Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 196, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 September 1917 — COURT DECIDES AGAINST FATHER [ARTICLE]

COURT DECIDES AGAINST FATHER

JUDGE DENIES PARENT CUSTQDY OF SON REARED BY „ OTHERS. , . . -S——. . » Judge Charles W. Hanley, of the Jasper-Newton circuit court, had before him Monday afternoon one of the most difficult cases that has been presented to his honor since he was placed upon the bench of this judicial circuit. Harold Sharp, a bright, lovable lad of twelve years of age, having lost his mother by a street car accident in the city of Indianapolis some nine years ago, was received into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rishling of this city and since that time he had been the object of their most tender care.

The Sharps and Rishlings had been close neighbors and great friends. When Harold was born -Mrs. Rishling was present and with loving kindness and tender helpfulness ministered to the mother in that hour of anguish and anxiety. During the first two years following this event Mrs. Sharp and Mrs. Rishling were much in each other’s homes and Harold was greatly loved by each, Mrs. Sharp seemed to have had a premonition that her life might not be spared to see, Harold grow into manhood and she had said to Mrs. Rishling in the event of her being taken away she wanted her to take Harold and rear him as her. own son.

The third year came and the Sharps moved to Indianapolis. This was in the spring and when fall came the Rishlings were invited to visit them. It was a happy group of people as they left the Union station at the capitol city and started for the Sharp hoffie. As they alighted from the street car on which this happy ourney was being made a passing street car struck Mrs. Sharp and fatally injured her and her death occurred a few hours later, she having failed to regain consciousness. The body of this dear friend was brought to the Rishling home in Rensselaer and from there the bereft father with relatives and friends made the sad journey to the church and cemetery. Harold, already the idol of the Rishlings, became a member of their family and entwined himself into their affections deeper as the days passed on. The father was engaged n a work that took him all over the middle and eastern states. But when possible he would call at the Rishling home and visit with Harold. Harold, as the years passed by and as he entered into the school and church life of the community, became a favorite of his young comrades and was greatly admired by all who knew him. Much deserved credit was given to Mr. and Mrs. Rishling'for the splendid training he was receiving. He was ..a manly, clean, lovable lad. Six years ago the father of Harold remarried. He continued his work, which necessitated his continued absence from home. His wife was also employed, as a stenographer, but Harold was entertaihed in the new home at vacation times. About a year ago the father resigned his position, as did the stepmother, and they purchased a farm in Johnson county and moved upon it, exchanging their beautiful Indi--1 anapolis home as part payment. Harold was invited to spend the summer on the farm. On account ofMrs. Rishling’s illness he did not go to the farm until July 5. Here for six weeks he remained and assisted in helping with much of the work In the meantime Mr. Sharp had written to the Rishlings that he had decided to have Harold remain with him. This was indeed sad news to the Rishlings and Mr. Rishling wertt to the Sharp home to talk the matter over with Harold and his father. Harold wanted to return to the home in which he had lived from the time memory had served him, ana to those who had nurtured him with a fondness manifested by few par-

ents. Rishling’s request that the boy be returned to him was denied by .the father and sad' at heart Rishlmg returned to his home and to a sadder heart than his own. Harold becamemore homesick and took his first opportunity to run off and return to “auntie and uncle, as he called Mr. and Mrs. Rishling j His father came to Rensselaer and demanded that the son be turned over to him. This the - Rishlings refused to do and the matter was brought into court. - In the hearing it was evident that the boy was loved by his father and stepmother, who were anxious to have him in their home and said they wanted to educate him and rear him with his sister, who is now, sixteen years of age. Mr. Sharp claimec that he owns a farm of two hundred and fifty-twd acres and with his personal property was Worth about eighteen thousand dollars. From the home Harold could share with the sister the advantages or asplendid consolidated graded and high school. Within a mile was located a churc/i with a good bible school and preaching service each Sunday. Against this earnest appeal was that of Mr. and Mrs. Rishling, who could not give up the one who had been the object of their love for the years past. / ... __ When called upon to testify Harold asked to be left with the Rish-

lings and the judge granted his request. While Harold was giving his evidence, about fifteen of his schoolmates were In the court room and every one of them bent forward with mouths open Showing an . c Y that he might be returned to the Rishling home and continue to be their comrade and companion. Hac the judge decided against them and had he sent Harold back to Johnson ccunty he would have greatly wounded the feelings of th ; s loyal bunch of fellows and they would have despised the *pdge as badly as a loyal American despises the Kaiser. It.was*a hard task to deny the request of father and sister, but it was an impossibility to separate him from those he had learned to love dearer than a mother. The judge may have erred on the aide of law, but won on the side of love.