Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-26
DONNELLY TO FIGHT
FOR SONS CUSTODY
High School Professor, Held in
Contempt, Still Defiant of
Courts Order
HOPES WIFE WILL RETURN

James Henry Donnclly. professor of
English at the Southern High School.
whom Judge Brown, Municipal Court.
has declared in contempt of court be-
cause of his refusal to obey an order
giving Mrs. Donnclly the custody Of
their two children, is holding the fort in
the Drischmnu Apartments, in Chelsea.
Atlantic city.
With him is his son. "Jimmic." Il
manly chap of eight years, whom Judge
Brown has ordered into the mother $
custody upon allegations that the father
is not'a fit person. and n maid. who
never permits ".Iimmic" to leave her
side unless he is with his father.
Professor Donnclly intends to fight to
the end He has not given up hope
that his wife, who was Miss Anna
Henderson. daughter of n millionaire
and whom he married min" years ago,
yet will regret her action in leaving
him, despite the fact that she has en-
tered suit for divorce.
Mrs. Donnclly is living in German
town with Anna, their four year old
daughter
IIlames Third Party.
Professor DonnrIly. with brown eyed,
, fair haired Jimmie at his side, refused
this afternoon to say one word against
his wife. 'Shc is the victim Of the
marhinatiuns of the same power that
has made my life u hell upon earth
for nearly two years. he dcClarcd
reading from long. typcwritt"n version
OF their marital troubles. which shortly
/ arc to be aired in the courts.
! "AlI our troubles" tho schoolmastor
/ continued. ''dntc from the day my wife,
/ inspired by n whim, went from oul
cottage in Ncntnor, in June. 1917. to
consult lawyer in Philadelphia about
family affairs. She had made up hrI
mind that she did not want to live
in NcrtnOr. and She went to see the
attorney MS to her rights in the matter.
"Sinc" that time my wife has bccl
wholly in the control of others. She
left our homo on June |. 1917.
II make no charges against her.
never spent night away from my
wife except when she was in n hos
pitaI. She is the victim of my enemies.
"ChargoS of cruelty contained in the
suit for divorce, filed in Philadelphia
are Il fantastic invention. Thoy are
part of n deliberate plan to take Mrs
| Donnclly ont of my life and get posses
sion and control of her property.
/ Professor Donnolly said that Il" Wa
/ given no opportunity to meet tho chGrgc'
! of Il detective of Il Broad street hotrl
/ upon whose testimony Judge brown
children.
Professor Donncly has cmplrye,
former Judge Clarence l.. cole and cX
Senator Emerson Richards. of Atlantic
/ city. to protect his interests. Any at
/ tempt forcibIy to take little Jimmie from
his fathers charge by agents of tn,
other side. will be met with Summar!
measures according {" Mr.. DonnciIy
/ \ detective is said 10 hr constant.
| within raIl of the Chelsea npartmrn
! house where Jimmie and his father hav
"a very comfortable suite.
( .Iimmr'S father declined to admit thi
afternoon that .IimmiC'S presence il
( Chelsea is contempt of Judge Brown
/ He said: II brought Jimmie to ChrISc
/ hv advice uf Il physician for his health
AS for being in contempt Of court my
| self. You can say that ! huv" oyer
contempt for that court and YOU ca
make il iu.l -, strong us YOU please.
Professor Doun"'ly has been ON l"uv,
ur absence from his duties since Feb
ruury. He now fears his enemies vii
attempt 10 Us" the situation whicl