The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-16

From the PhuadelpbiA Bulletin, Feb. IA
case was heard before Judges Thompson and Allison
parallel in the annals Of orusty We had supposed that
kim from tie bsrbarous feelings Pagan era; bat We
have discovered that there tt exceptions this
cy-fsw it Is to b hopsd-but sunolsntly numerous to
nature can BE- elevated to Its proper dignity. The
We are about to relate proves that the feel
ings DO lost stAed and that cold and calculating
cruelty may uinrp their place.
From tho testimony before the court, appeared that
G. Hammer AMI wife were the parents OF sprightly
little boy Of about six years OF age named Charles
Hammer He was born out Of wsdo II and 1t the age OF
in the From Institution he vas taken by
family In Berks county total strangers to the chd and
kept until last The parents Of the little boy
married short ,ae after his BIRTH but made no At
tempt TO reclaim their Offspring until few weeks ago,
when they ostsined him from the family who had thus
far nurursd and supported him
As seon ~ the PARE nts obtained his custody, syss.
mAtic course 81 tor ure was commenced, whsh makes
every feeg humanity shudder within our nature BE
starved to such degree although parents were
In easy circumstances that he pickyd up the crumbs Of
bread and ths seeds from pies that fell upon the floor
while the girls who worked for Mrs. Hammer we eating
their dinners He would eat the hard found
yard and when spoken to about it. would reply that he
whipped numerically that black stripes As thick Is
wonAn's fore finger were all over his body"
dren he was taken into . she'd stripped naked In the
codet OF the and soused with sold water
from hydHnt until he almost psrishing, and then
whipped severely and put behind the stove wrap
sheet for hours His mother struck him the head
with lap board with such force to raise lump
large walru ut His father took him ont OF bed while
asleep and logged him severely with SHOE tho mother
told cf the Witnesses for i've minutes The hlds
cries heard by the witnssses and his artlsss sp
psals, 'Oh father con't whip any more AID Will
be good boy" we're totally disIegaraed
HIS mother would tAte him BY the head, spin him
around like top until no became giddy then perfait
him to fall with his head against the wall and strike him
first side Of the face and then tho Other Tor
the ssvsrest We tner but hnly clad and PEELED him
to stay In the yard for An hour and half at time,
I'll he became Id As to be unaos to walk. She would
threaten to bea him 10 death for calling mother ADD
would frt quently knock him down.
Bat the greatest torture anc that which aroused the
indignant feelings Of the young ladies who worked for
Mrs. Hammer, the of That mother hot IRONS
with which Ghe scared and burnt thc eBh Of her child
According to the Testimony, Mira. HAmms, picked up
hot fat iron, and said, come hsre. Johnny, till iron
ont" The child replied, Oh no, mother, 1t win burn
me-" she then placed the iron fra. against cheek
down his legs, and concluded by opening his pAntons
and holding against his naked ssh until burst tbs
Of their possession by good Samaritan named Mary Ann
La ~is woman Of ntds age, who had heard the pa
rents cruelty and took measures to relieve the child from
Mrs. Lewis stated the court that after she heard Of
the ehds fortunes che could not eep at night and felt
hunted the young ladies' who work cd for Mrs. Ham
mef They did rot wish to testify against Mr. and Mrs.
and ono Of them said che would be out Of work Mrs.
Lewis replied, "Nsver fear God is mercifu God ad
he viii provide for your wants" The young ladies' At
their eyes.
VIM Doksrson for Mr.. and Mrs Hammer after the
testimony heard remarked to this Court that he had
just told his clients tt ct they not at to have the
Of child and he would not Ask that tbs child should
b. returned TO them He had not supposed that such
brutal soIduot could exist In community. His own
!s.hngs had bsen greatly shocked he would ask that
the grandfather, wko was wiIrg to taks the child,
should have the care OF him TO brir him up
Jnoge Thomp'on said that 1t sppsafcd that the child
nsa b en- .bsndonsd By its parents q very tendon age
This diverted them Of al legal right to tho chds
dy The grandfather had shown any feeling for the
child and had lef. him entirely to this charity OF
strapgers Had 1t mot been fer the care
OF frcvidtnce who always Raises kind hearted
person like Mira Lewis in emergencies Lire the present.
the fate OF the child would have hesn hopeless nGesd
It may Be Is special providence. The details Of
the ctse are OF the most shocking character and this
Court Award the child to Mrs. Lewis his generous pro
sctor, II cha will take the care Of him
Mrs Lewis willing took upon he self the care OF rails
hg the child and every present felt that he could
NOT be entrusted to more worthy hants
The embers Of the bar present immediately took up
subscription among themselves WHOM they de osted In
the little boys jacket pocket and he left the court room
With biz toter mother, happy In his found friend
Mrs. Lewis had the child before last Saturday
and was an entire stranger to the parents The boy an
intelligent little fellow, and Is In fair way 70 10.
como useful man