The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1914-11-26
WARDS OF COURT TAKE STAND.
Tillman Children Again Causes of
Litigation.

Columbia, S. c., November 24.-
Douschka Pickens Tillman, 10
years of age, and Lucy Frances COR
Sarah S. Tillman, years OF age,
were put through a severe crosseX-
animation by attorneys before the su-
preme court yesterday in the case in
volving their custody. 1t is probably
the first time in the history OF South
Carolina that children have been call
ed to testify before the supreme
court. The little girls have been
growing up under the jurisdiction OF
the court during the last several
years.
The principal contention in the case
was that the little girls had dis
obeyed the mandate of the court by
refusing to remain with their grand
parents, Mr.. and Mrs. B. R. Tillman,
during a stated period.
After taking the testimony of
many witnesses, including that OF
Mrs. Lucy Dugas, mother Of the chill
dren, the court adjourned for the day
and took the case under Amusement.
After the hearing yesterday, Eu-
gene B. Gary chief justice, signed
the following order:
AT the hearing on the return to
the rule hereto attached, the attor-
neys for B. R. Tillman. Jr., the father
of the children above named, made 1t
appear to the court that, on account
of his absence from the State on busl-
ness for several months past, he had
no opportunity to see or be with his
children, and that his business would
call him out of the State again about
December I. next, when he would be
absent for some time. He therefore
requested the court to order that
pending the decision of the court on
the return herein, he be allowed to
have his children with him as much
as possible from now until December
/. The court deems the request rea-
sonable.
1t is therefore ordered that the
children, Douschka P. Tillman and
Sarah S. Tillman, stay with their
father Thursday, November 26, and
Saturday and Sunday, November 2S
and 20: their going to their father
and their return to their mother
to be at such times as will not inter
fere with their duties or studies at
school. Let a certified copy of this
order be served upon Mrs. Lucy Du-
gas, the mother of said children"
The case was called for hearing
at 10 o'clock and all testimony had
been completed by noon. B. R. Till
man, Jr., father Of the little girls
sat with his attorneys in the court
room. He recently returned from
Alaska, where he is engaged in gov
ernment work. He is to return to
Alaska soon.
Mrs. Lucy Dugas, mother OF the
children, had been ordered TO appear
before the cour, and show cause why
she should not give up the partial
custody of the children. Under the
first order of the court, the children
were required to be left with the
father at their grandparents home al
certain periods during the year. II
was charged that the children refused
to remain with their grandparents
and that they were very unruly.
Father Files Petition.
B. R. Tillman, Jr., filed the fol-
lowing petition with the court:
Pursuant to the order of the
court heretofore passed in this cause
the petitioner, B. R. Tillman, Jr., ap'
pears before the court and respect
fully submits the affidavits hereto at
tached and in reference tnereto IT,
spectfully asks that the honorable
court make such disposition OF the
custody and control of his said chill
dren as shall be for their best inter
est and in connection Herewith thi:
petitioner desires to express his Will
.ingness either to assume full charge
and control of his said children. or
if the court deems it best, to place
them in some institution where the!
will be properly cared for and train
ed, this petitioner will gladly beal
whatever expense may be required tt
properly support, educate and main
tain them.
Your petitioner earnestly pray
that in either event the direction ant
control of the future education ant
training of these children be placed
in his hands and that such dlsposl
ton of them be made which will b'
more beneficial to their future train
ing than the present arrangement.