The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-11-19

tcrests having long centered elsewhere
by his own acknowledgement. But I
did not believe that with his standing
in the church and the Masonic body he
would repudiate his sworn vows, nor
would deny fathers presence to
little son too frail to leave this, his
only haven. | plead, but he insisted.
| then argued but demanded the Gus
todv of the boy and filed my complaint,
charging desertion. No serious contest
arose over the boy until after the death
of Mr. George f. Crowen. Then Mr..
Christie Crowell S struggle to obtain
him became furious. Financial motives
may have prompted that do not
know. The Crowells say Mr. George
Crowell left no will The two men
who, as family lawyers. would have
witnessed such q document, Mr.. Clarke
Fits and Mr.. Eddy, are dead. The
child was the grandfather namesake
and idol.
After the grandfather S death the
persecution began. | was first threat
cned with poverty if | would not
give up the custody of the boy.
refused. | was willing that he should
at times visit his father in the East
if possible. and at any time see him
here But I wished to retain custody.
Then they threatened me with a charge
Of descrtion and adultery if ] did not
agree. | said that nothing not even
death, would make me abandon my boy
to those whom | knew by bitter expe-
ricnce TO be cold and mercileSs to the
weak.
Mr.. Crowcll entered his complaint
aud made general appearance here.
thus giving himself into the jurisdic-
ton of this court. | assembled my
pfoof Finding | would not WELD and
knowing my proofs to be overwhelm-
ing Mr. Crowell tried to push his case
through in Vermont, and, as you know,
succeeded. As my case was entered
here ! did not enter the jurisdiction
| of the Vermont court and the case
went by default. In California court
proceedings are still under way.
The following are the points of my
| legal defense: All my relations with
| Mr.. Wallace prior TO my departure
were fully known to Mr.. Crowell. The
| guardianship matter was fully known
| to him-he assisting at the proceedings
| | did not desert him. | left with his
| full consent, approval and assistance
| and he accompanied US as far as Green
! field. All my actions here have been
| fully known by him. The house | oc
cupied in Hornitos Concerning which
| evidence was introduced in the Yer
mont court was rented while he was
here. was inspected and approved by
| him in my and Mr.. Wallace 5 company
| and before other witnesses, and wa,
| largely furnished by furniture he SEN
out as he expected to make his hom,
| there. The fact that furniture sen
by him included five beds would in
dicate that he knew would not occup,
that house alone.
| never occupied il alone with Mr.
Wallace. At the least my son 5 tuto
was always there-usually from fou
to eight other people also. this bein!
other decent housing room for passin.
friends and business associates.
Fifty witnesses are ready in thi
county to take the stand in my behalf
chief among them the people who's
misrepresented testimony Mr.. Crowel
used TO obtain his eastern divorce.
such is my story. l have not needle,
to face this shame. Had l been tn
woman Mr.. Crowell claims / am / coul
have avoided it 10y giving up the boy
Had ! been the woman he claims,
never would have been content to fac
open trial here where | must live an
where all my life has been an one
book. | have loved my son enough t
brave worse than death Destitute an
branded, face the wears. and am gla(
If only can save him. The fathe
who has detiled my name and woul
take him from me would not even fac
!, questioning in the only court tina
has the legal right to grant him Gu.
tody-his love could not stand tina
little sacrifice. much less the cross G
loneliness and fear and care that
have borne for five years now, alone.
! ask you to Judge. not from pit
for me, but that if in the DAYS to com
this child, who Is dearer than life {
me, should ever meet YOU who wen
once my people, he may not feel shan
IN Your eyes.
ELSINORE ROBINSON CROWELl
Hornitos. Mariposa Co., Calf. No
; | 10. 1917.