Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-22
TILLMAN FIGHTS
FOR SONS BABIES

Columbia, S. c., Nov. 21.-Half
blind. broken in body and spirit, and
with but a few more years to live.
Senator Tillman has at last admitted
that his son has been a drunkard,
thus sacrificing his pride that he may
again sea his two beautiful grand
children. Douschka and Sarah.
For more than three years, since
the separation Of Benjamin S. TILL
man. Jr., and his wife, the old sena-
tor has fought for the children, whom
he loves beyond anything in the
world.
Leaving Washington two years ago,
he hurried TO his home in South Caro-
lima and personally drew and took
into court a petition asking that he
be given the custody of his grand
children.
I'VE love them" he wrote in the
midst of the formal legal paper. I'VE
love them and will care for them
teIderly."
But the young Mrs. Tillman, who
vas formerly Lucy Dugar, a grand
daughter of former Governor Pickens,
stubbornly fought for her babies,
denying the old statesman's conten-
tion that she was not doing we'll Dy
/ them.
She set up in her answer that her
| divorced husband was a drunkard;
/ that he could not support the children,
and that they would be better with
her than with him or his kin.
! And despite Senator Tillman's
great influence. the court denied his
| petition, and permitted his daughter
in-law. who had been restored to her
maiden name of Dugar, to keep her
| little ones.
Then came the paralytic stroke that
nearly cost the senator his life, and
| from which he was slow to recover,
even sufficiently to resume his duties
at Washington.
Through the days Of his partial con-
valescence he mourned for the chill
dren, repeatedly calling for them
when he was not himself, and beg
ging that they be brought to his side
when he could receive any visitors
at all.
He was at loss to understand at
first what had become of them. The
babies who had been his joy and
pride-whom he loved with tender
devotion that he bestowed on a few
human beings, could not come to him.
1t was puzzling. Why was it7
With further recovery came realiza-
ton, and from that blow it was thought
he would not recover.
Gradually of late he has been gain
ing strength. Deeply humiliated by
his sons weakness, he refused to ad-
nit IL, or TO speak OF it till It be-
came necessary, in order that he
might have a better claim on the chill
dren.
Now, with as much strength as will
ever be his, he has brought himself
/ TO admit that his son has been a
drunkard, but at the same time he
contends that the boy has been cured
Of his weakness, and that once more
/
his own children.
The determination to take this hu-
initiating course was brought about by
the fact that Mrs. Dugar contemplates
leaving the state.
AS soon as the senator heard Of
this intention he forthwith gathered
himself together and drew the new
petition in which, owing that his son
has been addicted TO drink, he quotes
affidayits to the effect that the young
man is once more the master OF him
self.
Chief Justice Gary has set Nov. 2s
for the hearing The children's faith
er has filed with the court copies Of
letters sent by him to his former wife,
together with her answers, showing
his love for her and the children, his
efforts at a reconciliation, and the
manner in which he has been repulsed.