The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-12
Extraordinary Case OF Adultery.

From the Boston Atlas Feb Ill
The following most extraordinary case was
Andrew Stone, medical practitioner in Worcester,
was brought before the court, charged with the
crime Of adultery. The allegations of the complaint
Samuel Damon, yeoman, of Holden, alleged that
on the 18th day of December, 1851, Andrew Stone,
being married man, did twice commit the crime
named, in connection with Mary Damon, spinster,
Henry Chaplin, Esq, and H. D. Stone appeared as
his counsel. Rejoice Newton, Esq appeared in
behalf Of the prosecution, Major Newton said,
opening ct this stage Of the proceedings quite un-
necessary but as there were circumstances con-
nected with this charge which made it one of un-
common criminality, he should briefly state the
facts which the prosecution 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 epileptic fits, at
the approach of certain periods, and that she
had in vain sought relief through the remedial
means usually prescribed by physicians Last fall,
she heard that Dr. Stone was skilled in the treatment
Of such complaints as she was subject to, and this
account was induced to consult the said Stone
with the Rev Mr.. Munger and Mrs. Munger, of Hol.
den she called at the Office Of DR.. Stone, on Maple
street, in this city, and made general statement
to him, concerning her health. DR.. Stone then in
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 nstru-
ment called speculum. He described the disease
of Miss Damon, and assured her that course indi-
Gated by him was the only efectuA remedy for
such complaints. and wished to know If she would
refuse to submit to the remedy If an opportunity
should be offered. She ans wered, that suffering
she did, she did not know that she should with the
conviction that the only chance for her restoration
to health depended upon compliance. She had
been an invalid for so many years, and had suffered
30 much, that she was willing to do almost anything
that might aid her recovery. The defendant then
assured 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
statement made by the counsel, and, although she
was subjected to most cruel and trying CROSS
examination of an hour and halls duration, she
bore witness to the details Of this transaction in
the clearest and most coherent manner. The wit
ress testified that she was 34a years old; had been
infrm in health since her eighteenth year. She
was recommended to place herselfunder Dr.. Stones
care, by o DIR. Small, whom she met at neigh
boris in Holden. She called at DR.. Stones on the
18th day Of December. 1851, when the occurrences
already narrated took place Dr. Stone wished her
to board with him, and assured her that he could
cure her if she would consent to this She return
ed to Holden on the evening of the 18th, and made
entries in her memorandum book, at that date, OF
OTCeSLeI,
that transIired. She went to board with DR..
Stone on the 29th December, 1851. Frequent re-
petitions 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 laudanum, on the 18th January
last. She procured the laudanum herself at DR..
Meltiah Green's. She received an emetic fire. N DR..
Stone, which probably saved her life She made
this attempt in the evening, and went to Holden
with DR.. Stones wife the next morning. She first
revesled the circumstances stated, to Mrs. Stone
at this time. She afterwards told her father, her
mother. in. law, Mrs. Rogers, Rev. Mr.. Munger,
and DR.. West
Dr. West, of Holden, being sworn, testified that
he had known Miss Damon tor nearly two years;
she called upon him for medical advice, shortly af
ter his settlement in Holden Knew that she was
subject to epieptic fits; those fits periodical and
caused by deran cement of certain functions of the
SYSTEM imme diately prior to, and succeeding these
fits, Miss Damon is inclined to be irritable and me-
lancholy; considers her as intelligent the gene
ralty Of women 10 her situation in life; fit some
what confuses her ideas, but this confusion is
fined to the duration of day or so; have assisted
some in the preliminary steps OF this prosecutions;
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; | should desig-
nate her disease 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 Dr. Stone had ruined herr she
said that she wondered how she could be such fool
as to be 80 duped-that DR.. Stone was villain;
there were symptoms that she was suffering from
the effects of laudanum, but considered her per-
fectly rational.
The counsel for the defendant offered no rebutting
evidence. DR.. Stone was ordered to recognize with
suretes in the of 81 900 for his appearance to
answer the above charges before the Court of Com
mon Pleas, to be holden at Worcester in the month
of Nav ensuing