New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-08-05
DIR. DE LA MoNTAGNIE.s ACCOUNT.

DR. DE LA MONlAGNlES atCOtNl'
Dr. De la Montagnie, hysican, who, at the Dis
Attorneys request, rendered important service in
carry ing out this plot and counterpot, yesterday made
the following detailed statement Of the affair to one of
our reporters:
DR.. Til has been in attendance on Mrs. Cunning
ham, together with DR.. Catlin OF brooklyn (the man
who testified so readily that Mrs. Cunningham had
had rheumatism ia her right hand), ever since her
trial. He was inclined TO be quite friendly toward
her, ard had been led to believe that she was soon to
bear a child to Dr. Burdell. She went through the
various external gradaons Of chld-bearins- growing
larger al lar ger every week. About month ago. DIR.
Uhl remarked TO berhat although she was so Iear the
time of childbirth, there was yet no positive evidence
of pregnancy as it was, under the peculiar eircum'
stances important that there should be- and ne there
fore con idered il his duty TO make medical examina-
ton in order to clearly establish the fact Mrs Cum
bingham said would be well enough byand-by,
and constantly put him of. When by.and-by came
she was st unwilling and finally told him that it was
all fol.de ro that she had not been pregnant ct all;
hut she sad You have helped me thus far, and now
"you must help me to carry it out, and will reward
"you handsomely. Up to this time Dr. Uh
had confidence in her, but this bold proposition
took him aback. lie told her he did not
then see how he could help her, and when he left her
went ard consulted counsel who advised him to lay
the whole matter before District Attorney Hall.
The Doctor accordingly stated the case to Fir.
Hall, who at once advised him to 80 and carry the
thing out. He was still reluctant but the District
Attorney persuaded him that il his duty to do all
in bis power to develop great crime, aud he at last
consented. DR.. I'LL then went to Mrs. Cunningham
and told her IL at he had in his hands a" California
widow" who was about to be confined, and that il
was necessary to dispose of the child irevocably
the lady was gorg TO Join her husband IN California
Mrs. Cunningham wss delighted. 1t was further ar
ranged that Mrs. Cunningham not to know who
the woman wes nor the mother to know what became
of the child He told her that he had the woman at
house in Elm street, where she to be
coDfr ed The thing had progressed 60 far when
Mr. Hall stated the circumstances to me- and asked
NE 10 render my assistance when the proper time
came. To this | assented, and having received
note, came down yesterday morning. 1t was deter
mined that must provide the child from Bellevue
Hospital. Accordingly / called at Bellevue, with
Tote from Governor Smith, and Governor DAILY told
me that might make my own selection. l found
pretty, blue-eyed little girl, daughter Of Elizabeth
Anderson, which was born on Saturday; and the
mother consented that should bring it away on con-
dton that would take good care Of it and bring it
bach tina. night. DIR. TIL met Mrs. Cunningham by
appointment ct 3, o'clock, and informed me that she
was ready to carry out the thing and expected to be
confined that day. He was to meet me at O'Clock a.
his Office but was too late for that, and met him
at O'Clock at No. 100 Elm street, lager beer saloon
kept by respectable German DIR. Chl said she had
a1eed TO be confined that night If he could provide
child bv o'clock in which case he was to 60 over
ard let her know at g. O'Clock, and she would send
woman to bring away the child in basket, which he
was 10 provide He said that after he left her he
GENE to No. 100 Elm street. and few minutes after
his returr as he sitting the window sill looking
cut he saw Mrs. Cunningham pass the house, looking
at il as she passed along very ntenty if to spot it.
We then Concluded that it necessary to expedite
matters. We sent Immediately to Mr.. Halls house
ard lad all the necessary furniture brought down
for the room we had engaged. Mr.. Hall
seLt down carpet, bed, table,
candlcs some Trunks and other furniture, not
fcrge,tpg basket for the baby The great difficulty
was 10 get an after BIRTH TO complete the whole thing
in order that DIR. Uhl might not be suspected. For
this purpose took carriage and drove straigdtway
to Bellevue Hospital again. leaving DIR. uhl to arrange
the furniture and take of the baby. At the Hos
pal at O'Clock got possession Of the after.birth of
another Child rolled up in piece of silk oicloth, and
aso obtained the services of ap intelligent Irish girl
named Mary Regain to personate the Of the { a.
iTornia widow and the baby. medical gentleman,
who does not wish his name TO appear also consented,
for the fun Of the thing to act the widow, lying in
bed with rightcap and doing the dismal groanns
He played his part eharmpgiy, grooming terrhcaly
when rhe came. With my load drove
as fact as possible 10 Elm street, fear
ing the woman might get there before me.
We rtopped with the carriage Of the corner Of
sni Eli s..eo,s . sLs5 q. &c hn,-e