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father of the boys, not wanting Hank Pollard to have them applied to Capt. Geddes at this place for assistance and by his advice and permission they were apprenticed to Mr Moore. A cop of which proceedings I herewith enclose. Hank Pollard made no further attempt to molest the children until since their father died, which occurred in December last. They boys are well treated and not only comfortably but very decently clothed. 

I examined the boys apart from Mr Moore and both of them agree in stating that they are well treated. They both manifest a willingness to live with their mother but do not want Hank Pollard to have control of them or to live with them. Mr Moore is taking some trouble to have them educated. The older one can spell and read very well for the length of time he has been taught the other one can spell and read a little.

Taking into consideration the treatment of the children, the character of the Mother, and looking beyond the interest of both Mr Moore and the Mother and regarding the interest of the children