The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-08
HORRIBLE CHILD MURDER.
IA Little Girl Three Years OF Age
Starved and Rensen TO Death,

From the N. Y. Evening ost, 22d.
Coroner Wildey was yesterday called upon
to hold an inquest on The body of little girl
named Mary Gcrriiy. aged three years and
three months, who. according to the verdict of
the jury. redered after a careful and thorough
investigation of all the facts in the case came
to her death by eYhaustioa from Injuries re-
ceived at the hands of Dora Clinton. We fur.
thermore consider that William Clinton was an
accessory"
From tho testimony given by the vi nesses
on the Inquest, we are able to give the follow
ing history of this ruly revolving child MUIR
der. About six months ago Mr. Gerrty. the
father Of the deceased was accidentally killed
in this city. At his death he left widow and
four children, of whom deceased was the
youngest. The widow had no means of sup
port for herself and children except her own
labor, and at the urgent request OF Mrs. Dora
Clinton, seconded by her husband, VIM. Gin
ton, the widow reluctantly consented to re-
sign all right to Mary, and i've her to the Clin-
tons, who were to adopt her as their own
child and to educate and bring her up as such
Mr. and Mrs. Clinton resided at No. q E st
broadway. and are reputed to be in comfOrta-
Die circumstances. The treatment which the
chiid received at the hands OF her adopted
mother is detailed in the following testi
mOny:
Mary a. Gregory. heing duly sworn deposes
l. Z.
hOor front; Mrs. Clinton lives in the back
room; l have heard Mrs. Clinton beat he
child several times, but don't know what she
beat her with l have seen her beating her
with her open hand around the body and head
knocking her down, and then making her
stand up and knocking her down again: the
day the child was taken away, she came and
called me, saying: Come and see what Mary
has done" and l went up there, AID the
child had done its business on the floor and
Mrs. Carlton said, Now. I'll make you eat
it but l did not zee that she did try to /:
when the child had made water on the floor
Mrs. Clinton has toll me that she made her
drink it. l have seen her put the child naked
i'll Mrs Wagons pot closet, and also in the
Jews cellar; have known her to 90 out in
the morning and leave the child stripped and
tied to tie bedstead. and have heard her call
to me to let her come out and play with my
son, she saying she was cold and hungry:
only spoke TO Mrs. Clinton once about the
child, and she then said she wished to God
its mother would come and take ii away.
have seen Mrs Clinton drink ale. but never
saw her under the influence of liquor. rhe
| day the child was taken away it was brought
in to me and l saw marks Oh it which seemed
to have been made with strap.
Mary Slatterly testiiies as follows: I live
at SO East Broadway first floor: about three
| weeks ago saw the child On the back stoop :
| she said Mama Clinton gave her because she
| told Papa Clinton she had been drunk all day ;
| the cuts were. covered with rags. so could not
| see them !; took her into my room and gave
| her bread and meat and tea she said she liked
me because she d d not get much at home
| Mrs. Clinton came and took her away and
would not let her drink the tea, and l heard
| her Slap her on the stairs I have seen her
| arms black and blue ia streaks for o month
! have seen the child obliged to walk on the side.
walk from one lamp post to another until il
was so iat'gued that its head lay to one side
as 1t walked and Mrs. Gin on was sitting on
| the stoOp with Mrs Wngan all the time
i'r George Is BoutOn testified that assisted
| by DIR. BaisdeIi. he made o post mortem cx
animation of the body OF deceased: that he
| found sixteen different msTl1s and bruises 81,
| the head alone, besides many on the body and
limbs those on the forehead and other parts
| OF the head were most extensive and severe
| the victim was very much emaciated, aud The
| doctor had no doubt that the death was pro
duced by the blows il received. in con ectior
| with the lack Of nourishment