Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1852-02-09
Police Court.
Before Justice Green.
SATURDAY Feb. Z


were substantially as folows:-
Samuel Damon, yeoman Of Holden, alleged that
on the 18th day of December, 1851, Andrew Stone,
being married man, ud twice commit the crime
named, in connection with Mary Damon, spinster,
OF Holden, the daughter of the plaintiff.
DIR Stone pleaded not guilty to the charge, and
Henry Chaplin, Esq. and H. D. Stone, appeared as
his counsel. Rejoice Newton, ESQ, appeared in
behalf of the prosecution. Major Newton, said that
in any ordinary cases he should consider any opening
at this stage Of the proceedings quite unnecessary
but as there were circumstances connected with this
charge, which made it one of uncommon crimnality,
he should briefly state the facts which the prosecu-
ton intended to prove He said it would be shown
in evidence, that Miss Damon had been in feeble
health for many years-that she had been subject to
epeptic fits, at the approach of certain periods and
that she had in vain sought relief through the reme
dial means usually prescribed by physicians. Last
fall she heard that DR.. Stone was skilled in the
treatment of such complaints she was subject TO,
and this account induced to consult the said
Stone. On the 18th day of December last, in COM
pany with the Rev. Mr.. Munger, and Mrs. Munger,
of Holden she called at the office of Dr. Stone, on
Maple Street, in this city, and made general state
ment to him, concerning her health. DR.. Stone then
informed her that there was a necessity for private
examination. He led her up stairs to private
room, where, in the capacity of physician, he did
make an examination of her person. with an instru-
ment called specuum. He described the disease
of Miss Damon, and assured her that course ind-
Gated by him, the only electua remedy for such
complaints, and wished TO know if she would refuse
10 submit TO the remedy, if an opportunity should be
offered. She answ cred, that suffering she did,
she did not know that she should, with the convic-
ton that the only chance for her restoration to health
depended upon compliance. She had been an
invalid for many years, and had suffered much,
that she willing TO do almost anything that
might aid her recovery. The defendant then
sured her as medical man that it was her duty,
and offered, in his professional capacity, to admins.
Ter the remedy. Under these inducements, and in
those circumstances, the patient yielded, and the
crime was committed.
Mary Damon, being sworn, corroborated the state
ment made by the counsel, and, although she was
subjected to a most cruel and trying cross-examina-
ton of an hour and haf's duration, she bDre
witness the details of this transaction in the clear
est and most coherent manner.
q
old; had been infrm in health since her eighteenth
year. She was recommended to place herself under
DIR. Stones care, by DR.. Small, whom she met at
a neighbours in Holden. She called at Dr. Stones
the 18th day of December, 1851, when the occur
rences already narrated took place. DR.. Stone
wished her to board with him, and assured her he
could cure her il she would consent to this. She
returned to Holden the evening Of the 18th, and
made entries in her memorandum book, at that date
of her visit to Worcester, and of the circumstances
that TRANSFERRED She went to boad W. tn Dr. Stone
on the 29th of December, 1851. Frequent repeti-
tons of the crime took place while there, and she
had two fits While at his house,
Distressed at the thoughts Of her disgrace, she
attempted to commit suicide by audanum, on the
18th of January last She procured the laudanum
herself at DR.. Meltiah GREEN'S. She received an
emetic from DIR. Stone, which probably saved her
life. She made this attempt in the evening, and
went to Holden with DR.. Stones wife the next NOR
nlng. She first revealed the circumstances stated,
to Mrs. Stone at this time She afterwards told her
father, her mothern-aw, Mrs. Rogers, Rev. Mr..
Munger, and Dr. West
Dr. West, of Holden being sworn, testified that
he had known Miss Damon for nearly two years.
She called upon him for medical advice, shortly after
his settlement in Holden. Knew that she was sub
ject to epileptc fits Those fits are periodical, and
caused by arrangement Of certain functions of the
system. Immediately prior to, and succeeding those
hts, Miss Damon is inclined TO be irritable and mel
ancholy. Considers her as intelligent as the gener-
atty of in her situation in life. A fit some
what conuses her ideas but this confusion confined
to the duration Of a day SO. Have assisted some
in the preliminary steps of this prosecution. Was
influenced by personal motive, but by friendship
for the family, and the desire, common to men, that
justice should be done. Do not know that Miss
Damon is insane. She is not what she would have
been if in good health. l should designate her dis
ease as arrangement Of the reproductive organs
She told me when / saw her after her return from
Worcester, that she was ruined girl, ruined soul
and body, and that DIR. Stone had ruined her. She
said that she wondered how she could be such fool
to be duped, tina. DR.. Stone was a villain.
There were symptoms that she was suffering from
the effects of laudanum, but / considered her per-
fecily rational.
The counsel for the defendant offered no rebuttinp
evidence. DIR. Stone was ordered to recognize with
sureies in the sum of $1,000, for his appearance TO
answer the above charges before the Court of Com
mon Pleas to be holden at Worcester, in the month
of May ensuing.
LANGLEY's PAEoRAMA.-This splendid piece
of art has been on exhibition at Horticultural Hall
during the past week, and is spoken of in the high
est terms of praise, by all who have it. 1t is
intended to represent scenes in ancient history from