Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-02-24
Seduction IN PhiladeIphia.-I)cli berate Muir.
der Of the Seducer by the brother Of the
Seduced..Creat Excitement.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. l2-P. NJ,

PHILADELPHIA, rem lZ-t. NJ
In one Of my regular letters few days since, !
briefly alluded to the alleged seduction, or rather ab.
duction as i, was then called-of young lady resi-
ding in Southwark, and stated at the time, that
something serious was likely to grow out of the af-
fair. That prediction has been most sadly realized,
and will now state, rs briefly and truly as possible
all the circumstances connected with the dreadful
affair." which has thrown our whole community into
state Of the greatest excitement
On Tuesday and Wednesday last considerable
talk was produced by the sudden disappearance Of
young and handsome girl, aged about l6, named
Sarah Mercer, the daughter of Thomas Mercer, 80
Queen street, one Of the most wealthy and respeca
BILE inhabitants of Southwark. A young man Of this
city, named Hutchinson Heberton, was arrested on
suspicion Of being concerned in her abduction aud
taken before Alderman Mitchell. at the instance of
the girls brother who threatened him then with in.
slant death if he refused, but discharged in con-
sequence Of the girls return to her parents on
Wednesday evening. 1t was ascertained, however,
tina, Heberton had seduced the Young girl and that
she had gone to house Of i'll fame in the neghbor-
hood Of Pine and Twelfth streets, kept by Louis
ONeil, where he had been in the habit of meeting
her.
Miss Mercer's absence, 40 we'll as her return, &C.
cording 10 all statements was voluntary. The an
guish of the family NJ the knowledge of The dshonor
tina. had fallen upon the daughter no tongue can tell
nor pen describe. To wipe GU, the stain so far a.
was possible so to do, marriage proposed to ths
sedueer' Thls was declined on his pnr', and Il.
was also declined. The infuriate brother stung al
most TO madness determined no, to be banked in
his revenge lie watched the movements of Heber
ton, and having ascerlancd that he was TO leave III.
city on Friday afternoon or evening in carriage, BY
way Of Camden, he managed 10 discover the sam,
in the street, when he employed one of Vanseiver'
vehicles driven by young man, TO whom MERGE
gave instructions, pointing out the carriage, 10 los
sight Of ii condition. bu, keep close 10 it, ant
wherever i! went TO follow after il.
In nus, carnage m company with Heherton wa
seated his LEGAL friend and adviser Jas C. Vandyke
aNHr shAA II.
avowed ohlec; Of preventing meeting with the mis-
guided and excited Mercer. After having drlvel
through several streets the carriage entered the fer
rv.boat John Fitch, then lying at Market-st. wharf
Mercer followed inter, leaped from his vehicle un
observed, and concealed himself behind box OF
hoard the boai armed with one Of Colts six barrels
pistols. Shortly after the carriage was driven o.
hoard with the blinds drawn up, and when within
few yards, of the Jersey shore Mr.. Vandyke got ou
of the same walked around, it is presumed, TO ~
that oil was safe when Mercer approached the cal
rlage and fred four balls into in quick succession
One q them proved fatal taking .iiss. under The ie
was conveyed to Cakes tavern in Camden, where
. expired in few minutes.
0 The murderer wac Immediately arrested, and upo
retained their charge. His conduc, during the :,
nnlnder OF the evening 10 represented having bee
wild and frantic, evidently laboring under The mo-
= intense excitement
Il Thus has the imprudent conduct of once fon
y and doatlng daughter hurled into misery the pen,
8 and happnes. of aged and venerable parents! Whe
u Mss Sarah Mercer entered her parents residenc
afier leaving the abode Of lfnny in Pine Street. u
nvowed her determination not To "reminiscences,
= her attachment for the deceasei-and il was only
fbrce that she was compelled II is also said In
= her brother had sworn that she. too who had di
Rraeed her family should fall the instant he laid ey
on hers hut fortunately he was not permitted TO eta
n his hands with double murder.
!. The psrties in the above lamsntable drama are
'hs most wealthy and respectable character OF Il