The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-29
UNDER SENTENCE or DEATH.
A Few Facts In the Life of Bridget Dur
gAn-WRs Her ParamOur an Accessory
to the Deed I-Her Confession, Etc.


gan-Was Her ParamOur an Accessory
to the Deed !-Her Confession, Etc.
Bridget DuTgan was the child OF poverty. She
was born in County Sligo, Ireland, in the year
1s43. In the famine year in that country OF
1s47 poor Bridget was left an orphan, both her
parents having died of typhus fever She was
consigned to one of those bastiles called union
woIkhouse. Here she grew up under the care
of the guardians, and was sent out to this coun-
try by the union-a common practice by the
guardians of the poor in Ireland.
From childhood she exhibited predisposition
to epilepsy, but for some two or three years
before she left Ireland it was supposed the dis
ease was entirely removed. Alter spending
some time in New York. Bridget removed to the
township of Piscataway. N. j., where she was
engaged as servant. Here it was that DR..
Corriell first knew her. Some three years and
six months ago the doctor visited ner in his
professional capacity, at the instance OF the par
ties with whom she lived, and her reputation at
the time was that OF an honest, virtuous girl.
The doctor seemed 10 take an unusual interest
in his patient, and to none of those in the neigh
borhood whom he was called upon TO visit was
ne more attentive than the poor untrlended
emigrant girl. Bridget's attacks became more
frequent and the doctors attention more regu-
lar, and he exhibited a tatherly care for her,
which was generally spoken OF in the neighbor-
hood, and redounded to a great extent to his
credit. There were, however, malicious per-
sons who supposed that Bridget was not all
she ought to be, and shook their heads with
grave significance when she became member
OF the doctors household, as much as to say he
would have more peace OF mind regarong her;
and subsequent results show that those people
were right. Those were facts which did not
come out on the trial, but which are now gene
rally spoken of.
Bridget says that shortly after she went to
live at the doctors that she had an offer to go
out West, as the doctor and Mrs. Cornell did
not live amicably together. She positively
denies having committed the crime OF which.
she has been convicted, but at the same time,
now that all hope of pardon is at an end, it is
not too much TO say that she had guilty know
ledge of the commission of the crime, and was
an accomplce. Such was the opinion of the
jury and the learned judge who tried the case.
That she had accompliCes there cannot be
doubt; and If there be any truth in her state
ment that light was placed IN window III the
house to warn off certain parties (whom she has
not Damed) not to come near the house until
the wicked deed was accomplished, 1t Is slngu-
larry significant. Now, ii there be any truth IN
this, it is perfectly susceptible of proof, and is
worthy OF the careful consideration OF the Dis
trict Attorney. The execution of Bridget Dur
gan will not satisfy the claims of public justice
The law requires that accessories before the fact
should be equally punished with those who have
actually participated in the crime.
Who brought slight on the character OF the
poor emigrant girl? With whom was she in the
habit OF cohabiting that made people suspicious
of her virtue? Was or was there not light in
particular window on the night of the murder
| in DR.. COrriells house, and who was warned by
the beacon? II these facts, given in her confes-
| slon are capable of proof, the accomphce
| should be brought to justice.
| Bridget awaits her doom, on the 18th OF
| August with more than ordinary patience.
| Her spiritual adviser has been in constant
attendance upon her, and 1t has been owing
to the indispositiOn of her leading counsel, Mr..
| q. B. Adrain, that her formal confession has not
been made public. She has latterly been very
uncommunicative to her prison attendants, as as
| some OF the statements she made found their
way into print before it was desirable.
| From the facts that have transpired,it ls a0so-
| lutely necessary that the case should not rest
the victim of treachery and deceit, if she has
| been led into vice, and consequently the parti-
| cipator in the terrible crime of murder, those
! who contributed to that result should be made
to answer to God and the people.-N Z. Dd"y
| NelUS.