The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-20
A REVOLVING RECITAL.
Horrible Case Of Inhumanity
and Negligence.
Young Woman Forced to Attend Smallpox
Patent-Takes the Disease aad il Sent Into
the Wilderness to Die and Be Eaten
by Cats Dogs and Rats-No Off,
eial Care or Attention.
M,pplrrowN. N. Y. June 10. 1872.

MiDpLErOwN, N. ", June 10, 1872
Agar or so since young girl, giving her name
az Mary Butler came to Unonville, village on the
Midland Railroad, about twelve miles from here
looking for situation as domestic. She said she
was alone in the world, and, getting no employ
ment, she formed an acquaintance with man
named Seecy, a laborcr, and lived with him as his
wife, although 1t is not known that they were ever
married Notwithstanding great cruelty on the part
OF the man toward the girl she chung to him with that
singular a1ection characteristic or wemen OF her
class. few weeks ago a lady living at Gardiner
vile, near UniOnvile, attacked with smallpox,
and no one being found to take care OF her, liberal
offers were made by her friends for person to
act IN the capacity OF nurse.
FORCED ON TO DEATH.
Against the earnest wish ana protest Of the girl
above mentioned, Sceley compelled her to risk her
life at the bedside OF the smallpox victim, for
the sake Of getting possession OF the money offered.
The girl attended the lady throughout her illness,
domestic In the family OF Mr.. Asa Smith.
short time thereafter symptoms Of smallpox
seeleys house. He refused to have her there,
and she was then taken to q lonely ruined
house on the drained lands' In the woods, and
left. The house had no fiOOr the windows were
out, and not n door to shut out rain or shine.
sEELgys BRUTALITY.
The authorities sought for some to attend
but no one could be found except seeley
who was willing to accept the position, and ne
only did SO In consideration Of $50 paid
the house, and no one. heard or saw any
thing OF him again until Friday last when he came
to the village and
SAID THE GIRL WAS DEAD.
His appearance in the town Just from
the house OF pestilence and death Gre
ated general CONSERVATION, and he was given
q new suit OF clothes ana dlsinfectants ana told
to depart. He left, and his whereabouts are un-
known. The body OF the unfortunate girl laid In
the house, at the mercy OF cats, dogs ana rats,
which had free ingress to the ruin, IN TIL last night
| when persons were found with humanity and
| courage sufficient 10 proceed to the house and
GIVE THE BODY BURIAL
in the wilderness. This was accomplished with
great difficulty for obvious reasons. The body had
been mutiated by some animal or animals, and
several cats were frightened of at the approach OF
the burying party, but lurked around and followed
| the remains to the spot where they were buried.
This Is one OF the most shocking cases ever known
here, and it has excited general comment and exc
Grafton. Nothing positive IL known about the I'M
| fortunate Mary Buffers history. She was bright
and intelligent and about twenty years OF age.
Great apprehension exists that the pestilence will
be spread by the dogs and cats throughout the
neighb0rhood, and the mind Of the community Is
| far rom being easy.