New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-09-24

Inc NOW xOfK dETOt0 reports the f00u
Of an interview in reference to the trea
ment of the little boy who died, by whic
it appears that he was obtained in Nev
Orleans:
Already accusing witnesses have begu
to throw their testimony into the scale 9
guilt against this man and woman. One Q
them, Mr. H. d. Gu,on, of the Glob
Theatre, wrote to the Herald, stating tina
he had, few months ago, performed in tn
same company with Monsieur and Madam
D'Atalie-the man with the iron jaw an
the strong w0man-and that he was, there
fore. able to furnish some information upo1
the subject of their crimes which might b
of general interest. A reporter of tn
Herald therefore called in at the theatre
and, after rehearsal, had quite an instruc
| tive conversation with this gentleman il
| this connection.
| ''Where did you first see those people
Mr.. Guionw inquired the reporter.
"At St. Louis, few months ago. The,
| were engaged to perform in Spalding &
Bidwells company, and / was q member o
the same combination. l boarded at til,
same hotel with them-the Sinclair House
The boy they had with them then, how
ever, is not the poor little fellow who ha
been starved to death, if the report in til,
Herald be true, as have no doubt it isl
"What kind Of boy had they, and how
did they treat him -
''They treated him very cruelty. He was
a bright little fellow, of five or six years O.
age. and had served an apprenticeship t.
misery and privaton as a newsbOy. l useC
to often chat with him, and we became quite
friendly. He was at first pretty careful as
to what he would say, being no doubt fear
full that it might make his place still harder
it it came to the ears Of his employers that
he had been spreading abroad reports of his
ill-trcatment. Still, little by little, partly
from his own lips, and partly also by ques
tlons that put to the servants of the hotel
l discovered that he was shamefully
abused, and that he was nearly starved to
DEATH"
"What was the motive for this illtreat.
ment ?"
We'll. if you were to see Monsieur
DAtalie's performance you would under
stand that he wants very light weight in
deed IN his performance. This man. among
other feats. is raised to the roof of the thea
tire simply by molar power
"Molar pOwer-what is that!'
by the power of his mOlar teeth. He takes
a rope in his mouth, makes the child who
performs with him take a striking pose on
his breast by means of q leather strap, and
Is then hoisted up to the ceiling. The effect
Of the child is very good; always brings
down the house; but l always thought it a
burning shame that he should be thus per-
United to risk the poor little creatures neck
as well as his own. l suppose it wouldn't
be any very great loss if he were to acct
dentally break his leg or lose his life. but
the child ought not to have been thus en-
dangered. But you can see that this trick
could not be performed with heavy infant
He is obliged to have child four or five
years old. and, once in his power, it is his
interest to keep him as long a. possible, so
as not to have the trouble of training a
fresh subject. So he starves the poor little
creatures-starves them systematically. lest
they should grow too much for his strength.
1t Is . hideOus thing, but there can be no
doubt that this pair have been trading in
that way for years
DO you remember any specific acts of
cruelty inflicted upon this boy ;"
They all three slept in one room. and
the poor little fellow had for his only bed a
pile of filthy linen Even the chambermaids
spoke of it. Then he had nothing to eat
except few scraps from thekitchen They
watched every morsel he ate, and were
very careful that he never got a square
neal"
What did the boy himself say about it,
He felt very bad, but said he would
stand it a little longer. as his parents were
very poor. and he was willing to suffer
while if they only gave his people good pay
for it, which they did. don't think they
beat this child much. Perhaps he was
afraid to 60 home, lest his parents should
i'll treat him for throwing up such a good
job He would thus have stood between
two fires
What kind of people to look at are
Monsieur and Madame D'Atalie!"
The Man with the Iron Jaw is one Of the
handsomest men l have ever seen. He is a
little above the middle height. with fine
eyes. we'll formed features, black hair and
aid a rather pleasant expression
Of face. Both he and his wife are French
by nationality. The Strong Woman weighs
a very handsome woman. She is quite beau
titul. and she also looks pretty amiable to
the outside world, though l dare say she
has looked repulsive though to her victims.
! believe she is the more guilty of the two.
but the man must encourage it, Of course.
How did they behave to the rest Of the
oh they were pleasant enough. what
little they had to do with us. They were
rather reserved, though, and did not mix
Freely with anyone. They only spoke broken
English
did you keep with them after they left
st. Louis'"
'Ies, went with the company down as
ar as New Orleans. 1t was there that
| Atalie picked up the boy that he is said to
rave starved. He found the one he had in
It. Louis too heavy, and while we stayed in
New Orleans he and his wife gained the
Of an English widow lady, who
vas the mother of this last unfortunate
10Y. They promised, no doubt, a pretty
;ood sum OF money, and gave assurances
ho knv owl <rao Al r.
yell"
What kind of a boy was he p
"A pretty little fellow. with light hair
md fair complexion and delicate features
saw the parting between him and his I
mother when the D'Atalies took him away. !
he scene was heartrending, and nUw after
his sad ending to it, shall never forget it, |
here was the mother. nice, respectable |
boxing lady. dressed in black, sobbing over
er boy as if her heart would break. and |
egging these wretches to treat him we'll |
DON after that l came to New York, and |
he D'Atalles joined O'Brien's menagerie."
How much about do you think the |
Atalles got for an engagement p
II don't know exactly, but should jud ge
bout two hundred dollars week"
When did they first come to this cOun-
~ e.
IL think about year ago, with Colville's
arletles. My impression is that they APP
cared fist in Boston. They had with them
little boy they had brought from Paris, as
ney said; but, as it turned out afterward,
eally from somewhere in England. When
ley. got to Philadelphia their ill-treatment
this boy nearly caused his death: and
hen 1t came to the ears of the authorities
ley were arrested, and only escaped 10y
'mPins, their bail. The boy remained in
nc hands of the authorities The Man with
10 Iron Jaw was sick for some time after
lat, and on recovery procured another boy
ad started performing again, ultimately
lining Spalding & Bidwell's company. /