| OMAHA, Neb., March 2, 1900 - (Special) -"Oh, Judge, have mercy; she is my child; she was born to me!" These were the words of Mrs. Anna Dodd when Judge Lee Estelle of the district court rendered a decision that afternoon that little Marvel Dodd, a flaxen-haired, blue-eyed prattler of five years, should not be restored to her parents because they were too poor to feed and clothe a family. This wail of a broken-hearted mother was followed by a series of piercing screams, which could be heard a block distant. Mrs. Dodd pressed her hands to her temples and reeled against the wall. Her husband, Benjamin Dodd, who sat in the court room, became frantic and attempted to make an assault upon Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Gordon, the foster parents of his child. It was the close of one chapter of the celebrated Dodd children habeas corpus case against the Nebraska Children's Home society, by far the most intensely dramatic scene that has occurred within the gloomy court house for a long time. By-standers and the court bailiff restrained Dodd from violence and a moment later he half led, half carried his wife from the court room out into the streets. Mrs. Gordon, who has demonstrated maternal fondness for the disputed child, gave vent to emotion and her tears fell freely. Hardened court house loungers were solemnly silent. It was a scene to soften a heart of adamant. Old-time lawyers walked to the windows and looked out. Judge Estelle went to his private office and the bailiff declared court adjourned for the day. |
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