DRIVEN FROM HOME
BY NEIGHBORS' SCORN.
MAN SOUGHT TO GIVE AWAY
UNBORN BABY.
Public Sentiment Toward C. F. Mor-
ris So Unpleasant in Nevada and
Chillicothe He Leaves -- Mis-
understood, He Says.
Practically driven from Chillicothe and Nevada, Mo., towns in which he formerly lived, C. F. Morris, the father who wanted to give away his unborn baby, has come to Kansas City. He was at the Detention home yesterday afternoon and saw Mrs. Agnes O'Dell, probation officer, with regard to putting Mrs. Morris in a hospital.
"I was misunderstood," said Morris, who last week wrote to Mrs. O'Dell that he wanted her to find a home for the child. "Doctors advised me wrongly and I did not know well enough to disregard their advice. Of course I want the child now.
"After my letter to the probation office here was published, things were made so unpleasant for me that we left Chilllicothe and went to Nevada, where we were married September 1 of last year and where we lived until four months ago. The unpleasant story was repeated in Nevada and I decided to come here."
SURELY MISUNDERSTOOD.
Morris has written a letter to Mrs. O'Dell explaining his side of the matter, but she has not yet received it. Following is a copy as Morris gave it out to the Chillicothe papers:
"Mr. Dear Friend -- I received your answer Sunday morning and will say in regard to same you do not know what sadness has come over our home. You surely misunderstood. I never wanted you to take the child before it was born. My wife has always wanted a babe and I have never censured her or hinted to her that I didn't.
"And she wouldn't give it up for the world. We have always lived such a happy life and have never done anything to harm anyone. But, Mrs. O'Dell, through your kindness, I see my mistake. If I could only have had some kind of woman like you to advise me instead of the doctors I would never have thought of such a thing. We have always made so many friends wherever we have lived. It was all my fault. Kindly forgive me and write to Chillicothe if you wish to see if our reputations isn't of the best. The only reason in the world I had for giving up the babe, Mrs. O'Dell, was that I never wanted one.
WILL WORSHIP BABE.
"But I assure you that I do want one now and I will worship this one as long as I live. You know the public is always ready to tramp a man when he is down, but I know you are not of this kind. Won't you please write my wife and encourage her? She is so worried I am afraid she will never stand it. I thank the papers very kindly for not signing any names and some day I may be able to do them a favor. Now Mrs. O'Dell, thank you once more for this letter and assuring you our baby will be welcome in our home. I beg to remain your best friend, asking you to forgive me and if you can help me in any way. Your kindness will never be forgotten.
"P. S. -- We have received a dozen letters today from people who wanted to adopt our baby for a money consideration. I did not answer any of these letters. If I had I would have said to each of the parties, 'No, our child is not for sale.' It will be the happiness of our lives now."
