Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-08-22
From the New York Evening Post.I
THE BURDELL MURDER.
The Fin Act IN The Tragedv-Mrs, Cunn;no.
ham Attempting TO Palm OFF, Child.
She is Arrested,

pregnant for months, was safely delivered of
child this morning, who she would claim az bei
10 tne burdell estate, created a good deal O
excitement throughout the city. which was in,
creased by the announcement that Mrs. Cnn
hinghan was under arrest, for what cause wa,
unknown.
Inc following statement of the facts in thu
case' which were procured at the District
attorneys office this morning, and elsewhere
Oy our reporters, will shed some light upon The
mystery, and disclose the history of a crime al.
most without parallel in this city.
Dr. Uhi has been in attendance, with Dr
Cutler, OF Brooklyn, upon Mrs. Cunningham
Dr. Uhl had been led to believe that Mrs.. q
was soon to bear a child. She had presented
all the external appearances of one about to he
a mother-as she expressed it, "growino larger
and larger every week" But DR.. Uhl remarked
about a month ago that as vet there was no
positive evidence of pregnancy, and told her
that under the circumstances he thought il his
duty to make a medical examination Mrs
cunningham appeared very reluctant, and put
the matter off from time to time. FINALLY she
told him plainly that she was not pregnant at all:
mat she had been playing a game, and be OR.
UhD must help her out with it.
DR.. Uhl, previously to this time. had coni>
dence in the lady, but this bold proposition
TOOK Nun completely aback. He Immediately
consulted counsel, and, upon legal advice
stated the whole matter to District Attorney
Hall. Mr.. Hall told him it was his duty to
carry out the matter in order TO develop a great
crime, and supply the proof for the criminals
conviction DR.. UhI finally consented.
lie told Mrs. Cunningham that he was ac-
qualnted with a California widow, who was. he
feared, about to be confined, and it would be
necessary to dispose of the child altogether, as
the lady was going OF to join her husband in
California.
Mrs. Cunningham was delighted. 1t was
arranged that neither party was to know any,
thing Of the other. The widow" was to be
confined at a house in Elm street, and the
infant to be taken thence to No. 81 Bond
street.
Mr.. Hall then impaired the matter to DR..
De la M~Ontagnie, and engaged him to assist in
the counterpart, whenever the critical time
should arrive. Yesterday morning DR.. De la
Montagnie went to Bellows Hospital, and with
the consent of Gov. Daily, selected a babe of
Elizabeth Anderson, a beautiful little blue
eyed girl, born on Saturday last. The mother
kissed her baby, and consented to part with ii
on condition that it should be well taken care
of and returned within twenty.four hours.
DR.. Uhl visited Mrs Cunningham by ap,
pointment at haIf-past three o'clock in the
afternoon, and told her he was prepared to
carry out the thing at once; that the California
widow was about to be confined at No. 100
Elm street, and she must be prepared to re.
celve the little. stranger with proper ceremonies.
Then she said she would be confined that
night, if he would produce the child by nine
O'Clock. He was TO come over and let her
know at q quarter before nine o'clock, and she
would send q woman to bring the child in q
basket.
No time was to be lost. Mr.. Hall hired a
room of q respectable Iager-bier seller at No.
1870 Elm street, and Immediately sent down
suitable furniture from his own house, incIud~
ing the basket for the baby. DR.. Uhl took
possession of the premises, and had hardly got
possession when Mrs. c. was seen passing the
and cycling it closely.
Policemen were now judiciously posted, and
everything Yves arranged. DR.. Montagnie inn
in getting what he wanted, as well
as the assistance Of an intelligent Irish girl,
Mary Regain, who was to act as nurse
o the fictitious widow. A physician was also
Engaged to lie in bed with a night>cap on, and
10 the groaning for the "widow." This party
arrived at 100 Elm street just in season.
Officer VIM. B. Walsh, of the Court of Ses<
ions, was posted in the street opposite, and
inspectors Speight and bikes in Bond street
The physician who was to personate the
widow" assisted DR.. M%ontagnie in certain
'perations necessary TO give the child the ap.
1earance of a-new>born babe, and then went to
ed. Some private marks were also made on
child's head with nitrate of silver. A
Messenger was sent TO 81 Bond street.
Shortly after Capt. Speight saw Mrs. Cum
ingham leave her house; followed her into a
'ourth avenue car, where she was recognized
y the conductor and some passengers, who
poke to Capt. Speight about her. She was
in a quasi nuns dress. The Captain
her into Elm street, until she disap-
cared into the lager-bier saloon. :
He then returned TO his post. In a few mo-
rents Dr.. Uhl came out and asked the officers !
pposite whether they had seen the woman :
ave the house. She had passed out SO :
that they had failed to perceive her. :
The officers next repaired to No. 81 Bond I
rect, where they learned that Mrs. Cunning
lmshad gone cut, but had not yet returned, t
ID that a man with a white hat had gone 10. 8
This was Dr. Cutler, of Brooklyn, who was s
Mrs. G. in good faith. il
DR.. Montagnie at once went to the corner t
the Bowery and Bond street, where he met
RS. Cunningham, in the nuns dress, with a f
rge basket in her hands, in which he had
aced the babe. She went into her house.
Ii had been arranged between her and DIR.
hl that she should send in urgent haste to ,
house. Accordingly he had appeared and ,
snt. =
He soon came out and walked down the I
'eet. The officers then went up, by the Dis
ct Attorneys directions, rung the bell and
farad Yhnrr- runnn - L. Anrn runnn. "a