron in
The Salvation Army home, Mrs. Spit
Ter was obliged to go 10 the Dayton
institution after her husband left
home the second time, the assistant
matron saws
Mrs. Splitter and the two children
came here on Oct l6. from Dayton,
end. being without home. were Civ
en- shelter in the rescue home, where
she now is.
Splitter is said 10 have tried TO get
divorce in Dayton. but. 10 have fail
ed on account OF the court being in
sympathy with the wife.
Il think Mrs. Splitter has been I'M
fairly dealt with" said the assistant
matron. Of the rescue home Friday
10 The Times ~ seems 70 me that
competent physician should be the
Judge OF woman's mental condition.
rot the Judge OF court. Mrs. Spit
Ter. 10 my mind is In possession OF
Ler senses. Her hearing being bad
no doubt makes her appear duh. She
Is certainly 10 be pitied and | nope
She will get her children back
Judge Donovan feels that he was
thoroughly justified in granting a
divorce TO Splitter and giving him the
custody of the children.
Il was convinced said the Judge
10 The Times. that Mrs Splitter is
not capable. mentally, to care for the
children. s. The poor wOmaA is in q
bad way; her mind is-not strong and
she is suffering physically
In regard 10 her mental condition
took particular pains TO investigate
Il got close UP 70 her az she sat In the
witness chair and | said 10 her:
Madam. do YOU want 70 live with this
man again? She answered in low
gruff tone, 'Nuh To other questions
she replied in a similar manner. In
addition 10 her mental and physical
condition. | found that the couple had
been quarreling and nagging each
lother for seven years.
81 disliked TO take the children
away from the mother but felt tha
Is was the only proper thing 10 do
They are now in the home of rela
/ tive of the father. in a place where
/ there are no other children. and vii
be warm, comfortable, we'll fed anC
we'll clothed. Mr.. Jayne. of the So
ciety for the revention OF Cruelty e
Children. who represented Mrs. Spit
Ter. was agreeable TO the disposition
OF the case and signed the papers
But the case is not so terrible al
might be supposed the decree is So
worded that the mother can see tn
children whenever she cares TO anC
she can come into court and have
steps taken to recover them II thel
are not we'll cared fer left the de
I cree open for that purpose.
/ Had | given the woman the Gus
tody of the children, probably
would have been reversed by the SIT
preme court In similar case, In
1905. gave the mother the child, anC
the supreme court held that / wa!