Bastardy Case News Excerpts, Fort Wayne, Indiana

1871

Allen County, Indiana, Bastardy cases as found in the Fort Wayne Daily Gazette, 1871

• 26 Aug 1871 An affidavit was filed before Justice Bittinger yesterday morning by Emma Lemmons stating that she is pregnant with a bastard child and that one Higgins (first name unknown) is the father of said child. The Justice issued a warrant for the arrest of said Higgins, which he placed in the hands of Constable Kelsey, who, after a protracted search, found Higgins in a Barr St. saloon enjoying himself, and treating a crowd of friends to the ardent with great liberality. Mr. Kelsey persuaded him with little trouble to accompany him to the office of Squire Bittinger where a preliminary examination was held. Miss Lemmons testified that she had been at work in a private family in this city; that she had there formed the acquaintance of said Higgins; that in a short time he induced her to go with him to the American House where they stopped on three different occasions as man and wife; and that at the present time she was pregnant with a child of said Higgins. Upon cross examination she stated that he had given her a pair of shoes and a pair of rubbers. Little or no testimony for the defense was introduced and Squire Bittinger bound him over in the sum of $100 to appear at the November term of the Allen Circuit Court. Not being able to give bail, he meandered toward the jail where he will pass the fall season.