The Washington herald., 1914-11-07
Use DECOY BABY
TO EVADE WRIT
Fisticufs and Communicated
Autos Figure IN Frick's
Fruitless Efforts.
BLAMES WIFE'S PARENTS
Lively Scene Enacted at Founding
Asylum When Husband Attempts
Coup de Theatre.
BLAMES WFE'S PARENTS

Fistcuffs Communicated automobiles
and dummy baby all figured in the ef-
forts OF George Frederick Friok. Of
this city, to prevent his wife's relatives
from obtaining possession Of his six
weeks-old baby girl. which he says his
wife deserted last Tuesday.
Having evaded service for two days Of
a habeas corpus writ sworn out by Mrs
Frieks family, Frick appeared in the
District Supreme Court yesterday. after
a similar ATrit had, been served on the
authorities OF the Washington Founding
Asylum, where Frick had kept the in
fant hidden since last Tuesday. As a
result OF the hearing yesterday, Mrs.
Frick was given temporary charge OF
the infant with the understanding that
1t remains under the jurisdiction Of the
court, and must be produced on two days
notice given by its father.
Claims Wife Deserted Him.
Frick is a statistIcian in the Depart
ment OF Agriculture. He is a Washington
boy and a graduate OF Georgetown Uni
versity. He declared yesterday that his
wife had deserted him because of the
influence OF her family, that he has
begged her to come back. and even prom
ised TO give her the baby IL she would
call for It herself. He finally induced
her to come TO Washington with him last
Saturday from her parents home near
Fort Myer, Va. They were married IN
June, 1914
Monday they rented an apartment in
Wardman court, where Mr.. Frick's
mother lives, and the following day Mrs.
Frick left, ostensibly to get some clothes
She refused to return. Frick SAYS he
refused to let her take the baby through
fear her people would detain both. Frick
says he told his wife over the telephone
that IL she would come for the baby he
would let her have IT, This she refused
TO do.
Frick then took the baby to the Wash
ington Founding Asylum, I7I5 Fifteenth
street, and when a writ of habeas corpus
was issued against him Wednesday he
evaded service. Thursday night he deter
mined TO remove the child from Washing
ton to Baltimore. Yesterday he went TO
the vicinity of the hospital in an automo-
bile with girl friend. He sent the girl
into the hospital with a dummy baby In
her arms, instructing her to call for his
baby and bring her around the corner to
the waiting automobile. AS the girl went
In she passed two of Mrs. Frick's broth
ers. who were waiting outside the hos
pital while their attorney was obtaining
writ Of habeas corpus against the hos
Iital authorities. d
Ghter EtstcuuS and Auto. u
Sighting Prick, his brothers-In-Iaw be-
came suspicious and when the girl with
the infant emerged from the hospital,
started to follow her. Hoping to divert
the pursuit. Frick started to run in an
other direction. One Of the brothers fol-
lowed him, while the other stayed by the
girl and the baby. Frick engaged his
pursuer and was having a merry battle
when the enemy was REINFORCED by
friends and a deputy marshal with the
writ. Unwilling to be served. Frick
broke away and jumped into a passing
automobile, the drivers of which decided
to get him away first and ask questions
later.
In the meantime the girl and baby
had been taken back to the hospital and
the writ served on the superintendent,
yesterday.
The hearing yesterday was continued
and the child given into the temporary
OF the mother. Frick denied.
and says his wife has contradicted, re-
ports that he used force to induce her
to sign certain papers. He blames his
troubles on her parents, and declares |
hat he and his wife could be perfectl,
happy IL permitted to work out their !
oint destiny alone.