The examination will be had before United…

chunk 1051 · paragraph 1570

charge took them to hotels, Childress register- ing at the Tremont house and Mrs. Smart at the Broadway. The bonds in the case were set at $1,000, and were secured yesterday by Chil- dress. The examination will be had before United States Commissioner H. W. Lucas tomorrow. An Enterprise reporter interviewed Mr. Childress, who was rather non-committal, claim- ing that all the facts in the case would be pro- duced at the examination. He expressed surprise that such a charge should have been preferred against him, claiming that he had only taken a friendly interest in Mrs. Smart, and was assist- ing her to reach friends in California. Mrs. Maggie Smart is but 22 years of age, and the mother of two little girls, whilst Chil- dress is 60 years of age, and has children grown. He marveled at the charge that any wrong was contemplated, and remarked to our reporter, “What would an old man like me want with a young woman like Mrs. Smart?” It was a conundrum, and the Enterprise young man gave it up, not even venturing upon a guess that he might wish to be a father to the little children by adoption. Mr. Childress had lately disposed of his ( 98 ) property on the Gila to Messrs. Johnson & Co- nant, and was leaving New Mexico for good, to seek a home in Arizona, or possibly, in Old Mexico.