Putnam patriot., 1916-09-15

POMFRET MOTHER
After NegIectiug Her Child for More Than Five Years Seeks Her Custody
Unusual and Pathetic Story Told at
 Hearing in Probate Court

According to a story untolded at a hearing before the Probate court of Hartford last Saturday, Mrs. Edward Breen, who over five years ago left her nine years old child in Pomfret to go west, now wants her child back and is fighting the application of the Con neeticut Humane ssociety to femoA e the daughter from the guardianship of her mother.
 The case came to the attention Of the society in 1912 and is one of the most unusual cases Il has ever handled.
 Al that time because of the condi, tion of the child from a physical and mental standpoint no home could be found for her by the society and she was finally placed in the House of Good shepherd. Since that time in 1912, the child has greatly improved mentally and physically. She has had a school training there and de- veloped most remarkably.
 It was more than five years ago when Mrs Breen, who had for some time lived in Pomiret, left for the west with 52 cents and railroad ticket. She was on her way to accept position on ranch
 Because she did not have the means, she was unable to take her daughter. Mary, who was then nine years old with her, and she left her in the home of John Rooney, where she had for merly worked as housekeeper. Last week Thursday Mrs. Breen appeared in Pomfret looking for her daughter and was greatly surprised to learn that she had been placed in the home. When Mrs. Breen worked for MT. Rooney her daughter was with her and she left her there, when she went west, believing the child would be all right. However, in the meantime, the humane society investigated the case, and found the home of MT. Rooney an unfit place for the child.
 Miss Mary Lally, secfetsry of the humane society, testified at the heaf' ing that most reVolting conditions were found in tue hone. DANhen the child WAS removed to the House of Good Shepard, said Miss Lally, she had sore eyes and a sore face, wore mems shoes and clothes that were un- fit. Miss Lally said Mrs. Breen wrote very few letters to her daughter during the five years she was in the west.
 Mrs. Breen told the court of her ex- periences travelling in the west after giving up her position with the family she first went out to see, and who paid her railroad fare. She said she "knocked around quite a bit' and travelled through great part of the country, working here and there on ranches as opportunity offered. When she left Pomfret her husband worked in New Jersey but finally went west to join her. She told of the elopement of her older daughter who married a ranchman soon after she joined her mother, and of her Mrs. Breen's) set- ting in Sheridan, Wyo., where she now owns property.
 Mrs Breen at times during the Eear- ing sobbed and said she wanted her child back, declaring that if she could have her she would take her west and give her a good education. She said she thought her daughter was at the home of MT. Rooney all the itime.
 Judge Marvin ordered the case con- tinued for two weeks to secure affi- davits from prominent people in Sher- iden, regarding Mrs. Breen's standing.