The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-05-03
Horrible Outrage in Chester County.

On Sunday night Last, series of the
most barbarous cruelties were Inflicted
upon Mrs. Riday. wife of Charles Riday,
brick maker, residing in Oxford Borough
On the Monday night presious, the house
had been entered, and chloroiorm admin
istered to the occupants, who we're at the
tine in bed. asleep. Mrs. Ridoy, waking
up. alarmed the burglars. and put them
to flight. On Sunday night last, Mr.. Ri
day went to church, aud left his brother
at home to take eharge of the family; but
be also started away, aud shortly after
ward, about half past nine O'Clock, per-
son knocked at the door. Mrs. Riday
bid him come in. A man entered, aud
asked her if she knew bm. She looked
at him, and saw that be wore a tonahawk
bre east-pin, and from this recognized him
as one of the turglars who had been there
on Monday night. He said, You -,
If it had not been for you, Ia have got
all away. You have been telling it a
round at the stores about the robbery
that left fifty cents in the drawer-I
heard ALL" Mrs. Riday then ran to-
wards the door; he caught her, locked the
door, thrust the key in her mouth, and
finding that it would not gag her, be also
thrust the burning candle in, which Sc
riou4ly burned the roof of her mouth, and
then exclaimed, You - protestant, l
won't kill you now, but if you talk as you
did the other time was here, | will
He then demanded the candle he had
left, saying it was worth gold to him"
The woman could not speak, but made
motions signifying that it was in the cup
board. He secured the candle; tied her
on chair with both hands behind her;
kicked her iu the side several times; slap
ped her on each side OF the face to straight
en- her head up, and then taking bis own
pocket handkerchief, commenced tying
her under the chin, when another man
without, cried ''green greenp' He then
took back bis own handkerchief, and pail
ing Que from under her apron, made use
OF it in fastening her head to the chair
Taking up q griddle which was on the
stove. he spit upon it, to see if it was hot,
and placed it upon her bare breast, burn
ing part of the flesh to crisp. He then
tied her feet together on the baking plate
Of the stove. After sprinkling turpentipe
over her dress, sud placing candle be-
hind her, 80 that her clothing might catch
fire, and while in the midst OF other acts
too horrible and indecent to mention, the
man at the door cried Eyes yes !" as il
to signify the approach of some one, when
they both left, locking the door after
them. Shortly after, the children, who
had been up stairs, came down and NOV
ed their mother from the stove An a
larm was given; the door was broken o.
pen, and in few minutes there was a large
number of people present.
Yesterday Mrs Riday was no! expect
ed to live, her limbs, feet, breast and
mouth being in many places burned to a
crisp. These, and other Injuries of far
more serious nature. render her recovery
doubtful. She describes the demon like
perpetrator as tall. thin man, with hea-
W whiskers, Inclined to gray, and would
recognized him If brought before her. -
Several have been arrested, but liberated
on her failure to recognize them-C Chester
County Times