The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-01
RICH MEN ADOPT
NAMELESS WAITS
Baker. Kennedy Heir. Takes
One: Columbia Professor
Gets the Other.

Two little children OF unknown parent
age became the foster children and heirs
of families OF wealth and social position
yesterday through orders signed by
Surrogate Fowler. one OF the children,
little girl. becomes entitled to part of the
fortune of Henry cambridge Baker Of
us West Fifty-hfth street, one OF the
nephews OF the late John S. Kennedy
the banker. who left an estate OF
So 0OO.0 900.
The other child. llitle boy, was
adopted by Wesley C,air Mitchell, pro-
fessor OF economies at Columbia Uni
vsrs,ty. and his wife, Mrs. Lucy :.
Mitchell OF AZ West Tenth street
Both children found homes through the
agency of the state Charities Aid Associa-
ton. which maintain home. finding
bureau for children.
Mr.. Baker applied 10 the Surrogate
for an order permitting him To adopt a
little girl aged . years and months
Mr. Bakers petition said that he is IA
person OF substantial means. well able to
provide home FOR the Ilttle girl and
treat her as his lawful child.
He explained that he was divorced from
his wife under the laws OF New Jersey on
october 81. 1911. md that the custody OF
his son. Henry Martyr Baker. now 10
years old, WAS awarded TO him He told
Surrogate Fowler that he desired to ADOPT
the little homeless girl as u companion
for his son.
The little girl was committed IL tho
Department OF Public Charities as a
founding on February "a 1912 Later
the state Charities Aid Association uu-
dertook TO find a home for her and she
was placed temporarily In the care OF
Mr.. Baker In February. 1913.
MY boy and | have come to love the
little girl very much and II is largely
a, h.s request that applied for perms-
sion to adopt her" said Mr.. Baker. She
Is "A beautiful child and well worthy Of
the love Of any parent.
Ever since my little boy was old
enough to talk he has asked me to bring
him home "a little sister for Christmas.
Even when he grew older he still talked
about 1t on every Christmas Day. Tho
best | could do TO satisfy his wish was
TO adopt this little girl. ana FOR that
reason nhNc uont ~ VI! SON - now III
the Hll School In Pennsylvania, and he
can scarcely wait until vacation time II
come home and see his little sister"
The boys mother, who was Virginia
Lee of Boston. was married 10 MIR. Baker
in 1888. She sued for divorce IN New
Jersey in 1910. The court gave her "A
decree, but awarded the custody OF the
boy to the father
After her divorce Mrs Baker marreo
Thomas Cary Welch. assistant executive
secretary Of the Philippine Government
and went to the Islands to live. She came
here a year ago to see her son. Learning
that he was attending a boys school IN
West FNfty-nnth street. she met him on
the street Al the noon recess and took him
TO lunch with her AT the Waldorf in spite
OF the protest OF the boys ndrse. Nj
Baker was notified at once and hurried to
the hotel with his attorney, The mother
was permitted to finish luncheon with her
son, when she took him back to the school
In time for his afternoons work.
Prof Mitchell OF Columbia said In his
petition to Surrogate Fowler that ne
wanted TO adopt George Taylor" boy
born on May 20, 1913. whose parents are
not known to the authorities. Prof, Nit
chell said that he and his wife were worth
more than 800, 900 and that It would be
to the boys advantage to become their
foster child. The child became public
ward in the Nursery and childs Hospital
and remained In the hospital more than
six months, when the State Charities Aid
Assorlattun found "a hOns for the child
with Prof and Mrs. Mitchell
Prof. Mitchell, who Is 40 years old. was
University OF California lecturer at Har-
ward before he was called TO Columbia
He Is one of the leading authorities on
economics In tho country,