Smyrna times., 1922-02-01
CHARGED WITH ABDUCTION
Mrs. James E. Needham, Townsend,
Excited in Plea for Divorce.

MIS- JoIitCS Es 4NctuHdilt, 1OWH WHSCitu1
Excited in Plea for Divorce.
The police station at Wilmington
was the scene of considerable disor-
der early Saturday night, when Mrs.
Elsie D. Needham, of Townsend, who
is suing her husband for divorce, aid
ed by number of friends, attempted
to take her two children away from
their father, James E. Needham, of
Philadelphia, who had just been taken
into custody on non-support charge
preferred by the wife and who was
arranging fir bail. Needham was ac-
companied by several friends, who !
were arranging to go his bail. Sud- |
denly, Mrs. Needham made dramatic
appearance and attempted to take two
of their children, both boys under 9
years of age, away from their father.
During a hot tilt between the rival
factions the youngsters ran to their
father and refused to leave MIN.
Abduction Charged Against Father
At this juncture a new twist was
given the case when State Detective
John Moore served a warrant on Mr..
Needham, charging him with abduc
ton of the children. He was taken
before Magistrate Harry Stradley and
after a preliminary hearing was re-
| leased on bail. Needham was repre-
sented by Alexander Jamison and the
wife by Assistant City Solicitor Green
AS the boys were in the custody of
| their father and no legal action de-
priving him of them has thus far been
taken, this fact, together with their
unmistakable preference for him,
caused the authorities to reach a de-
cision not to interfere at this time.
The youngsters went off with .neir
father. In Superior Court on Satur-
day morning testimony was heard in
the divorce case of Mrs. Needham
against her husband. Because of the
character of the testimony, Mrs. Need
ham was permitted to make herself
heard only to the Court, attorneys and
her husband. NeeGham had been out
of this State for some time, he hav-
ing gone to Wisconsin, but returned to
fight his wife's action, bringing with
him the three children. Two of tine
boys were in the court room. Mrs.
Needham testified she was married
April 20, 1911, and that she and her
husband separated October a, 1920.
The boys, now 9, 7 and 4 years of age,
were born of their marriage, she stat
ed. 1t was alleged by Mrs. Needham
that her husband subjected her to
4 tro,l fr.os, E -
treatment, she said, she had to under
go an operation in 1920. He at once
threatened to kill her, Mrs. Needham
testified.
Mrs. Needham Tells of Agreement
While testifying, Mrs. Needhan
was greatly agitated and at time:
cried. She was allowed to leave tht
stand to compose herself She sale
| her husband stole their children while
in her custody, at Townsend, on De
cember 10. She said that there wa
an agreement between her and he
| husband giving her custody of tn
children. DR.. Swithin Chandler, o
| Philadelphia, testified the treatmen
that Mrs. Needham evidently under
| went at the hands of her husband wa
such as to endanger her life. The cas-
was heard before Judges Richards an
! Rodney. In his defense Needham dc
| MED Mrs. Needham's allegations an
| made counter charges against hi
wife. He claimed she should not b
| intrusted with the care and educatio
| of the three children. He also claim
| that the children do not desire to b
with their mother. He charged sh
was friendly toward some other mer
| Pending a decision of the Srrrem
| Court, Needham was ordered to pa
| his wife $40 week