The Sun.
London, England, 1827-03-15 00:00:00

CRUEL TREATMENT OF A STEP-MOTHER

TO HER CHILD.

For the last week, the greatest sensation has been produced in
the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in consequence of John
Armstrong, and his wife Mary, having been examined two or
three times before the Mayor, at the Town Court, on a charge of
cruelty towards their child, a little boy, about six rare of age.
Oa Monday morning, their final examination took place before
the Right Worshipful the Mayor, and two other Magistrates. The
facts of the case are these :

A few days ago, an anonymous letter was received by the
Mayor, stating that the child of Armstrong, who was born illegi-
timate, prior to his marriage with his present wife, the writer had
reason to believe had been secretly disposed of in some way or other
by its parents, or that it was confined without food in some part
of the house, and requesting his Worship's immediate interference
in the matter. Accordingly Forsyth, the officer, and the overseer,
proceeded to Armstrong's house in the morning, to make inquiries
Forsyth, on seeing Mrs. Armstrong, inquired if her husband was
at home ? She seemed much alarmed, and said he was not, and it
was quite uncertain when be would return. The officer then said,
" Pray, Mrs. Armstrong, have you not a child of yoUr'a, that is
very ill ?" She said she had. He then asked to see it. She
answered, he could not see it ,then, for it had the itch. lie
insisted on seeing it, and stated that he had been sent by the
Mayor for that purpose. She then, after much hesitation,
desired the officer and the overseer to follow her ; she then led
them into an apartment on the ground floor, which is used as a
cellar to keep the beer and spirits in. On entering this place, it
was so extremely damp and dark, that the officer desired a canal
might be brought, and he then explored all about.
The place was paved with stone, and was wretchedly damp and
cold, as there were five squares of glass out of the window, and no
appearance of there ever being any fire kept, as there was no fire-
place. One portion of the apartment was railed off as a place for
the beer, and another formerly used for spirits ; but it was now the
wretched habitation of the poor child. Forsyth approached this
place with the candle in his hand, it was so extremely dark, al-
though it was forenoon, followed by Mr. Arundel), when they
were horror-struck at beholding the object of their search coiled*?
on a scanty supply of straw, a sort of manger not an inch Wok,
indeed so thin, that he could see the stones through it. The
smell that proceeded from the unfortunate being was most Offen-
sive, and he seemed to be in a dying state. The only clothing the
poor creature had on was a dirty ragged shirt, and a filthy night-
cap, and a piece of rug was the only thing in the shape of cover-
ing that was afforded to keep him from the inclemency of the wea-
ther. At some distance from the poor boy was a temporary bed-
stead, some pieces of plank, supported on tressels, which Dar.
Armstrong said was intended for the child to sleep on when it was
clean. Forsyth said, " Why, good God, this is a wretched plea!
for a human being to be kept in : my dog has abetter habitation.
He then asked her how long it had been kept in that state? She
answered, for about fire days and nights. Forsyth Said he should
not be there five minutes longer ; and instantly eonveyea the poor
creature before the Mayor, at the Town-hall. On his Worship
seeing the state it was in, he ordered something nourishing to be
given it directly, as be complained of hunger, not having touched
food for two days. Mrs. Forsyth, the Officer's wife, gave it some
warm soup, which it seized and devoured most voraciously. It
was afterwards carried to the poor-house, where it was cleansed,
and examined by Dr. Tulloch. There was a cut en its head, and
the body covered with contusions and discolourations, which the
medical gentleman ascribed to violence. The child now remains
in the work-house, where it is receiving every kindnesss from the
parish officers.
There beirlag no evidence against Armstrong, be was discharged,
but his wife was ordered to find securities to answer the charge at
the Sessions, and the witnesses were bound over to prosecute...*
Mrs. Armstrong is still in prison.