Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-08-08


The General report that Mrs. Cunningham, |
whom everybody has supposed to have been
pregnant for months, was safely delivered Of
q child this morning, who would claim as
heir TO the Burdell estate, created good
deal Of excitement throughout tho city, which
was increased by the announcement that Mrs.
Cunningham was under arrest for what cause
was not known.
The following statement of the facts in .he
case, which was procured at the District
Attorneys Office this morning, and elsewhere
by our reporters, will shed some light upon
the mystery, and disclose the history of a
crime always without parallel in this city.
DIR. I hi has been in attendance with DIR.
Catlin. Of Brooklyn. upon Mrs. Cunningham.
DIR. Uhl had been led TO believe that Mrs. &.
was enciente. She had presented oil the
external appearances Of one about TO be
mother-as he expressed it. But DR.. Uhl
remarked, about a month ago. that as yet
there was no positive evidence OF pregnancy,
aud told her that, under the circumstances,
he thought it bis duty to make q 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 ut all; that she
bad been playing game, and he (Dr. uhl)
must help her out with it.
DIR Uhl, previously to this time, had had
confidence in the lady. but this bold PROPOSE
tion took him completely aback. He imme-
diately 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
develope great crime, and supply the proof
for the criminals conviction. DR.. Uh finally
consented.
He told Mrs Cunningham that he was ac-
quainted with California widow, who was.
he feared, about to he confined, and it would
be necessary to dispose OF the child together,
as the lady was going on 10 join her husband
in California
Mrs. Cunningham was delighted. 1t was
arranged that neither party was to know
anything of the other The widow" was to
be confined at 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 Montagnie, aud engaged him TO assist
in the counterput, whenever the critical
| time should arrive. Yesterday morning, DIR.
De la Montagnie went to Bellevue Hospital,
aud with the consent of Governor DAILY, Sc
lected q babe Of Elizabeth Anderson, n beau
tifu little bue-eyed girl, born ou Saturday
| last The mother kissed her baby, and con-
sented to part with it 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 halfpast three o'clock in the
afternoon, and told her he was prepared to
carry out the thing at once that the Cali
| fornia widow was about TO be confined at No.
1870 Elm street aud she must he prepared 20
receive the little stranger with proper cere-
Il. 4 ! 4
that night if be would produce the child by
| nine O'Clock. lie was TO come over and let
her know at quarter before nine o'clock,
and she would send woman to bring the
child in basket.
No time was TO be lost. Mr. Hail hired o
room Of Il respectable lager beer seller, at n
100 Elm street, and Immediately sent down
suitable furniture from his own house, inclu-
ding the basket for the baby. DR.. hi took
possession of the premises, and had hardly
got possession when Mrs. G. was seen passing
the house and eyeing it closely.
Policemen were now judicously posted
and everything was arranged. Dr. Montag
ME Immediately posted to Bellevue Hospital
and succeeded III getting what he wanted, as
well as the assistance Of an Intelligent Irish
girl, named Mary Regan, who was to act as
nurse to the fictitious widow. A physician
was also engaged to lie il bed with night
cap on, and do the grooming for the widow.
This party arrived at 1870 Elm street just il
time.
Officer VIM. b. Walsh, of the Court O
Sessions, was posted in the street opposite
and Inspectors Spcight and Dilkes in Bono
street. The physician who was to personal,
the widow" assisted DR.. NJ Montagnle in Ger
tain operations necessary TO give the child
the appearance Of a new w-born babe aud iheI
went to bed. Some private marks were alst
made on the child'S head, with nitrate o.
silver. A messenger was sent 10 81 Bono
street.
Shortly after Capt. Speight saw Mrs
Cunningham leave her house followed hel
into II Fourth avenhe car where she wa:
+ recognized by the Conductor aud some pas
sengers who spoke to Capt. Speight about
her. She was disguised in quasi nuns
dress. The Captain followed her into Elm
street, until she disappeared into the large
beer saloon.
lie then returned to his post. In few
moments DR.. Uhl came out and asked The
officers opposite whether they had seen th,
woman leave tho house. She had passed ou
so quietly that they had failed to perceiy,
her.
The officers next repaired to No 81 Bone
street, where they learned that Mrs. Gun
bingham had gone out, but had not returned
and that q man with white hat had gone in
This was DIR. Cutler, Of Brooklyn, who wa
assisting Mrs. &. in good laith.]
DIR. Montagne at once went to the corne
OF the Bowery and Bond street. where h'
met Mrs. Cunningham, in the nuns dress
with iarge basket in her hands, in which sh,
had placed the baby. She went into he
house.
1t had been arranged between her and DR.
} Uhl that she should send in urgent haste [,
his house. Accordingly he had appeared all,
went
lie som came ont and walked down {
street. The officers then went up, by tn,
p District Attorneys directions, rung the bel
and entered. They were met by two womel
at the door, who Informed them that Mrs
Cunningham was very sick and could not b,
seen. They found her in bed with the bah,
by her side-one Of the nurses" giving he
warm drink from a dish over lamp frou
time 10 time.
DR.. Montagnie asked if that was DIR. Bur
dells baby. Mrs. Cunningham replied, seer
tainly, whose else could it be 2" The officer
at length told her that she must be arrested