Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-03-16
Grandparents u Little Jsannstts ID.
wards l.itlssts Over Possession Of
Daughter 81 Their children-ceurt
osts Aside Adoption pspsrs Procured
" Cedar pails Rssidsats.

1.-THE plaintiffs. W. H. Robinson
and Jane b. Robinson. are decreed to
be entitled to the possession of the
child. Jannette Edwards. but with the
Jurisdiction and subject matter re-
tanned by the court for such further
orders ~ may be proper respecting
the custody Of the child" Is the SUBJ
stance Of the decree.
However. II II be shown later that
the Robinsons are mot able to care
for the child. then the decree will be
modtned.
The court holds that the articles of
adoption wero not sufficiently pre-
pared,
For the past several months jan
nette haA bsen living with Mr.. and
Mrs. Edwards at Cedar Heights. 1t
was while the child was hero on a
visit that the adoption papers we're
made out. For much of the time in
the girls infancy she lived with her
grandparents tho Robinsona
love the child dearly. II will be
to surrender the little girl to the
Robinaons. On the other hand. 1t
would have been a grievous disap-
poinAmeut to tho Robinsons were they
denied the custody Of tho child. 1t Is
a case that, whichever way the matter
il decided, some one must suffer dis
appointment ana heaxtAche.
judge Ransier had a difficult prob
lem before him.
Ghosts Rivals In Court.
The litigation between Mrs. Edwards
Of Cedar Falls. sister Of Secretary
.srama Jim" Wilson. and Mrs. Robin
ION, an osteopathic phyaician Of Dem
Ser. for possession Of Jeanette Edwards
tvsneir S-year-old granddaughter. took
N Extraordinary turn at the hearing
= pfore Judge RanAier when 1t became
,town that the opposing grandmothers
: spiritualists. each one marshaling
what she believed to be a formidable
line az ghostly evidence In support OF
her claims.
The evidence. aside from testimony.
showing good character Of the litigants
and their ability to provide for the girl,
deals almost exclusively with matters
spiritual, 30 that Judge Ransier Is put
in a position whore he must act as
umpire between two disputing spooks.
Would Set Aside Adoption.
The case 10 in the form of an action
brought by Mrs. Robinson to SGT aside
the formal adoption Of the child by Mr..
and Ms Edwards. az their daughter.
this action. It IL alleged, being taken
nv them while the girl was visiting at
their home. having been sent to them
INV Mrs. Robinson with whom she had
been living.
The principal oral witnesses were the
grandmothers themselves. but lot OF
documentary evidence was submitted.
all purpoftang to have enlana1eo rom
the celestial world.
Mrs. Edwards testified that che was
.hle to ret into communication with
her SON Bert, father Of tho little girl.
more satisfactorily when she had the
child with her, and that he was far
hanpier under such circumstances than
when his child was with her maternal
grandmother.
Mrs. Robinson gave precisely similar
Testimony with respect to the spirit OF
her daughter, and gave this a. the
principal cause Of action. On cross
examination she admitted she was not
fully Informed on all the ms and outs
of spiritualism ana was not entirely
clear ~ to whether she actually talked
to her daughter or whether 1t was
only har 'sub-conscious SELF with
whom she conversed. but she was sure
the influence of her daughter was d.
rectine her in the suit.
What the Control" Says.
Among the exhibits submitted was
communication from the Indian Chief
Onaoua. q spirit control. Tho chiefs
handwriting IL not Of the best and part
81 the letter is unintelligable, but this
much has been deciphered:
'TIow glad we are when all is bright
for all Of you and Aida (Mrs. Robin
sons daughter) Is so pleased that she
can SEQ you together and the arrange
meifts Of the house are 20 much more
to her liking for you and baby. She 10
Ssss becoming herself again in all that
once distinguished her among those
with whom she come in contact. And
her influence Is with all Of them. She
Will be able soon to tell of her ex-
perlence.~
Mrs. Edwards writing to Mrs. Robin
son said:
1--WE have prospered very much by
his going or rather by his coming back.
and coming out 50 clearly In the ma
teriai. He comes out strong and guide.
my pencil He loves her (Jeanette's)
presence here"
Mrs. Robinson also submitted a copy
OF letter she had written to Mrs. Ed
wards. stating that she had told jean
cite that both her father and mother
had more beautiful bodies than in this
world asd that her mothers new baby
was not disease in any way.
Bsrt Bdwafds was killed in rail-
road wreck about four years ago, and
hi widow died two years later.
TRIAL WITHOUT WORDS.
: pt;wejpels In MasAn City Court Pro.
aeedusa Are Mutaa