American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-08-14
THE RURDELL MYSTERY.
Another act IN the Drama

Inc telegraph has already Informed
us OF 'he re-arrest of Mrs. Cunningham,
on the charge of felony in attempting
t" palm oil strange child as an heir to
the estate Of the late DIR. Harvey Burd.
ell The New York papers are filed
with the particulars of this singular
case. from which we extract tho fol.
lowing:
Dr. Uhl has been in attendance,
with DR.. Catlin, of Brooklyn, upon
Mrs. Cunningham. DR.. Uhl had been
led to believe that Mrs. G. was soon to
bear child. She had presented all
tho external appearance of ono about
To be a mother-But DR.. Uhl remarked
about u moth ago that as yet there was
no positive evidence of pregnancy, aud
told her that under tho circumstances
he thought it his duty to make a mod
lcal examination. Mrs Cunningham
appeared very reluctant, and put the
matter oil from time To time. Finally
she told him plainly that she was not
pregnant at all that she had been play.
ing game, and he Or. Uh) mus, help
her out with it.
DR.. Uhl, previously to this time, had
had confidence in the lady, but this
bold proposition took him completely
aback. He Immediately consulted coun-
sci, and up0n legal advice stated the
whole matter TO District Attorney Hall.
MIR. Hall told him it was his dnly to
carry out the matter in order 10 devel.
opc a great crime, and supply the proof
Tor the criminals conviction. DR. Uhl
finally consented.
He told Mrs. CUNNINGHAM tina, he
was acquainted with a California widow
who was, he feared. about to be con.
hned, aud it would be necessary to dis.
pose of the child altogether, as the la
dy was going on to join her husband in
California.
Mrs. Cunningham was delighted -
1t was arranged that neither party was
10 know anything of The other. The
"widow' was To be confined at a house
in Elm streer, and tho infant to be ia
ken thence to No. 81 Bond Street.
Mr.. Hall then impaired tho matter
to DR.. Do la Montagnic, and engaged
him to assist in the counterpart, when.
ever tho critical time should artive.--
Yesterday morning DR.. De la Monra.
gnih went TO Bellevue Hospital, and,
with the consent of Governor Daly, SO.
.ected babe of Elizabeth Anderson.
a beautiful little blue eyed girl, born
on Saturday last. The mother kissed
her baby, and consented to part with
it on condition that it should be well ia.
ken care Of aud reformed within twcn-
~ fonr hours.
DIR. Uhl visited Mrs. Cunningh by
appointment, at halEpast 3 o'clock in
the afieInoon. aud told her he was pre-.
pared to carry out the thing at once;
that the California widow was about
10 be confined at No. 100 Elm street.
and she must DO prepared to receive
the little stranger with proper ceremo-
MES. Then she said she would be con-
fined that night, if he would produce
the child by 90 clock. He was TO come
over and let her know at a quarter be.
fore O'Clock. and she would send q
woman 10 bring tho child in basket.
No time was to be lost, Mr.. Hall
hired room of a respectable lager beer
seller at No. 100 Elm street, and imme.
diately sent down suitable furniture
from his own house, including the bas-
ket for the baby, Dr.. Uhl took pos.
session Of the premises. and had hardly
got possession when Mrs. G. was seen
passing The house and eyed il closely.
Policemen wero .jndicionsly posted,
and everything was arranged. The great
est difficulty was To procure an "afler-
birth" DR.. Montagnie posted 10 Belle
vuo Hospital, and succeeded in getting
what he wanted, as well as the assist
ance of an intelligent lrisb girl, named
Mary Regan, who was TO act as nurse
to the fictitious widow. A physician
was also engaged to lie in bed with a
nigh, cap 90, and do the grooming for
tho "widow" This party arrived at
100 Elm street just in season.
Officer VIM. Il. Walsh, of the Court
Of Sessions, was posted in the street
opposite, aud Inspectors Spright and
bikes in Bond street, The physician
who was 10 personate the "widow "" as,
sisted DR.. Montagnio in certain opera.
tons necessary TO give the child tho
appearance Of newborn babe, and
then went to bed. Some private marks
were also made on the chiId's head with
nitrate Of silver. A messenger was
then sent to 81 Bond street.
Shortly after Capt, Spe light saw Mrs.
Cunningham leave her house; followed
her into Fourth avenue car, where
sho was recognized by tho conductor
and some passengers, who spoke to
Capt. Speight about her. She was dis
guiscd in q~0si nuns dress. The
Captain followed her into Elm street,
until she disappeared into The lager beer
saloon.
Ho then retnrned To his most In q