The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-11-30
b|71th1 <<'Ql!!!NG
FOR THEIR koff,aNCE
Tillman Case Blending of
Southern Chivalry and
Class Bitterness. -

Columbia. S. c., Nov. 3O.-Habeas
corpus proceedings, brought by B. II.
Ttiiman. Jr., son Of United States SEN
ator Tillman. against his former wife,
to obtain possession Of their two
In the state supreme court here today.
Original proceedings were filed in
January, 1910. Young Tiliman had
executed deed without the consent
OF his wife. transferring the custody of
the children during their minority to
his parents. At this time the supreme
court gave the custody of the children
to their mother.
divorce, the decree being started in n
Cincinnati. She resumed her maiden
name. and Is responding to the petit
tion of the father in the name Of Mrs,
Lucy Dugas.
Pleads for Grandchildren.
The case is remarkable because of
the fact that the aged senator. in the
bill Of particulars filed with the court.
has admitted that his son has been a
drunkard, though he says he is now
reformed.
The suit is for the custody of the
ILL.,.
dren Of his son and his daughter-in-
law, formerly Lucy Perkins Dugas, a
granddaughter of former Gov. Pickens
Of this state. Al present the little
ones are in the custody Of their moth
er. who Is said to be contemplating
their removal from the state.
This is the second attempt of the
aged statesman to secure the two chill
dren. On the first occasion the court
hot h4
prepared to rear the children because
Of the fathers weakness for liquor.
The senator on that occasion wrote
into petition. which he submitted to
the court. pitiful' appeal, I'VE love
them, he wrote in the midst of the
formal legai. paper. I'VE love them
dearly. and We will care for them
tenderly.". ......
Despite all his personal popularity
cided in favor of Mrs. Tillman. Jr..
holding as just her allegations to the
effect that young Tillman was a
drunkard. and was una BILE to support
their children. The senator was much
downcast by this finding. and for a
long time refused to discuss his sons
failings. .......
He was overtaken by paralytic
stroke which nearly cost him his life.
ADul 1h6 SOuSdlcSCSHCSs ut CAll6O
for the children continually. mourning
their loss in his delirium.
The romance anu Ahlvdiry Of the old
south is woven in the story of the
courtship and marriage of Lucy Dugas
and Benjamin Tillman. Jr. Both came
from people who We're honored with
the highest offices in the gifts Of the
people Of South Sarolina. but one
sprang from the descendants of the
old slave owners and the other from
what they are pleased to term the
common people"
Between the two classes is a distinct
line of cleavage and bitter political
animosity. fostered by years of sus-
picion. -.
Miss Dugas was the granddaughter
of Gov. Pickens. who. while minister
to Russia under President Buchanan,
wooed and won the beautiful Miss
Lucy Holcomb. whose charms and
dazzling beauty created sensation in
favorite: 1t was there that Miss
"Douchka" Pickens. the mother Of
Mrs. Tillman. was born, and the czar
himself was her godfather. She in
herited the beauty and graces of her
mother, and in turn transmitted them
to her daughter. Miss Dugas. The old
Pickens home in Edgefield was the
scene OF culture and refinement. and
Is today historic spot.
Strangers Though Neishbors.
Miss Dugas inherited some of the
best blood Of South Carolina. Young
Tillman, named for his father. the
"pitchfork" senator. inherited his
ideals and traditions. and was in every
sense "a chip of the old block" The
two families. the Pickenses and the
Tillmans. although living within few
miles of each other. had nothing to
do with each other.
Disdaining political differences.
young Ben Tillman laid siege to the
heart of the heiress of Edgewood, and
In spite of family objections and OBJ
gtacies OF all kinds won her heart and
hand. and. accordingly. on December
81, 1903. they We're married and took
up their residence at Edgewood, the
ancestral home of the Pickenses.
To them two children were born,
both girls. the first on October IL,
ls04. whom they called Douchka Pick
ems. In honor of the mother Of Mrs.
rillman. and the other was born on
April 6. 1905. whom they called Sarah
for the mother of Mr.. Tillman.
Meanwhile all had not gone we'll
with the parents. and the dissensions
inally led to separation, and in 1909
young Tillman decided the custody of
ne TWO cnltOren 10 MS parents, SEN
ltor and Mrs. Tillman. on the ground
hat he was addicted to drink and
therefore not competent to rear them.
However. the young mother refused
% surrender her children without a
light. and she asked the supreme court
If South Carolina to give them to her,
which 1t did BY decision delivered in
February IS. 1910. AZ formality on
July 2. 1910, Senator and Mrs. Tillman
leeded back the custody Of the two
children to their father. b. r. Tillman.
Tr.
Following the decree young Mrs.
with her two children. went
o her home in Edgewood. near Edge
ield. where she lived for the most
,art. occasionally spending some time
n Cincinnati. She changed the name
4 her youngest daughter from Sarah
'tarke to Lucy Frances.
All this time young Tillman had
,een writing to his wife. Offering to
end money for the support OF the :
'hildren and continually asking to see
hem. Young Tillman said In an
lffldavit that he had only seen the
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