Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 August 1901 — A HABEAS CORPUS CASE. [ARTICLE]

A HABEAS CORPUS CASE.

Frank Hitchcock Taken from Grandfather and Given to Aunt. A case that attracted considerable interest last week was that of Mrs. Minnie Alvey vs. Fifz W. Bedford. It was a habeas corpus case. Mrs. Alvey brought suit before Judge Thompson for the possession of her sister’s, Mrs Lizzie Hitchcock’s, little boy Frank. Mrs. Hitchcock died a few days ago and her little son, who was born at the home of his grandfather, and had always made his home with his mother there, remained in the possession of Mr. Bedford, who had become greatly attached to him and refused to give him up. Judge Thompson gave the child to Mrs. Alvey until the September term of court. She was required to give a bond in the sum of S3OO that she would produce the child at that time. Mr. Bedford has taken out letters of guardianship and is now and was at the time of the trial the guardian of the boy, who was left some property by the death of his father and mother. Judge Thompson acknowledged he had no jurisdiction in the case during vacation, but rendered his decision as above, and stated that If he was wrong a higher court could set the decision aside. His course in the matter has aroused much adverse criticism. Mrs. Alvey left with the child for St. Johns, Ky., Saturday.