The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-26
WAR BABY TRIAL
Child of Unwed War Bride Be-
fore Courts Again.
If One Wins, Baby in Poverty;
Other, in SatinS.
MOTHERS HAVE HAD TURNS
One in Morning and other in
the Afternoon.
Famous Matters Case Before
Federal Judge Lands.
MOTHERS HAVE HAD TURNS

CnlcagO, july Zb."Ine famous
Matters baby, who has cooed, gurgled
and played with her toes through two
court trials already. was the cent al
figure in another court proceed ag be-
fore Federal Judge Lands here today.
| Margaret Bryan who swore in court
that the baby girl is hers because she
was the unwed war bride of the viii
lage blacksmith of her Canadian
home town, appeared to plead with
the judge to let her have the tiny
mite. The rich Mrs. Annie Dollie
Ledgerwood Matters also claims TO be
the mother of the baby.
Mrs Matters, charged with foisting
the baby on her husbands estate as a
spurious heir, is to go to trial again
July 81, this time charged with per-
Jury in connection with probate court
ted, several months ago, of the direct
charge of fofsting the child on the
Matters estate.
A Plot for .Maupaussant.
The Matters baby case, to date has
unfolded a story that would furnish
a de Maupaussant with plots for a
dozen novels. 1t began when Decem-
ber mated with June--when Frederick
Matters, Arcola, ILL.,, moving picture
magnate, a man nearing 10, married
Anna Dollie Ledgerwood, a woman
of 20.
And then Matters died, leaving a
$780, 900 estate. A few weeks after his
death, Mrs. Matters appeared with a
baby. 1t was hers, she said, born to
her at Misercordia hospital, at Ottawa,
Canada. Other heirs to the estate
questioned her claim of postum Gus
heir. II the first place. they said, pa
renthood was physical impossibility
to Matters.
Physicians came from the hospital
and testified for Mrs. Matters. 1t was
her baby, they said. Then, months
later, Or. l.. c. Emile Bercard, chief
obstetrician of the hospital. came to
Chicago and said his conscience had
troubled him, that he wanted to
change his story.
One Doctor Admitted.
This time he said he was telling the
truth. The baby was not Mrs. Mat
ters's at all. 1t was born to, Margaret
Bryan, a young Canadian girl, who
had surrendered to love when the vii
lage blacksmith in her town went
away to war with the Canadian con-
tingent. The baby was taken from
Margaret at its birth, Doctor Bercard
said, and taken to a room where Mrs.
Matters lay. Margaret was told her
baby had died at birth. She lay list
lessly and sadly in her cot in the pub
lie ward, while Mrs. Matters. known
to, the poor ward as the millionaire
lady," crooned over the child.
Doctor Bercard detailed the surgical
precautions that had been taken to
make it appear Mrs. Matters was the
mother.
Girl Told Her Story.
When the trial of Mrs. Matters on
criminal charge began, the state
sprang a surprise. 1t brought Mar
garet Bryan to Chicago, and the pretty
Canadian girl told the jury her story
But it did not convict Mrs. Matters
Then Margaret went to Federal
Judge Landis. and told him she want
ed her baby. A federal statute pro-
hibits Immigration" of a child with
out consent of it's parents. If Margaret
was the real mother. the law applied
to the Matters baby. So Judge Lands
ordered the child taken from Mrs
Matters, placed in a local institution
and visiting hours so arranged that
Margaret could see it each morning
and Mrs. Matters each afternoon
There the case rested when Mrs Mat
ters went to trial again today
Both women have "mothered" the
child since it was taken from Mrs
Matters Both have sought to win its
love. 1t is about a year old nova
girl baby-and seems to know each of
it's mothers" equally we'll If Mar
garet wins it, when Judge Landis gives
his decision after the present trial, il
will go to the little Canadian town and
I've in c. .nparative poverty. If Mrs.
Matters wins, then the baby will have
silks and satins and automobiles and
debutante's dances.