The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-09
THE PATERSON ALMsHOUSE INVESTIGATION.
The Charges Against Isaac j. SigIer.
PkTKRsox n I Ananat

Keeper paterson AlmSnOuSe,
having cruelty treated the inmates OF that
was continued in the Council chamber
TESTIMONY or WITNESSES
Ralph Cole sworn and examined.-I reside in Pater.
now. and returned to Paterson on Saturday even
ing; have been inmate Of the Paterson Aimshouse
6rst went there two months previous to Siger taking
charge; have been there, believe three tunes and
len last time in April the treatment Of the inmates BY
Sigler while was there was no. very good; have
think. seen him whip man named Ksrshaw twice:
he nrst struck him with his fist and then kicked MIN
front Of his house and haiooed 10 Kershaw who made
no answer and then struck him and heat him have
treatment, but cannot recosct than all he han. Ksr
shaw ono night in his bedroom he whipped him with
cane for knocking on the door; Keshaw knocked on
the door because man In the room named Thompson
snored, and Kershaw wanted 10 go sleep; Mrs Whit
takor went in and held Kershsw's arms. and Mike
AcGurk held his arms while Sgier beat him; stood in
the door and saw this; the children got shoes about
Christmasi Sigler would take the old shoes on Mrs.
whittaksr's daughters and give Thorn to the other
Cross-sxamined-I never saw Kershaw violent;
was little after seven O'Clock whom sisler
whipped Kershaw in his room; I never knew
Siger 70 whip him before; II was warm weather
when Siger whipped Kershaw; in bed at
rally retired about seven eight O'Clock; cannot tell
what hour retired the night OF the whipping
Thompson had been snoring when Kershaw Knocked on
the door; knew he snored because there other
person IN tne room, cannot now often keEshaw
knocked before sgler came up; Siger did not request
him to stop Knocking before be came up; Sigler was
not undressed for bed sigler called Mcdurk to assist
MIN while he beat Kershaw; Mrs. Whitaker went in OF
her own accord and held his legs think McGurk and
another looney slept IN another Ksrshaw Is
did not Kershaw tear sgier's shirt
Sigier asked Kershaw when he went into the
any answer it was hard to get anything out OF him:
Slgler after Aogging Kershaw had him locked up 10 jail
Kershaw went to look for work. and sgler hitched up
I'D m nd NUT bip in iail. Tnav
heard that Kershaw had beaten his wife; heard
that women had been strapped was not treated good
eat got rye bread and coffee and butter as it
daughter, was not at the first table; was an
saw. nigsers at the nrst table in Taylor's
snd oos because NOT
potatoes, pork, and bread for dinner sometimes got
piece OF meat and Il that was not enough got 90 more
when down. allowance OF bread and potatoes
placed before not allowed enough to eat that
knew il was no use, 50 never complaned asked him
for medicine and 90 did others, and did not get for
week after; when got tho medic took 1t; was
pretty we'll ali the time sigsr asked three four
times for medicine for me- Sgler kept medicne in the
DS sI %.
when took the pills. had to take the pills three or
Rsdirect-Mrs whitaker went into the room and
caught Kershaws legs and McGurk his arms and SIger
used his cudge-his cane; he continued that amuse-
candle in IT, and the lantern broken in the fracas
Kershaw probably about sixty years Of age cannot
siesr beat Kershsw on che path that beating affected
Ksr:hsw for several days. he then locked him up in tho
let him out the day Kershaw made resistance
when SgIer threw him down upon tho path:
seen sglsr whip tho children with sticks snd straps;
did not see him whip his own children; he would not
he would allow the children 70 get apples FROM the
a ns 70 sss
him refuse little children and grown up persons
ripe apples that we're on the ground II they were good
Mrs WHITAKER had seven eight Of her children the
they got their share Of SHOES and oiohos pretty good
share too: these children the girls clad in Calico
Mrs Whitaker always had shoes; have known
several persons to have been locked up without
several persons were found dead in their beds Thomas
Van Horn, Andrew Hamilton, Isaac King Isaac Billings
Mr. Sopay ws,s s found 6:iS and also MT
found dead while was there; there person to
Sc up with them while they wers dying, and they all
WEDNESDAYS PR0CEEDfN0A
Eliza Jackson sworn:-I reside In Paterson; have
been inmate Of the Paterson po0rhouse went there
last summer; there twice during that summer
and again lately for six weeks; Mr. agier keeper
woman could not say what II with; that last
summer she got up 70 take salt or bread or something
and sit down; don't think the woman understood
her, and stood still Miss Whitaker then went up
% :SS Sd o,d Mr. 70 NJ s' ssd
would down: Mr. sigsr then came down and beat
hsr until she haIoosd know also Of Bridget Kenealsy
going bed every night without her supper and little
dragged tn. clothes on me and ii.trssisd me- dom!
MT sesr say it was for not keeping bed clean and
he said the same OF Kitty Potter was down stairs one
mn and .s WOrds to her. and 81. went
and told Mr. s'gsr Mr. sigsr then came up and with
out hearing what had TO say about heard her story
asked him II had not ~ good right as she had to
right over the bridge; told HIM he had
could walx over myself i then vent to
put my clothes to over tho bridge he stopped me
not q courss 90 Willingly 90 he called two men over
pretending that he not able TO take mo himself he
fo1d s sU ocraD 81 O Ou he put me in
some time after dinner; the nexs morning. after got
OUT got NY bundle and left the pocrhouse; ar selsr
overlook me the way 70 the town; he asked
me 70 &c, up into the wagon and whom had got up he
asked me f was going TO make any complaint against
this was last summer never saw Mr. Lehr beaten
than when he beat her he struck her good many
same room With me, but in q different bed; Harriet
| Murray and Emma and Mary Murray, and Kitty Pot.
all four slept !. enc bed x,tiy Potter M,,, SLEPT pc
hands; sometimes the others would accidentally kick
her. and that made her cry whom she cried sometim
Miss Whitaker would threaten to beat her, and one
night did beat her very badly she beat her with her
hands; Harriet Bell girl OF between sixteen snd
seventeen there for Harre. to lie straight
ana Kitty Potter lie between her and the foot or the
bed have seen Mis- Whitaker ll-treat NM Lehr and
crazy boy, named think. Charlie OCaroll; she threw
water on them for diversion told M ssler OF nef
doing this OCCASION but DO not know whether he
believed not; was here last ghs waiting 70 Dc
| sworn: Q constable, whose name don't know, took
| me home; the on1csr said the COMMITTEES allowed him
10 take home; don't think should know the oniceI
| again he told me had better not say much against
Mr. siger a. did IL would 80 against me on my own
| trial
examinsdThs ofncsr MD was not 70 say much
against MI eIgler; replied would not but would put
many words into one, and would say nothing but the
truth; Bridget Kenssley went TO bed all the
ali 10 cat 81 night; kr sgler was not right
| when he said she did not keep her bed clean!
| have no III feeling against Miss Whitaker, but
think she old nisgsr driver and Mr.. sgleR the
sane: made about this matter onse before