The State of Indiana}
Tippecanoe County } Petition
WILLIAM MUTER, Petitioner }
MARY J. HAYWARD here[?] to be }
adopted by the name of MINNIE MUTER } In Common Pleas Court, February Term 1873
before Hon. J.M. LaRue, Judge

Your petitioner WILLIAM MUTER would respectfully show to the court tht he is resident householder and citizen of said county, that he now has the custody and care of MARY J. HAYWARD, a girl, who will be four years old on the 20th day of March 1873. Your petitioner further shows that the mother of said girl died about two years ago and that her father is now living in Carroll County in said state, that said girl has no property, money or effect whatever known to your petitioner. Your petitioner prays that said girls name be changed from said MARY J. HAYWARD to MINNIE MUTER and that your petitioner be allowed to adopt her by said last name.

Respectfully submitted

Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 28th day of February 1873

WILEY S. VAN CAMP
Notary Public