FAMOUS QUINTUPLETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 43, 20 February 1935, Page 7

FAMOUS QUINTUPLETS.

MILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT. CHICAGO, February 14. Olivia and Elzire Dionne, the young French-Canadian parents of the famous quintuplets, became even more famous when Chicago circus promoters started a suit against them, claiming 1,000,000 dollars and coupling as defendants Dr. Dafoe and several officials of the Ontario Provincial Government. The quintuplets were still living in glass cages designed for premature babies when enterprising Chicago freak exhibitors visited the Dionne home and secured the parents' signatures to an agreement providing for their exhibition in American cities. A great wave of objection went up all over Canada, and the Government of Ontario stepped in to add its advice to the protests made by the priest who had baptised the infants. On the ground of the innocence and inexperience of the young parents, tlie Government not only ordered the breaking of the contract, if one existed, but erected a special hospital and, placed the infants in the care of Red Cross nurses. Last week, the Dionnes were invited by supposed friends to Chicago, where they were lionised, being given much front page publicity. They also made an appearance on the vaudeville stage, being introduced as "the most famous parents in the world." Then, just as they were ready for the journey home, a writ was served on them, and sheriffs detained them until the necessary bonds were provided. The action, which seeks performance of the agreement to turn the children into a sideshow feature, or the payment of 1,000,000 dollars, will be defended. Mr. C. B. Cochran, the London impresario, has invited Mr. and Mrs. Dionne to visit London for the Jubilee celebrations.