The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-06

On December 21 last the reading world war astonished by the publication in one of the big Metropolitan newspapers of a telegram from Madam Louis Sourdillon of Paris asking that aid he extended to her by the American Press in her research for her three little children, who had been ruthlessly and cruelty stolen from her, and of whom she had practically no trace whatever.
 The cablegram that the New York World published was to this effect:
 "After 12 years of futile search through out France, England and your Govern ment, America, for my three children, who were cruelty stolen from me here in Paris. I appeal to the World to find them for me"
 The story, while holding much interest for sensation loving public. was in a way indirect, and wholly impersonal, but within the past few months it has taken on keener interest, especially to South ern people, since an effort has been re- Jvived through the Press of the South by Mrs. Mary Wemple Hagerdorn of Dan vile, Va, who lived in Paris, as strange Fate would direct, In the house of the heartbroken woman, Madame Sourdillon. whose children were the victims of such untold and unwarranted cowardice.
 Mrs. Hagerdorn became deeply con cerned with the story of the Parlslan woman, and it has been her pleasure to place the facts at the disposal of the newspapers, who, if they could in any way assist the poor, hearbroken mother by locating some clue, some trace of the three little children would confer upon her the greatest blessing this side of Heaven itself.
 With the pathetic cablegram produced above, Madame Sourdillon began the re- cital of her remarkable story of the search for her three children, a search which has extended over three conti- nents and which has ben pursued for over a decade with @tireless zeal and untiring hope
 Although heretofore" is the way Madame Sourdillon told the World, T have shrunk from publicity in regard 10 my great sorrow, I now place my un- happy history before the multitude, hop ing they may aid me to find my two daughters and my only son, from whom have been long separated. I appeal through the newspapers to the hearts of the American mothers to aid me in my trouble which I have now endured for 12 years My eldest daughter, who should now be in the prime of her girlhood, may see this appeal, and it may stir her mem ory to recollections of her early childhood days, and the mother of whom a cruel husband so 'wantonly robbed her.
 The attempt to find her children used up all Madame Souedillon's own fortune and that of her mother, Madame de la Sale.
 A refined, cultured woman. used to lux ury and all the comforts money brings, she has been forced to resort to the ex- pedient of keeping pension, not only to give her the means to continue hopeless task, but also to give her bread and but ter and roof over her head
 Madame Sourdillon is the daughter of Charles de la Sale, surgeon in the French Navy and Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
 For his distinguished and gallant ser vices the City of Erect presented him with a sword.
 Madame sourdillon married Caesar Louis Sourdillon 19 years ago, She was then a Parisian journalist Love lasted but a short time; soon her husband neglected her and evenl failed to provide the necessaries of life for his family.
 Madame Sourdillon obtained divorce on the ground of cruelty and abandon ment in 1899. and this decree provided that the husband be permitted to see his chil- dreil few hours of one day out of each week at the home of third party, to be lef. there at 10 o'clock in the morning and called for in the late afternoon. On April 13 of the same year, Madame Sourdillon's maid took the children