The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-05-28

| the main sewer, anu the owner O1iereu
the whole amount of money in cash,
1850, should it be recovered. Her
mann, for as such he was known among
his associates, concluded to work the
street sewer that night and see if it was
possible to find the same. That night,
accompanied by two Others, he equipped
himself in full rubber suit, revolver,
q hook, dark lantern, and sieve
shovel. Descending at the first open.
ing, which was about block below the
hotel, he set out on his journey on his
hands and knees through the dismal
passage-way. He had no sooner got we'll
under way, the powerful light from the
dark lantern ail'ording him plenty of
light, when he came face to face with
one of the largest dock rats that he had
ever seen. The power of the light seemed
to stagger the rat for II moment, when
Hermann drew his pistol and shot him
dead. He then resumed operations,
and siIted after mud and filth rs he
went along. Tho first thing Of note that
he found was the body of II still.bOrn
infnt about three or ,ur months old. On
lifting it, it was so much decomposed
that it fell apart. A little further, he
picked up silver watch, with COM
mon cord tied to il, and it had evident
ly been some time in the sewer. Keeping
on, he soon picked up two silver table
spoons, one bearing the word "Nation-
all" and evidently belonging to the
hotel ofthe same name, which is located
part of an old silver urn. AS he lifted
the piece ofurn, he felt tsomething heavy
against it, which he at first imagined to
be piece of board; but when taking it
out, 10 and behold it was the identical
lost pocketbook. All was found safe
within ; but wet through and through.
Being unable to turn in the sewer, he
was forced to back out; and in short
time he was mt the opening and in few
moments found himself safe on terra
frma. Returning home, he dried the
bills, notes, and papers; and the follow
ing morning handed over the book and
contents to their owner, who fairly
jumped with joy mt their recovery,
When told how it had been recover.
ed, he could hardly believe it. Tho
$3.50 was paid over to Hermann, re
ceiving, besides, an order for new
suit Of clothes from the proprietor OF
the hotel.
a SECOND ADVENTURE.
The most extended journey evel
, made by Hermann was through Vcsey
Street sewer to Broadw y, thence tC
i Barclay, and down Barclay to the out
let ut the river. On Nesey street III
- picked up numerous spoons of every
description, especially in the ity o
the A-t0r House, and the ease of a golt
: watch. He also found broken brace
let, Il dirk knife, and pair of golt
spectacles. On Broadway he found
. neat cross branded dirk, and on Bare
u lay street picked up over $40 in money
$ Some two years after the above jOurne.
=. he made another tour over the same
route, and found II ladies'purse contain
/, ing SI07 in gold, also an old pocket
' book with eighty-iour cents in it.
: RECOVERING A WEDDING RING.
! In the Spring of 1864 he was calle,
u upon to + cover n heavy gold wedding
d" ring that had been dropped down II sinl
II by lady, and who seemed almost di
I tractcd over its loss. Money WIS N
+ object if the ring could be recovered
u The sink was ceansed, but no rim
. could be found. The sewer was accord
. ingly visited that night, and after
diligent search of the passage-way lead
d ing from the dwelling to the main sew
u err the ring was found after nearly tw,
hours hard work. He was made q
y present of two hundred dollars for hi,
y trouble, besides what was awarded hi
u associates. .......
:, OVER THREE HUNDRED BODIES F0UNl
" IN TIE SEWERS.
Q During the ten years that Hermann
" followed the above life he states that
I, at times, he found over three hundre,
:. still-born infants in the various sewer
:, of the city. AS general thing, h
would bring them out ut the opening a
!, the river, and would receive certai
- amount from the Coroners for such bod
- les, while they would be II benefit to th
- Coroner financially for holding an In
=, quest on the same. The press seldom
:, took notice of such triiling cases. II
% - fact, it was yer rare that publicity wa
;, given to any of them. Chambers street
n he states, was The greatest on record 10
). finding still-born infants. He neve
:, visited it but he was sure to come acros
!. 'S one or two, and sometimes as many q
a five or six. The only reason he account
,s for their being so many on the abov
If street was that there WAS located in tina
~ street one ofthe most noted'abOrtionist
If ever known in this country, and j
,r whose house hundreds and hundreds Q
70 females have been operated on, an
n abortions produced. The sink was, {
,e course, used to carry offand conceal ths
40 which would have once been huma
,e being. The woman who then occupie
m the building, now resides in one of tn
m most costly mansions on Fifth avenue
H. where she carries on the same busines
ID but only caters for those of wealth, IAN
rs who can pay her the highest prices ft
ID her services. Any pleasant afternoo
20 she can be seen riding out on Centri
of Park in her carriage, and often accon
or panied by same delicate young woms
no who has been a victim to Eer hells
of practice.
ey ATRIP ACROSS TIE CITY.
1t One night Hermann determined
in make a tour from river to river. He Q
la tered one of the large sewers on h
DIS North River side and came out at Il
We mouth of Maiden Lane sewer at o.