Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-01-21
CASE OF CRUELTY.
A Little Negro Boy Horribly Treated
Tied Up By the Thumbs, Beaten and
IDrenehed with Salt Water.


From the Knoxville Chronicle, Jan. 10.
On Monday last Alex. Washington, alias
Brown and his wife, cOlored, were brought
before Julius OChs, ESQ.,, w. F. Yardley,
ESQ. appearing as prosecutor in behalf OF
John Houston and against the parties above
named for cruel treatment of the latter.
The parties were found guilty and bound
over to appear before tie Criminal Court.
Yesterday afternoon we went to see little
colored bOv named John Houston, al the
house of Mrs. Grace Sliger, an old colored
woman, who lives near Bellevue street,
North Knoxville.
The boy was lying on bed and rested
very uneasily, every movement OF the bed
clothing or of his limbs being accompanied
with acute pain. He was covered with sores
and scars from head to foot, and was wasted
almost to a skeleton. On the back OF his
head was a large sore, while his side and
back bore the marks of severe beatings.
His father is named John Houston, ana
since his mothers death in September last,
he has been living with his halt-uncle and
aunt, Alex. Washington, alias Brown, who
seem to have been actuated by the most
fiendish malice in their treatment OF the
child. Before he was beaten, he was a
bright, intelligent boy, but now he IS lying
perfectly helpless, and it is doubtful If he
ever recovers, and even if he does he will
probably be cripple for life
The beating is said to have occurred "a
the house on the southeast corner OF Main
and Prince streets, about Christmas, little
over three weeks ago, though until Mon
day nothing was said about it, the boys in
iuries being such as to prevent his removal
previously.
Considering the boys age, it is 4 source of
surprise that or did not die under the
dreadful beatings and punishment to which
he was subjected. The climax Of cruelty
was reached during the holidays, when, al
ter being whipped, he was knocked down
and kicked on the leg, GislOcating his knee,
we are told, tied up by the thumbs and lie t
hanging for several hours, and his lacerated
BODY wet with salt water and pepper, and
in addition rubbed with CreOsOte. Such
barbarity is almost incredible, yet the pitt
able condition of the child speaks for itself
more eloquently than his feeble tongue.
The conduct of the wretch in Illinois,
who whipped her child TO death, was mild
compared to this instance, which exhibits
a degree of fiendishnesS that savages would
blush over.
We are told by the cOlOred people at
whose house he now i5, that the gentleman
who went the bail of the fiends was miSled,
the woman having been house servant in
his family during the days Of slavery.
Our information is derived from what we
deem reliable sources, and we hope that
Justice will be done and that the severest
punishment of the law will be meted out
to the guilty parties, whoever they may be.
1t is a crime that is gradually becoming
more common, and unless checked, the life
of no unprotected child is safe. Cases Of
this nature arouse the indignation Of any
community, and as the law is no respecter
of persons, punishment should await all
who forget humanity in the commission OF
these diabOlical crimes.