New-York tribune., 1871-05-05
WOMAN'S WORST ENEMY.
A STARTLING NARRATIVE OF ABDUCTION.
GIRL TRACKED, DRUGGED, AND CARRIED
OFF-A FASHIONABLE DEN OF NFAMY-rHE
wTLEs OF NEW-YORK PR0CUREsS "A

SIhANGE ESCAfE.
The story which follows is the best evidence
OF the truthuness OF statements put forth in recent ar
tee published in THE TRIBUNE under the head of The
Vlest Of Women" The and address OF the victim
Withheld out of respect TO the wishes OF her friends
but will be furnished at this Office to any OF the officers
ofjustce who may wish to investigate the case
At about 1890 a of the day Of the German Peace
Jubilee April lO girl, II years of age residing IN
the east side of the city, left her home accompanied
by two Of her acquaintances to witness the procession
They secured position Broadway. opposite the City
Hall, where they remained until long halt took place
from blockade distance up the street Becoming
wearied Of waiting, and believing that the pageant must
be near its end they walked down 20 Barcayst where
they crossed Broadway and passed up Parkrow and
Chatham-st to Chatham-square Here her two COM
panions left her. She remained, however until the
throng of wagons footmen and equesrans had ali gone
downtown, when she walked down Oliverst. to Madi-
where she had TO tea at the house OF
old playmate. She remained there until o'clock In
the evening, when she started for home. She
had made tho trip several times before, and
felt perfectly safe. The hustle and hum
of the afternoon had scarcely subsidized and the German
bcergardens teemed with life Her route lay through
Pike-s TO Dvison-st, and thence up Orchard-st. to
Avenue A. The greater part of the journey had been
accomplished when she reached place where large
crowd was assembled in OF a ta white house. In
the street erected large opanting OF King VIII
liam, which sturdy German, equipped as Uhan,
kept watch. The house was brilliantly lighted and illu-
minated the outside with Chinese lanterns. There
music in the house and the sound OF dancing, and she
halted for moment in the street to listen and admire
In moment two two handsome. well-dresscd
women approached and spoke very kindly 10 her. One
tall and fair the other quite pory, and older The
girl thinks that they aighted from close carriage
which she had slowly driving along the street The
taller of the spoke to her of the merits Of the
portrait and praised the parade of the day. Learning
that she had been standing in the and dust all day.
and that she felt quite faSued, the elder woman re-
marked that she looking very weak, and that she
would better get drink Of water.
Entirely unsusp.cious, the girl walked several blocks
with them, until they TO iron drinking fountain
where the elderly had presented her with cup
OF water drank She says she did not notice any
peculiar taste in the water but that in few seconds she
began grow drowsy and weak IL from the effects of
an opate The two took her between them tell
ing that she should be taken directly home She was
too numb TO any opposition They hurried her up
for about 10 minutes and then turned TO the left
into quiet street. along which they hasened and soon
reached wide street, looking TO the bewildered girl
very much like avenue The party finally halted he
fore large brownstone hghstoop house. Tire girl re-
covered herself sufficiently notice that all the houses
rear were OF fine external appearance many with small
yards 'front.' She instantly told them that this house
not her home, and refused to enter They suddenly
placed large handkerchief over hermouth and n0sirs
when she tainted away and remained unconscious until
| the next morning.
The girls account of her offerings Is given from this
point in her words:
About 10 O'Clock the next morning awOke in a large
back parlor the first floor, with large windows look
ing out into a small yard ying sofa, and at
my side tanning me, sat tall portly lady She was
very fair dark-buc eyes and very low forehead
covered prouson of fase black hair under which
at temples small patches of gray were visible She
wore silk wrapper and an abundance of jewelry.
asked where was, and IL my mother was in the
oh . 40.
before Upon my wanting to know how that could oc-
eur after dark she remarked that had faiute ia front
OF the house. (She afterward said the ainng occurred
near Tompkins-square) When told that my mother bad
been sent for much relieved and feeling perfectly
safe in the company OF such nclOOking old lady, lay
still and dozcd till noon.
Upon again awakening ] found myself alone i'm the
same room but seeing a bellcord the window,
pulled it, and stout lady again entered / Instantly
asked if my mother had come. NO" she said; land
Won need not expect 20 her. for she can never cone
here" begged to lie told the reason hut she remained
silent then burst into tears, and, telling her that my
moor mother would be almost Wild about me, besOught
her TO release The woman-or, as she afterward
proved to be- "the madam "-became excited, and eN-
claimed "You might as well make up your mind that
YOU viii never get of this house, and upon my ask
ing the reason glny remarked 81 viii tell next
week"
Then for the first time, the awful reality burst upon
me that was a doomed girl. I spIang TO my feet put
on my hat and shawl, which had been lying on chair
since my entrance At this the began 10 laugh
in a mocking tone and demanded what was about to
do told her was teTmined to quit the house, and
instantly stepping to the open window, jumped into the
ward with a loud scream. Tile lot Enclosed by
high board fence. I instantly seized by three
women who came from tine back basement, and having
bound handkerchief my mouth, they dragged me
into the house and upstairs to the second floor The
mistress Of the house followed closely after and when
the women had pushed me into a large back room,
was left alone with her. "when viii you try that
again ~ she ieerngly asked me- "You are now In
room from which you cannot escape" She went out,
and after carefully locking the door, could hear her
retreatins footsteps upon the stairs.
THE PRISON ROOM.
then looked around the room. noticed that the
windows were barred with strong ron-wire grating
placed between the sash and the shutters The door
of black walnut and very heavy. The room was mag
nlfcently furnished grand piano stood in corner
and the upholsterng all in crimson velvet. A
marble centre-tablc placed directly under gas
chandelier handsome dressing-case which, like the
bedsead was Of solid rosewood, stood against the WALL
and an inlaid writing desk was placed between the two
windows OF the room.
Having succeeded, after several attempts, in raising
the window, i began to scream The mistress again
entered and, being very strong, seized and threw me
upon the bed and thrust handkerchief into nay mouth
until was almost suffocated She even threatened to
gag me- and after having tied me to the bedstead to
leave me there till should promise to keep still
Seeing no other way Of present torment agreed to
he ouet whereupon she removed the gag and released
her grasp upon my wrists. After closing the window,
she left me.
The tall woman OF the evening before then entered,
dressed in lavender silk wrapper, trimmed with
white lace and wearing breastpin set IN rubes, from
which depended gold watch chain. She looked even