Norwich bulletin., 1917-09-10

Interested in the welfare of Mary Dahood, a former charge in the Rock Nook Children's Home in Norwich, Mrs. John c. Averill. Mrs. Oliver L. Johnson, directors, and Mrs Jennie L. Murray. matron of the institution, were at a special session of the West erly probate court. Saturday. Judge Edward M. Burke, presiding. The oc casion was a hearing on the petition of Miss Dahood asking for the ap- pointment of Job Thorp, as guardian of her person and estate. The peti- ton was granted. and MT. Thorp was bond was fixed at s2O0. with Thomas H. Peabody surety. Eugene B. Pen dleton was appointed appraiser to comply with legal requirements, but there Is no personal property to ap- praise. Judge Herbert W. Rathbun, is counsel for Miss Dahood.
 No one appeared in opposition to the petition, as there is to be a hear ing in habeas corpus proceedings in the superior court in Providence to- Gay (Mondayl
 Mrs Averin' told the court that the Rock Nook Children's Home was sup ported by private charity, was not in cofporated, but was an integral part of the United Workers, which is in corporated Mrs. Dahood came to Nor wieh from Syria about thirteen years ago. leaving on account of the mas sacres, supposing her husband had been killed; with her was the daugh- ter, Mary, then not five years of age, and a brother. Michael. about a year younger. Mrs Dahood asked for aid from the home and the children were taken, the mother agreeing to help pay for their support. but this she never did Mrs. Dahood went away to New York, and when she returned about three years later said she had mar ried, supposing that the husband would care for the children. This he -,1< I ', ton, according to the woman. She would have nothing to do with the children. and the directors of the home preferred to give the woman a wide berth She rarely visited the children after that time.
 As the Rock Nook Is not a perma- nent home for children, a fine home was secured for the boy in the fam fly of a Baltic physician, and he was given every opportunity for advance ment- The boy liked his home and was intensely interested in his school studies. When he became twelve took him to Brooklyn where she want ed him for work iJ a small shop she had opened. The directors did not want these bright children to go to to be to their advantage. and these children were kept at the home for a longer time than is usual.
 Mary Dahood, the petitioner for the
 
 five years. and was rarely visited by the mother. Before she became H. she was placed in the family of Job Thorp. in Westerly. where she was Mrs. Thorp and. given an excellent education. Mrs. Averil1 said the di- rectors, and Miss Dabood, too, were fortunate in securing a home for her ought not to be given into the custody of the mother at this late day.
 Miss Dahood told the court that she was nearly eighteen years of age: and that her present home life was more than satisfactory. that she was treated as a daughter. and did not want her mother, who practically abandoned her in early childhood. to take her away for purposes that she knew not of. She wanted the court to appoint Mr. Thorp her legal guardian.
 Miss Dahood was graduated from the Westerly High school in the class schoolmates, and all her acquaintances i She was engaged as a teacher at | Tonaquag, and was there on Labor | Day, preparing for the school open ing, when her almost forgotten mother | appeared and insisted that she must | not teach school. but go immediately l with her to New ork. as she had se- | 1ected a career for her. The young | ceedings were commenced. While MT 1 and Mrs Thorp have served as father | and mother, it became necessary in | behalf of Miss Dahood. that MT. Thorp | become her guardian, and he was so | appointed by Judge Burke. Friday evening MT. and Mrs. Thorp i were cited by Sheriff John R. Wilcox | in habeas corpus proceedings in the | superior court at Providence, Monday. Those trying to get legal possession 1 of Miss Dahood will endeavor to show that she is being held illegally by MT. | and Mrs. Thorp. The Norwich ladies
 
 go to Providence today in the inter ests of Miss Dahood. and explain to | the court reasons why she should re- main with the Thorp family rather | wishes to be given into the custody of | a mother who abandoned her over 12 | years ago.
 Major Arthur N. Nash, of Westerly, formerly with the Rhode Island Coast | Artillery Corps. who was atta ched for | a short time to the One Hundred and | Third Field Artillery. at BoXford. | Narra agansett Bay Coast defence dis trict- With six other coast artillery i officers from Rhode Island. Major Nash was ordered to Boxford to fill 1 in the new regiment. The other officers will remain. Major | Hamilton will command the first bat -aIion- Captain Everett s. Chaffe has been appointed to be acting command ar of the second battalion composed of Batteries and D and Captain J. A. rwachman- of Connecticut is in tenn ,orary command of the Third battalion which includes Batteries F and F. First Lieutenant Norman Mcleod of Battery B has been detailed acting -egfmental adjutant.
 Local Laconics.
 John Penge1ly of Easton Pa, form | .riy of Westerly. is here on a vacation. T-bor,1S OsCoOneII of Sfoninptop