Year: 1879

A Curious Case Before the Courts of Geor-


gia-A Daughters Startling Discovery In


Morning Newspaper.


Especial TO the Courier-Journai.l


MACON. Ga, March 26.-A very curious
case is before the courts of this State, in
volving tce custody OF young girl. About
IL years ago young girl OF striking beauty,
belonging TO one OF the most respectable
families in Georgia, was married 10 a
gentleman of good position Shortly after
their union daughter was born TO them.
About this time the young mother yielded
to the temptations of the world, and broke
her marital VOWS. 1t is even said that she
was untrue to her husband immediately
after marriage. and that ne was not the
father of her child. At any rate they were
deepest debauchery. Her rare beauty
gave her great notoriety, and
for years she queened it over the last men of
Georgia, living in luxury and selecting her
lovers. She never kept her child with her,
but shout seven years ago placed it in the
Appleton Home at Macon, which is under
charge of the Episcopal church. The child
living there grew up to young womanhood,
being now about 16 years of ege, and possess
ed OF great personal charms. IN the mean
time the mother wrote constantly to the
daughter, and occasionally visited her, repre-
senting that she made a living by taking in
sewing and doing millinery work. few
| days ago the young girl was brought from
| the Home" to Atlanta by messenger sent
by the mother. and received in close car
| riage. She was carried to the house of q
relative, the mother saying that she did not
| dare to take her pure child to her own
| house, where she must have discovered
the true state of things. The girl
begged to be allowed to go with her
much attached, and the mother, not having
the strength to tell her the truth took ner to
i the house in which she lived alone. The
| matter leaked out in some way, and the
morning papers had a full account of the
matter. The paper fell into the girls hands
| before her mother had seen it, and she read
the whole story, discovering the horrible
| situation in which she was placed. 1t seems
| thoroughly established that the mother had
no designs on her daughter, but that she
| was devoted to her, and intended to send
her TO some relatives in Texas where she
might live in pure atmosphere, and have
| a bright and peaceful life. Soon after read
ing the article the girl dressed and left the
house, saying that she was going to visit tie
| Episcopal minister.


An hour or two later carriage drove up
to the mothers door, containing the sheriff
and two ministers with writ of habeas
corpus for the girl. They found the girl
already gone and returning to the parsonage
found her there. The mother, who has
accumulated considerable money, employed


lawyers and went into the courts TO recover


her daughter. The case has been before the


courts but has not yet been tried. The


church has able counsel, and declare that the


child will never be given up to the mother,
| adding that while she was anxious to go to


her before she knew her character, now


begs TO be kept away from her. The mother


is determined to go to the very highest


courts with her appeal. averring thai she


means TO give her child a respectable


home and a fair chance in life. She


says that tho girl has begged her fol


months to take her frem the charity home


saying that the matron had said she was


going to bind her out as a servant. At pres


ent the girl Is with the Episcopal ministe,


in Atlanta, and is esteemed young woman


OF noble and endearing qualities. The great


est interest prevails over the case. and il
| may become a cause celebre.