Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-06-29
Precociou, DeprnYiIx,

The following singular instance OF juvenile depravity
has Just been brought to light in Skowhegan Somerse,
Co Maine IL Is not the inst instance in which creduty
has done injustice to the innocent oy believing IN. ar
tales OF mesmeric imposors:
DR.. MaTden, OF $, had for the last ten mopths lad
IN his office, by the name OF Edwin Bray, aged about
years b. soon won the Doctors regard by his obiRinR
disposition, and apparent good conduct; recent
lopments have shown this lad 10 be accomplished vii
lain. Dr. VI. mssrneriser and young BRAY soon seen,
ed good eairyoyant subject His success was wonder
iui lie could, in that state, minute articles in the
street. At one time he informed DR.. NJ that there was
watch key and halt dollar piece in the street in ana,p
Village, and going there the day readily found
them Al another time he stated that there was a wallet
under the sidewalk IN Wateryilc, with five dollar bill
IN H. and which he afterwards, going to Wateryil.
found
On the 3lst ult, tSunday) after meeting the boy went
home' aud the doctor returned lew moments after and
found, that during his absence house had been ron
bed OF n halt eagle and pair OF footings Search was
made Tor the thief but nothing discovered. In the even
ing Edwin was Gsmered, and being asked for the
thief, replied that Henry Hooper, who resides half mile
from the Doctors house, the person who committed
The theft and that the money then peIs pocket
This lad, Hooper had before been accused by Edwin
while IN the mesmerc state, OF obbing Edward McIel
lans ewelry stre-lrces having been stolen from that
store several times within the last month or two Nc
Lean had suspected Bray but the Doctor would not
to hrs suspicious However, Dr. Marden now called ON
Mcclellan, and with officer proceeded az 10 O'Clock on
that Sunday night to examine Hoopers premises for the
stolen DDS. Every effort made for discovery with
no success. Young Hooper arrested and put under
keepers at the tavern.
IN the mNrnlng, another experiment made with
Bray, and he stated that the piece OF had rolled
OF Hoope pocket under the bed and covered
by lint and and thus escaped the search of the
Vious evening. Another search was commenced Pro
viousy, however, the Oongs discovered buried in
Dr. Ms garden, and suspicious began attach to BRAY
On this second search nothing discovered throw
suspicion upon Hooper, Till after all had left tie house
when the boy told Dr. VI. that he something in one
Of the cracks in the House. They accordingly again
paired to the and there PLAIN sight was the lost
piece OF money Upon this testimony Hooper was arraiRn
am os
District Court for tra aud for OF bail was committed
10 Jail.
On the next day, some circumstances looking fayora-
BILE 10 Hooper, t having been proved that he was in bed
when the robbery was committed Sunday) he was lid
Grated on mis- own recognizanee. He Immediately charged
Bray with committing the theft, and b. was arrested and
bound for trial DR.. Marden whose faith in him was
still uashaken-became his bondsman.
On Thursday evening subsequent, Bray, was put into
nesmeTic state ana IN presence OF Mr.. Mcclellan again
stated that Hooper had stolen the articles bis store
that part of them had been thrown OF the window
he could find them So off they started again at the ns
CATION OF this arch imposior Ga the way he fell down
pretended TO be faint and and finally said he was
50 unwe he could the place that Rh lie was
taken back and put to bed. Marden and Mcclellan then
went TO the spot where the boy fallen and found
raj OF the lost articles The doctor then for the fret time
began To suspect him. He for Justice the hoy " as
sailed and many efforts made bring him TO confession
From one o'clock To Daylight he was stubborn Then he
knocked under, and confessed the whole. He aoknoyI
edged that he stole the Jewery and the gold piece and
ootngs-and that he deposited the money in Hooper's
house, while they searching lie confessed that
no time had be been useep but he had fegned in order
to deceive the Doctor and that when he pretended 10 find
the articles on the road he had them in his possession and
dropped them time. After he had confessed bis
gm he attempted TO wind up his viany by cutting his
throat, but was prevented by Mr. Mcclellan, who caught
his hand while IN the act. Hs succeeded IN making
slight wound. On Friday, he again arrsiRned, and
committed 10 prison TO await his Trial At the July Of
the District Court.
The cause Of NEsMERIsN and cLAiRvoYANcE must have
received ~ the village Of Skowhegan from which
u will not TecoVeriOr sometime TO come