Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-08-11
THE NEW INCIDENT IN THE BURpELL CASE.
rFrom the New York Post

THE NEW INCIDENT IN THE BURDELL CASE
From the New York POst]
The Fifth act in the Ttaoedy--Ars Cunningham At
tempting to Palm off Child-Shs is arrested.
The general report that Mrs. Cunningham, whom
everybody has supposed to have been pregnant Tor
months, was safely delivered Of a child this morn
ing who would claim as heir to the Burdeu estate,
created good deal of excitement throughout the city,
which was increased by the announcement that Mrs.
Cunningham was under arrest, for what cause was
unknown.
The following statement Of the facts in the 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 almost without parallel in the
city.
Dr. Uhl has been in attendance, with Dr. Cathn,
of Brooklyn, upon Mrs Cunningham. Dr. Uhl had
been led to believe that Mrs. c. was soon to bear
child. She had presented all the external appear
ance Of one about to be mother-as he expressed
it, ''growing larger every week" But DR.. Uhl re-
marked about a month ago, that as yet there was
positive evidence of pregnancy, and told her that
under the circumstances, he thought it his duty to
make medical examination. Mrs. Cunningham
appeared very reluctant, and put matter of from
time to time. Generally she told him plainly that
she was not pregnant at ALL that she had been play
ing game and (Dr. Uhl must help her out with it.
DIR. Uhl, previously to this time had had conf
dence in the lady, but this bold proposition took him
completely aback. He Immediately consulted eoun-
sci, 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 deveope
great crime, and supply the proof for the erimi-
| nails conviction. DR.. Uhl finally consented
He told Mrs. Cunningham that he was acquainted
with California widow, who was, he feared about
to be confined and it would be necessary to dispose
of the child altogether the lady was going on to
| join her husband in California,
Mrs Cunningham was deliOhted II was arranc
ed that neither party was to know anything of the
| other The ''widow" was to be confined at a house
in Elm street, and the infant to be taken thence to
| 81 Bond street.
Mr.. Hall then impaired the matter to Dr. De la
Montagnie and engaged him to assist in the coun-
terplot, whenever the critical time should arrive
Yesterday morning DIR. Del la Montagnie went to
Bellevue Hospital and with the consent of Gov DAILY
selected baby of Elizebeth Anderson, beautiful
| little blue eyed girl, born on Saturday last. The
mother kissed her baby and consented part with it
condition that it should be well taken Of and
| returned within twenty-four hours.
| DR.. Uhl visited Mrs. Cunningham by appointment
at half-past o'clock in the afternoon and told her
he prepared to carry out the thing at once that
the California widow about to be confined at No.
| 100 Elm street, and she must be prepared to re-
ceive the little stranger with proper ceremonies
Then she said ghe 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 quarter be-
| fore nine o'clock, and she would send woman to
| bring the child in basket.
| No time was to be lost Mr.. Hall hired room of
respectable lager beer seller at No. 100 Elm street.
| and Immediately sent down suitable furniture from
his own house, including the basket for the baby.
DR. Uhl took possession when Mrs. c. was seen pass
ing the house and cycling it closely.
Policemen were now judicOUsly posted and every
| thing was arranged. DR.. Montagnie Immediately
posted 10 Releune Hospital, and succeeded in get
ting pint of blood, well as the assistance of an
intelligent fresh girl, named Mary Regain, who was
to act as nurse to the fictitious widow. physician
was also engaged to lie in bed with nightcap on,
| AMI TO do groaning for the ''WidoW." This party
| arrived at 100 Elm street just in season.
Officer VIM. B. Walsh, of the Court of Sessions
| was posted in the street opposite, and Inspectors
| Speight and Dilikes in Bond street. The physician
| who was to personate the widow" assisted Dr.
Montsgnie in certain operations necessary to give
| the child the appearance of new born babe, and
| then went to bed. Some private marks were also
made the cbild's head, with nitrate Of silver.
| messenger was send to 81 Bond street.
Shortly after Capt Speieht saw Mrs. Cunning ham
leave her house; followed her into Fourth avenue
car, where she recognized by the conductor and
| some passengers, who spoke to Capt Speight about
her She was disguised in quasi nuns dress. The
Captain followed her into Elm street until she dis
appeared into the lager beer saloon.
He then returned to his post. In few moments
DR.. Uhl came out and asked the officers opposite
whether they had seen the woman leave the house
She had passed out so quietly that they had failed
to perceive her.
The officers next repaired to No. 81 Bond street.
where they learned that Mrs. Cunningham had gone
out, but had not returned, and that with a
white hat had gone in. This DR.. Catlin, of
Brooklyn, who was assisting Mrs, c. in good faith,
DR.. MOntagnie at once went to the corner of the
Bowery and Bond street, where he met Mrs. Cum
ningham, in the nuns Dress with large basket in
her hands, in which he had placed the baby. She
went into her house.
1t had been arranged between her and DR.. Uhl
that she should send in urgent haste to his house
Accordingly he had appeared and went
He soon came out and walked down the street.
The officers then went up by the District Attorneys
direction, rung the bell and entered. They were
met by two women at the door, who informed them
that Mrs. Cunningham very sick and could not
be seen. They found her in bed with the baby by
her side-one of the ''nurses" giving her warm
drink from dish over q lamp from time to time.
DR.. Montagnie asked if that was DR.. Burdelrs
baby. Mrs. Cunningham replied: " Certainly-
whose else could it be ?" The officers at length told
her that she must be arrested, that the game was
played out.
She was apparently under the influence of opium,
in order to create artificial paleness. One Of the
taken TO the station house, AMI the other
remained at No. 81 Bond street with Mrs Cunning
ham, in charge of the officers
To day afhdavits were submitted before Justice
FlandreaU, and warrants issued for the arrest
of Mrs. Cunningham, her nurses, DR.. Cutler, and
others.