The Detroit times., 1911-05-11
WED" BY PLACIAG
HANDS ON BIBLE
Illegal Ceremony in Case Of Rustor
Pair Brought Out in Mothers
Fight for Children.

Hearing on the writ OF napeas SoiP
us secured by Mrs. Frances Ruston 10
obtain the custody OF her two cnis
dren, Irene, two years old, and Jes'
sic, aged Ave, from Ira w. Jayne, ana
Miss Anna Atkins, both OF whom are
connected with the Society Tor the
Prevention OF Cruelty TO Children, De
gan in Judge Murfn's court, Wednes-
day.
Much OF the testimony given by MT.
Jayne regarding the history OF the
woman and her children, was repul'
sive, and caused many clashes De
tween Attorney Frank ID. Eaman, VINO
represented the society. and Attorney
Thomas p. Penniman, assistant cor
poration counsel, who appeared for
Mrs. Ruston.
According TO Mr.. jayne, the mother
and her l3-year-old daughter, Peari'
came here from Hamilton, Ont, ano'
in response TO all advertisement In
newspaper the mother obtained
position as housekeeper for George
Ruston, who was formerly captain
in the Salvation Army, and whose wife
had lust left him. In 1905 Ruston and
the woman were married" the cere-
mony consisting in their placing their
hands on a bible Ruston represented
10 her. IL is said. that, inasmuch as ne
had been in the Salvation Army, no
minister was necessary. AS result
of this marriage" the two children
Irene and Jessie. were born
Mr.. Jayne said that on Feb. Fl, 1911
the woman came TO the office OF the
society and said that her husband
drank and abused her. She charged
that. a few years before, while out
riding in the country. Ruston had at
tempted to assault her 13-year-oid
daughter. Pearl. She also told Mr..
Jayne. the latter testified. that her
husband had just been sentenced 10
long term In the House OF Correc-
ton for abusing her. Upon the rec
ommendation of Mr.. jayne, Pearl was
sent TO the home OF her granopar-
ents, Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas wright
Thorntown, Ont, where she Is living
now.
Mrs. Ruston further said, Mr.. jayne
testified, that she had no money with
which 70 provide for the children, ana
no place to go, and asked the society
10 board the children for her. On
March 4. last, her brother, w. II.
Wright. came TO the Office or the so
cietv and said that he had been max
ing investigations and had ascertained
that his sister had not been legally
married to Ruston, and had no right
10 marry him, because she had not
been legally divorced from her nrst
husband. Wellington Beelby, who de
serted her in Canada.
Mr.. Jayne declared that Mrs. Rus
ton turned the children over TO the
society entirely OF her own accord.
One of them, Jessie, has been adopted
by a Detroit family.
Mr.. Jayne testified that Ruston told
him he was willing TO live with his
wife again. be properly married and
proyide a home for the children, but
that Mr.. Penniman, the wife's attor-
ney. had kept him from seeing her.
Testimony was introduced showing
that Mrs. Ruston presented request
from Mayor Thompson, that the so
ciety give her possession OF the chill
dren and that, shortly Afterwards
Ruston appeared at the society's or
fee, bearing a similar request.
Irene. a iaxen-haired little girl
wearing a pair OF heavy gold-rimmed
glasses, was the only one OF the chill
dren present. Mr.. Jayne testified that
when she had been turned over to the
care of the society her eyes were bad
" crossed, but that they were now In
good condition, as a result OF treat
ment
Mr.. Penniman attacked the practice
of the society in giving out children
for adoption, and cited the law re-
ouiring that an order De granted by
probate court before a child can be
adopted. When asked II the society
had followed the law, Mr.. jayne re-
piled that the society's practice was
to turn child over to family on