Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-02-27
5000
Sl24,357
trial of the Slave. Pauline.


few DAYS since, we made mention of some horrid
cruelties perpetrated at New Orleans by black
woman named Pauline, upon a white married woman.
Mrs. Rappeneck,) to whose husband Pauline had
become paramour. She was arrested and brought
to trial before court of six freeholders. Her crime
was clearly proved by the testimony of Mrs. Rappe-
neck and slave, named Dinah, who had been en-
ployed in the house at washing Pauline's abuse of
Mrs. Rappeneck and of the eldest child Constance,
was cruel in the extreme. Hoppeared that Rappeneck
had represented the wife be insane and had himself
beaten her more than once, when she complained of
his intercourse with Pauline.
The testimony went to show that the slave Pauline
purchased by Peter Rappeneck, about two years
since from Mr.. Francois Rubeau, who planta-
ton short distance below Natchitoches this State
on which Rappcneck had been for years over
seer. Some two months since, Rappeneck removed
10 this city, and rented one half Of double dwelling
house. No. 3D. Bayou Road, from Mr. Isenhart who
occupied the other half About weeks since Rap
peneck, who had business to transact in ST. Louis,
went up the river, leaving his wife, whom he had
represented to Isenhar and his daughter be crazy
and his children, together with upwards of SEQ in
money, in charge of Pauline who was proven to be
his paramount and at present claims to be pregnant by
him.
Immediately after Rappeneck's departure, Pauline
took possession of her mistress apartments and re-
moved her and the three children, aged eight four
and two years, to back cabinet, which she had
previously occupied. Mrs. Rappeneck, who had suf-
GENTLY recovered to appear in Court testified that
since her husbands absence, she had been subjected
to the most cruel and barbarous treatment from her
slave, who had beaten her at times with or
leather strap and with her fist and had obtained such
mastery her that she afraid if she disclosed
any her suferings that she would take her life
She also testified that she had knowledge of her
husbands intimacy with Pauline; which had caused
much ill-feeling between them, and had resulted
several OCCASIONS In her being struck by her husband
Mrs r. also testified to the cruel manner in which
her children had been beaten by Pauline.
The testimony of Mrs. r. corroborated by
slave named Dinah, who on or about Christmas, had
been employed by Pauline work by the day in
washing clothes She stated that on the second day
after she had been employed, upon Paunes returning
from market, and discovering that biscuit miss
ing from the breakfast table, she charged the taking
of it upon Constance, tie eldest child, who, upon
denying the theft dreadfuy beaten with leather
strap by Pauline, who also tied the chd's clothes
over her head and caused her TO remain for time
in kneeling position, with her knees resting upon
the rough edges of small pieces of brick, which she
had broken up for the occasion In few days after
she heard Pauline abusing some in the cabinet
upon ner IraullneI l1a,ng the house. she entered
the and for the first time discovered that there
person confined there. She raised the musouito
bar and inquired if she could render Mrs R. any
Mrs. K. fearing TO disclose her situaton,) she paid
no further attention to it. On Saturday. the 18th u
she again heard Pauline In the cabinet cursing her
mistress, calling her opprobrious names, and telling
her If she did not get up and go to work, she would
whip her to DEATH Pauline at the time dragging
her mistress by the hair out of bed upon the floor and
beating her in the face with her fist Upon her
(Dinah) demonstrating with Pauline, she attempted
to close the door of the cabinet upon her. and forced
the child, Constance to hand her cane, with which
she beat Mrs. r. In most shocking and cruel manner
The witness on the same day informed gentleman
for whom she doing some washing, of what had
occurred, who the next day addressed an anony-
nous letter to the Mayor, which led to the arrest of
Pauline, and the release of Mrs. R. and her children
from their horrid situation. The testimony of the
Mayor and DR.. Berriaud, in regard the condition
of the sufferers, was merely confirmation Of the
above statements.
No testimony for the defence was offered, and the
six freeholders rendered judgment as follows
I'VE the undersigned, freeholders, forming the
special tribunal, which convoked and sworn to
try the slave Pauline, belonging to Peter Rappeneck,
accused of striking her mistress 10 cause the
shedding of blood, do unanimously find her guilty.
and agree to sentence and do hereby sentence the
said slave Pauline, belonging to Peter Rappeneck,
to death, and do hereby unanimously fix and appoint
the 2lst day of February, 1915 between the hours O
10 A. M. and P. NJ MS the time when the said SEN
tence of death shall be carried into effect the place
of execution to be opposite the parish prison. And
inasmuch given to understand that the said
Pauline is pregnant and this sentence could not
be carried into execution while she is in that sua
tion we, in such do further unanimously order
that said sentence of death shall be executed at the
hour and place, the 2Sth day of March, lS46"
A committee of physicians appointed to examine
and report the condition of the slave have declared
her to be ecee and the execution WILL consequently
be postponed one year.