New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-09-18

A LITTLE GIRL NEARLY TORTURED TO
DEATH-Kidnapped and Outragcd.-Tues-
day evening information was furnished
Captain Malone, third police precinct,
that little girl, six or seven years
old, had been brutally treated by Charles
Burgess and wife, at No. l36 Bienville
street. Corporal Ferand aud Officer Ash
port repaired to the house and there OBJ
sained further particulars, more than con-
$lrming the first statement.
The house is two-story and attic brick,
and in the upper story lives Charles Buzz
CESS alias Charles Walkers. his wife. and
little girl, whose name is Louisa Caroline
Burning. Burgess says he is harness
maker, and came here recently to obtain
employment, but it is known that occa-
eionally he performs minor parts on concert
saloon stages. He says he obtained the
girl from her mother at Cairo. The child
denies this, asserting that Burgess kid
capped her. However, that is only q mat
ser for consideration hereafter.
People who live in the BRnville str
house we're aware that Burgess and "
.sreated the girl in most brutal manner,
and it was a subject of general comment
tuesday evening Caroline ran down stairs
Iand hid under a bed, almost insane from
fright. Burgess followed quickly, and on
bringing her out began beating herr Cor
porai Ferand was outside the door, and
when apprised of the case, determined to
arrest the man. The fellow asslfmed some
airs, but went to prison the. quicker for
chat. The child was carried to the station
house W hen it was discovered that almost
every portion of her body bore evident signs
of brutal treatment At the time of the
mans arrest the wife was not at home, but
ON arriving was told that her husband had
been arrested for something, and that she
had better go and see about him. She took
Che bait and was arrested at the lookup. The
g irl was closely questioned concerning the
bruises on her body, but refused to give any
explanation. As soon as Burgess and wife
were placed in cells the child showed dis
position to tell her sad story to the officers.
She says that, Burgess, whose name is
Walkers, found her on the Cairo levee one
clay and with presents of candies induced
her to go on a steamboat with him. Her
mother lives in Cairo and has two other
children. She came here with Burgess and
his wife, but Is too young to fully under
stand her situation. She says he treated
her cruelty on many occasions and often
tied her up by thumbs and toes. Marks on
those members seem to verify that state
ment, and signs of beatings are all over her
body. Portions of hair have been pulled
out by the roots, and her wrists are lace
rsIed as if from tightly tied ropes.
The poor little thing told her sad story
failed to speak of the worst feature in the
history, and perhaps never would have
mentioned anything about it had not Dr.
Cooper yesterday made the discovery. She
has been grossly violated, and now states
that Burgess is the hend.
She is a well proportional child, unusual
ly intelligent for her age, OF fair complexion
and quick perception. As her physical con-
dition was critical it became necessary to
give her the best of care. Mrs. Kelley, wife
Of the janitor of the Central Boys High
School, learned of the case and kindly vol
unteered to take temporary charge OF the
youthful unfortunate. DR.. Cooper visited
the child and made close examination OF
her body, when he made the awful DIS
covery mentioned above. he says tnere can
be no doubt about it.
Notwithstanding the fact that she has
been so cruelty treated and for days fed on
bread and water while tied up, she is toler-
ably healthy and her spirit is not broken.
If one bali her narrative is true, the torture
she underwent was sufficient TO kill almost
anybody. The statements made by her are
generally believed.
Burgess, whether innocent or guilty,
would naturally try to make himself out an
injured person. He says that the chld's
mother gave her to him in Cairo. she being
too poor to support herself at washing for
a dollar week. He acknowledges that he
beat her occasionally, because she was very
bad, but all he says, II true, would not war.
rant him in such treatment as it is apparent
the child received. He denies having raw
ished the girl, but no one is inclined to ac-
cept his word. He and his wife were ar
raigned before Judge Staes yesterday, and
he Stood up at the bar looking quite defiant,
while his wife was all tears. As the girl was
in too critical condition to appear and
testify. the court remanded Burgess with
out right of bail; the wife was placed under
bonds, but was unable TO furnish even
straw bail. Had the fellow known the
feeling of many people around the court
house he would not have felt secure,
much less defiant. Such unwholesome.,
as, He should be lynched,'
rope is too good for him." "boil him IN
OIL might, mad they reached bis ears:
toned down his lofty style. Both accused
were returned to prison cells, which was
safe place for them just then. when bad
feeling existed among the hundreds OF
people who were lounging around, some OF
whom were willing to organize a string
tand" for Burgess especial amusement.
ALL A MrsrAKE.-So it was no unfit cation