The Washington times., 1928-09-13
Gl D R|A''S
DOLL AND
PUP co,
TOO

Matus was settled today by
Justice Wendell p. Stafford IN
District Supreme Court.
Justice Stafford upheld the deci-
sion of the three judges OF Orphan
Court, Prince Georges County, Mo.
and made Henry f. w. Meyer the
five-year-old orphans legal guardian
Was Fathers Wish
Meyer, an old friend of the girls
dead father and whose wife is
Cloria's god-mother. was named in
papers signed before Matus' death
making him administrator OF his
estate and guardian OF his chic
In the event of his death.
Gloria's parents, Mr.. and Mrs;
Eric Matus, of Greater CapltCi
. Heights, Md. went to their 5eaths
while their daughter played hap
PLY with the children OF another
couple.
When Matus landed in Baltimore
Is years ago, unable TO speak
word of English, he made his nome
with Mr.. and Mrs. Meyer, VINO came
from the same German state that
Matus called home.
In the years that followed Matus
moved to Washington, married and
nearly five years ago Gloria was
born.
Meyers Move Here
Mr.. and Mrs. Meyer and their
children also moved to Washington.
The two families maintained the
old friendships. Mrs. Meyer be-
came Gloria's mother and the
child was taught to call her
grandma"
! Several years ago the Matus
family met Mr.. and Mrs. John
Schaeffer. a German family living
in the 400 block Of Irving ST. n. E
The two families visited back and
forth and Gloria became friendly
with the Schaeffer children.
On the Saturday that Mr.. and
Mrs. Matus went down the Potomac
River on a weekend fishing trip
they left Gloria with the Schaeffers
1t has since been learned that Mrs.
Never was out OF the city, which
necessitated a change in the original
plan to leave the child with her.
Early Sunday morning, August s,
Mr.. and Mrs. MatuS were pitched
from the row boat in which they
were fishing into so feet of water.
Their bodies were not recovered for
several days.
Schaeffers Keep Gloria
When the tragedy became known
IN Washington. the Schaeffers said
they would care for Gloria until any
living relatives were located. Weeks
passed and no kin were found. The
Prince Georges county court had
approved the papers found after the
double tragedy in which Meyer was
named administrator of the estate
and guardian of the child. Sun
she Nayed with the Schaeffers.
Two weeks ago Meyer demanded
that the Schaeffers turn Gloria over
To him. They refused and the mat
tpr was at a standstill until Tuesday
when the Orphans Court upheld
Meyers claims.
In the nnea ntime. Mr.. and Mrs.
Alvin Scheffel. Of Milwaukee. the
latter q cousin Of Matus. arrived in
Washington and made efforts TO oh
tain custody If the girl. The action
of the Maryland court ended their
activities and they returned 10 the
Wisconsin city.
Following the return from Upper
Marlboro of John Schaeffer. Gloria
was spirited away to the home Of
friend. Yesterday Meyer appealed
TO Justice Jennings Bailey in Dis.
trict Supreme Court for writ Of
habeas corpus. The writ was issued
and served on Schaeffer.
Child UnwOrried
Counsel for Schaeffer asked yes
terday that the case be continued
until today in order that he might
have an opportunity to study the
Maryland courts jurisdiction in the
case.
Today no opposition was heard
when Justice Stafford turned Gloria
over to Meyer.
Never told reporters that he would
take the girl into mis- own home and
would adopt her if necessary, The
case was complicated by the fact
that all parties insisted they We're
acting only 10 protect the child and
to keep the faith with her dead par
ents.
Gloria went along with Mr.. and
Mrs. Meyer and their 10.year-old
daughter, Evelyn. willingly enough.
She had her rag doll and her playful
pup and life couldn't hold much more
for a 4-year.old.
TT @ H. II 4