Case Summary

Louisa Celestine (previously Louisa George) filed for a writ of habeas corpus for her five-year old daughter, Annie George, from the unlawful custody of George and Mary Sidwell. Louisa had Annie with her previous husband, John George. When John died, his probate case No. 4302 granted custody of Annie to the Sidwells on April 11, 1902. The probate case was investigated by esquire L. J. Turner, who declared that Louisa had abandoned Annie. Louisa’s writ was accepted by Judge Griffin and the petition was on May 19, 1902. Louisa claimed to be of the right and nature entitled to the care, custody, control and comforting presence for Annie. She also claimed to be married and living with Josie Celestine in Snohomish county, where they have abundant means and the ability to provide for and educate Annie. In the response, the Sidwells contend that they had no knowledge of Louisa’s marriage or living conditions, and thus deny her fitness. In the case, Louisa provides documentation of her marriage with Josie. The marriage had been officiated by P. L. Rouk and endorsed on September 2, 1899. Judge Griffin ruled in favor of Louisa on July 19, 1902. He decided that although it is true the Sidwells were properly taking care of Annie, that Louisa proved she could also provide for Annie, and that the Sidwells had no evidence of Louisa abandoning Annie.

Case Information

Petition type(s)

• Interpersonal

Petition subtype(s)

• Child custody

Outcome

Writ allowed

Fate of bound party

New custody arrangement reached

Case Citation

King County Government, Judicial Records, Superior Court, Case No.35610

Source material(s)

Case File

Length of case file

Between 31 and 40 pages

Repository(s)

• Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch (Bellevue, Washington)

State

• Washington

Point(s) of law cited

Probate case no. 4302

People

• Celestine , Louisa (George) (petitioner)
• Celestine, Josie (petitioner)
• George, Annie (Sidwell) (bound party)
• Sidwell, George (respondent)
• Sidwell, George (holding party)
• Sidwell, Mary (respondent)
• Sidwell, Mary (holding party)
• Griffin, Arthur E. (judge)
• King, S. D. (petitioner attorney)
• Osborn, Richard (respondent attorney)

• Additional parties

  Koepfli, C. A. (Clerk); Cudihee, Edward (Sheriff)

  Tallman, Boyd J. (Judge); George, John (Deceased father of Annie, husband of Louisa)

  Turner, L. J. (Probate attorney for John George, granted custody of Annie to the Sidwell family)

  Quilter, James M. (Deputy); Lewis, Frank (Notary); Collins, U. L. (Marriage license clerk); Rouk, P. L. (Catholic priest, marriage officiator); Behrens , Adolph (Notary)

  Adamson, G. W. (Deputy); Buchanan, Charles M. (Witness)

  Schneider, Fred (Deputy)