Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-09-07
from tile Boston ntrald.l
MASSACHUSETTS, MORALITY.
Cruelty 10 II Pauper Girl by a wealthy
Family.


Family.
Last week n girl II years Of age named
Sarah Maria McKeering, died in Lawrence,
Mass, who, in her earlier years, was made
the victim of most shocking cruelty, at the
hands of wealthy farmer and his wife we'll
known in that vicinity. Her sad story Is as
follows; She was born in poverty, at Deer
Island, and at early age she was taken by
Mr.. Sanbon, Il childess father, to his happy
and pleasant home in Salem. She was then
about 10 months OF age. While there she
enjoyed all the happiness OF which child
was capable until her kind protector died and
left his wife in poverty. She too, also fell
sick, and soon the only support Of the two
was what Sarah, then but four or five years
of age, could beg upon tho streets in cold,
rain and snow. Some gentlemen found out
the state of things and took charge of Mrs.
Sanborn, and Sarah was taken 10 Tewsbury.
| AT the age OF six years this mere infant was
| taken by wealthy family in the vicinity OF
Lawrence. and it was naturally presumed
that she would be kindly treated and educa-
led. At the Tewksbury institution a few
i years since 1t was thought proper TO appoint
an agent 10 inquire into the welfare of the
waits who had been taken from tho institu-
tion. In the case of Sarah, the family who
had gwen bonds to educate and bring her up
in respectable manner, reported to the
agent that, after living with them for four
years, she had run away. Further search
resulted In finding Sarah with respectable
family in Lawrence, who had taken her in
on the day alter she had left her place, and
who were led 10 do so by hearing of her as
being at the house of neighbor, where she
had obtained shelter over night, and where
she came the afternoon before 10 piiiablC
condition, with arms black and blue from
4 nnnQTnnt lII-trpafnpnf fntrn rl,r
was sick and helpless-a beautiful girl, some
sixteen years of age-emaoiated and pro-
nounced 10 be in consumption by four diff
ferent physicians, who had been called TO hei
aid and she told sad story of abuse and
shameful ill-treatment concerning tue family
INTO whose charge she had been given by the
State ten years before She alleged, sub
sianIially, that on one occasion, having moi
enough 10 eat-being fed for days in success
sion on nothing but cold potatoes and salt
she took piece of apple pic and hid; hei
master found il, and to punish her, took hei
to the barn, and compelled her to eat moisl
COW manure from large spoon held 10 hei
mouth that, on another occasion, ner mis-
tress dragged her to the kitchen stove, and
put her hands on the hot iron, holding them
there until they were blistered; and at anoth
er time, held chamber vessel tn her mouth
and forced her 10 drink urine; that another
day, when she was discovered eating piec.
OF pie or cake, her mistress made hei
take dose ol epson salts, saying
that she would physie il out of her;'
that, while the family always allowed
ihe hired help-men and women-tC
SIT and eat at the same table with themselves
she was compelled to eat her meals alone
aud from Tin plate, sitting on stool, in I
sink-room leading ont Of the kitchen. Ant
she further alleged that, for some slight mis-
demeanor, her mistress took her into th,
attic, and tying her to post, having frs
stripped off every particle of her clothing
terribly beat her bare flesh wilh~a bunch o
four sticks, till they were nearly worn up
and she alleged that the reason why she lef
them was that they had threatened 10 civ,
her another bealhing. which threat put he
in such great dread that she ran away
clothed so shabbiiy, as is said by those viii
first took her in, that it could moi be Judge,
from the medley OF her garments whtthe
she was boy or girl. Such was the girl
story of her cruel treatment, and she adherel
10 il in the presence Of those who had g
fOully abused her.