New-York tribune., 1922-06-09
Kidnapped Boy
Goes to Mother
In Tucker Suit
Maternal Love Wins Against
Banker Who Took Second
Wife After Home Was
Broken by Divorce Suit
Both Parties Prosperous
"Buck" Dougherty. Prince
ton Man, Figured in Case,
as Well as Mrs. Knapp

Through habeas corpus proceedings
brought by Mrs. Virginia Kcmbie
Tucker, living AZ the Ritz. in Phila-
delphia, after the alleged kidnapping
by her divorced husband. John Tucker
banker. broker and society man, Of
their ten-year old son. Richard kemble
Tucker. the boy will be restored TO the
custody OF Mrs. Tucker. IL was IL
December. 1921. the mother said. that
her former husband. in violation Of an
agreement made between them, went 20
Ovcrbrook. Pa. where the boy was at
tending school, and took him to New
York 70 live with him and his second
wife at lIs Riverside Drive.
Charles L. Hoffman. TO whom the
matter was referred as referee, filed his
report 10 the Supreme Court yesterday
recommending that Mrs Tucker have
the guardianship Of her son. as
mother best suited b. nature. instinct,
training and experience 20 transmute
her affection for her child in terms
Of personal service" Mr. Tucker may
have his son with him for two weeks
after the beginning Of the school vaca-
ticn and for two weeks before the VA
cation ends. Al other times the father
may see his son only in the city where
tho latter happens 10 be.
Mrs. Tucker. = daughter Of Mrs.
Isaac Wistar Kcmble. Of Philadelphia,
wss married 10 John Tucker in that
city in 1910. The Tucker family mad
an estate AZ Devon. near Philadelphia.
Mr and Mrs. Tucker lived az Wood
mere and Cedarhurst. L. J.. until Feb
ruary. 1919. when the wife returned
20 her mother
Where Mrs. Knapp Entered
She obtained a decree Of divorce in
the Court Of Common Pleas, Philadcl-
phia. in July, 1920. Mr.. Tucker later
married Mrs. Phoebe Thorne Knapp.
who had been the wife Of Harry X.
Knapp IT,. Who also were divorced.
Mrs. Tucker had complained about
the alleged friendly relations that *
istcd between her husband and Mrs
Knapp Her first knowledge Of this
she said. came 10 her in the form Of
anonymous letters signed Your
Friend"
In her habcas corpus proceeding
Mrs Tucker charged that her former
husband was unfit 20 have the custody
of their son. that he had broken his
promise 10 her. made several times. 70
discontinue his relations with Mrs
Knapp. mentioning also that Mr.. Tuck
or was a patron OF the racetracks. Mrs
Tucker said that following the death
Of their son John Tucker ir.. in May.
1915. her husband gave his word OF
honor that he would discontinue the
complained-of relations.
During the proceedings the name Of
Buck" Doughcrty. n Princeton gradu-
ate, wss injected into the case as a
friend Of Mrs. Tucker. 20 whom ~ was
reported she was engaged She denied
the engagement and also that she had
received presents OF jewclry from him
Mrs. Tucker said that she visited Mr..
Dougherty's parents for week ends.
Telling about her marriage 10 NJ.
Tucker. his former wife said that she
was then tTenfy years old. She had
known him since she was twelve or
thirteen, when he was a student a. tho
Delaney School IN Philadelphia He
later was graduated from Harvard.
Mrs. Tucker said she is receiving An
income OF $1,000 % $4,000 a year from
the estate Of her grandmother, and be
sides being able % take care Of her son
at the Ritz her mother has a house
keeping residence " Is 20 80 Ritten-
house Square, Philadelphia.