Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1859-01-22
Life in New York.


Horrible Case Of Destitution and
Death.-On Friday evening horrible
case Of degradation, misery and death was
brougktto ligh, in New York by the po-
lice. Mrs. Hughes, said TO have been
formerly lady of wealth and standing in
that city and Boston, was found dead in
a low den in Mulberry street. The body
was entirely naked, the bead resting upon
a bag Of shavngs. Her little son, eight
years of age, shabbily dressed and bare
footed, was also found in !he room, but
alive. The Express says -
"The body was placed on door and
carried to the 9Th ward slalion-house, and
laid ou, in cell by itself. The boy was
also taken 10 the stalion-house, when
Capt. Bowling procured him some food
which he devoured, being evidently half
starved. The boy has a slight frame,
light hair, well developed head, and
gave his name as Tommy Hughes. He
appears to have remarkably good mem
ory, is very intelligent, and told the fol-
lowing story in relation TO his parents,
which, were all its narrowing particulars
known, would prove Of more terrible IN
teres, than all the fiction of the popular
writer's Of The day:
| His father was Col. Thomas Hughes,
of Boston, formerly of the United States
army. He was afterwards confined in a
lunalic asylum in France, for insanity,
where he cut his throat and thus ended
his life. Tommy recollected going with
his mother 10 see his father at The "Crazy
House," when his father said Emma,
look at lhis-," and at the same time
he pulled great long Dutch knife out OF
his shlr, bosom and attempted 10 cut his
mothers throat. Tommy said his father,
Col. Hughes was his mothers second
husband, her former name being Emma
Jane Torrance. He could recollee! when
his mother kept house, She then sold
her furniture and boarded at the Prescott
House, and went from there 10 the Me-
tropolitan Hotel (aboui year ago, as
nearly as he could recollecV when she
commenced drinking Holland gin. Sub
sequenly she left the Metropolitan Hotel
aid boarded in Mo!l street; there she com
menced 10 drink brandy, and finally NOV,
ed 10 Mulberry street. where she was
found dead,
lie says that she threatened 10 Kill hin,
al one time, but he. escaped by screaming
when the neighbors came i'll and saved
Ihin. All the money she could get into
her possession she used to buy rum with,
and neglected to procure provisions, and
he had nothing but a crust OF bread and
water or little coffee daily 10 subslst on.
According to his account his mother Al
one time had friends, among whom he
mentioned Charles Gilbert, No. llS
Broadway; II. S. Tibbeus, Trinity Build
ings, and Wm. ]. Haskell, attorney. Mr..
Hasheil had given him money at llmes,
which bis mother had taken for drinking
purposes. MIR. Tibbctts, lie said, was in
some way related 10 his mother. At one
time she sent man named John Burden
to Mr.. Tibbeus, for money; Tlbbels gave
$40, 81 Of which Burden used and gave
his mother only Sc. Little BY little she
sold and pswned every article of bel
clothing, aud everything she possessed
to satisfy her craving for drink.
The little fellow says that his father
has considerable property, of which lie
should receive part, and that it is now
in a law suit, He has a hall-brother
who, he says, ran away from his mother
and is now living with his grandmother,
Mrs. Terranee, in one OF the western
States. Tommy also gave a minute ac'
count Of his mothers death, which took
place Or Thursday evening. About -
clock, while she was lying on the floor,
she commenced groaning as it in great
pain, saying at times "Oh Thomas, Oh
Thomas ~ He asked her what was the
matter with her several times before she
noticed him. phe then asked him to
draw her near the fiie, which he did after
great exerlion. After this she slept about
an hour. and then waking, asked him
where he mad been, and commenced star
ing wildly about her. He replied, "by
YOU mother" She said, no you wasn't
Immediately she commenced shaking.
which soon ceased. She then intimated
to him by signs that she wished him to
kiss her, which he did. She then drew
her limbs up and lay qniel. Shortly al
forwards woman came INTO The room
aud said : "But l guess your mann 5
dead" lie then placed his hand on her
heart, TO feel its beating, and afIer-
wards placed his ear 10 her mouth 10 hear
whether she breathed. Shortly after
wards Capt. Bowling came and took the
body 10 the station-house.