The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-05
TO FIGHT FOR CHILD


 Following the disposition of the cases today Mrs. Blackburn will initi- ate aggressive proceedings for the possession of her daughter. She has employed William Davis, well known Jasper attorney, to represent her. and she afffrrns that she will leave no stone unturned in efforts to gain pos- session of her own.
 The grandparents of little Mary Blackburn, with whom she resides in Fayette, have expressed an equally strong determination that the girl shall not be restored to her mother. They have employed John II. Bank head, Jr., to defend their interests
 Mrs. Blaclzburn's case is tha t,the girl is hers and that when her possession was questioned some years ago a Bir- mingham court denied the petition of the father, now deceased, that she be given Into his care. The grandparents will contend that the father of the iit- death bed, that Mary, herself, does not wish to return to her mother, and that there are personal and delicate req sons why the little girl should not be entrusted to her parent.
 THE TWO ANGLES
 There is conflict in the testimony GS It CdIuG LO lnLOnSn III TVlc& D following the sensation of some weeks ago. Mrs. Blackburn states that after the court had awarded the child to her she offered to permit it to visit it's father, then living in Fayette; that the last time the child Visited her father she was not permitted to return; that she, herself, then left for California with the promise of a friend that she would be notified as soon as the father. s~- ,l<-r s<<,1 ton, died
 The Blackburn grandparents of the girl contend that the child was awarded to the parents of Mrs. Black burn rather than to Mrs. Blackburn herself. and that, afterwards, in return for a. divorce, the mother signed away her rights-gave the girl into the pos session of the father for all time; that when Dr. Carl Blackburn, father of to her grandparents.
 MRS. BLACKBURN RETURNS
 At any rate, as soon as Mrs Black. burn received word that Dr. Blackburn was dead she came to Alabama Tn Birmingham she employed agents of the Bodeker agency to accompany her to. Fayette and serve as witnesses of the result.
 
 ascertain, as he put it, whether or not the child was in Fayette. Having made certain. he notified Mrs Blackburn, and the following morning Mrs. Black burn, with Fred Bodeker and Harry Goldstein, went to Fayette.
 That the party was en route was telegraphed to Fayette, and Fayette made instant preparations to prevent what it thought. and apparently still believes, was planned Kidnapping.
 SENSATION IN FAYETTE
 When the Birmingham officers reached Fayette they drove to the school which the child, Mary, attends. They stated that it was their object to sec Mary, present her to her mother, and ask her if she desired to go away with her mother. Fayette contends that they drove to the school house for the purpose of snatching Mary from the sidewalk, throwing her into the powered automobile and dashing across the state line into Mississippi
 But Mary, having been apprised. re- mained at home. IA great. crowd Of people gathered about the car, the of- ficers and Mrs. Blackburn and de- handed their business. There were weapons in evidence, the detectives