The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-26


Brutal MURDER or CHILD by Hgn FArHEG.--
great excitement was created on the Liberty
road, ut the house Of William Kelly near the fnrn,
Of John s. Cuttings, Esq, Sunday afternoon, in
consequence of the alleged murder Of Mary Cough
Ian, aged eleven years, by Der father Martin Cough.
Ian. Abe facts elected before the jury of inquest
weie that in consequence OF the harsh aud nm ata.
raj treatment OF the father the child left his house
on Saturday night, and sought refuge at the house
OF Mr.. Kelly, neighbor. At about one o'cio k on
Saturday night Coughlan appeared at the house,
and demanded that the child should co ne before
him. As soon as she came into his presenee lie
commenced yolley OF abuse, and finally assaulted
her with heavy hickory stick about four feet long
and one inch in diameter, with which he leat her
the head and back until che fell under the Sc
verify of the punishment. On raising her up, II
was discovered that she was speechless and uaalle
20 wax, and il was determined that she should not
be removed - her home until Sunday m)rniDg. On
Sunday morning she continued Ia the same heoless
condition, aud seemed to grow weaker and suffer
very much from exhaustion, there being an entire
relaxation Of all her limbs. The fl sts becoming
known TO Justice Pole he caused the arrest of tue
lather TO await the result OF the INJURIES he had
inflicted on bis child. The little girl, continuing
to sink under her wounds, expired at about
one clock on Sunday afternoon, just twelve hours
after the iDfi;ticn OF the punishment. There
being no coroner convenient Justice Pole held an
inquest upon the body. Dr. Baxley made post
moitcm examination, when 1t sas discovered ih At
a large quantity Of extrayasate1 blood was on The
brain, which was congested q. Besides this her back
and shoulders presented marks of the most bru al
tgsatneht, bearing long and deep bruises made by
the Instrument Of punishment Upon these facts
the jury found verdict tina. deceased came 70 her
death In consequence Of an assault with intent to
kll msde by The father, Martin Coughian, at the
house of Willi1m Kelly After the rendition Of the
verdict the wretch VAS conveyed TO this city and
committed to prison to await his trial at the next
tern of County Circuit Court. The people in The
Btigbborhood were very much ncensed against
him, and would we learn, have dealt hsrshly with
b. n had opportunity offered. He Is represented to
be morose and repulsiye man, and possessing very
little Of the ordinary feelings Of humanity. Whit
offence the child had committed against the author
ty OF the father we could not learn but there cord
be none deserving punishing unto death. The
little girl Is said by those who lived near to have
been brightly and intelligent, and very industrious
and though abe had received unkind treatment from
him who should have rather risked his own lite for
her protection, never left her home to seek refuge
smong strangers until impeed b do 80 by threat
that be would kill her. This Ia one OF the n,st
brutal and unnatural crimes it has been lot TO
record fer long time, and trust that long period
may elapse before there Ia snotber exhibition Of
sncb total sban donment "a to make father forget
that nc should protect instead Of destroy those
whom God has committed to mis- care TO love and
CHERISH baltimore american, July 70.