The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-08-22
Horrible Oartroges ;n an Orphan
-iSytUE1.

The Dubuque Herald of last Tuesday
morning publishes n long account of what
il characterizes as the most horrible crime
that has come to light in northern Iowa in
wears. 1t says rumors of ii came to hand
last week, but they were of SO shocking a
nature that it declined to publish them,
thourh well authenticated. until it sent n
special reporter to the scene, who instituted
a personal investigation into The facts.
The result it now publishes;
At Andrew, the capital Of Jackson coun-
tv. TWENTY-FIVE miles south of this city, is
a private orphan asylum, established IN
1864. for the reception and care of orphans
and destitute children not over twelve
wears of age. to give them n Christian
home until they are of age. 1t has been
under the charge Of the Lutherans, and It's
head officer, or warden, was Rev. j. NJ.
Schueller. a German, who came to this
country about eighteen years ago. At the
legislative session of 1872 Schueller Oh
taincd an appropriation Of three hundred
dollars in aid of his institute. He has al
wavs stood high and enjoyed the HnliIn-
tied confidence of the entire community.
About Eve years ago his wife died, and it
seems that not long after that event he
commenced a systematic course of seduc-
ton of little girls under his charge. The
first victim. so far as known, was a little
GIRL twelve or fourteen years Of age, who
had been driven to the asylum by the un-
h3ppy domestic relations of her parents.
For a cause not assigned by SchueIler she
was turned out of the institution and taken
to live with some very respectable people
in the country, near Andrew, to whom she
related her story. The people she lived
with expressed Indignation, and made con-
siderable talk against Schnelerin in Andrew.
Hut the citizens generally maintained that
a man of his high morality was innocent
OF such a thing, and no attention was paid
to it. Della is now living with her parents
in Des Moines. This was about four years
ago.
/ The Herald then mentioned another
case with great particularly, similar in
character. The horrible and final denou-
ment came about three weeks ago: One
of the girls, named Bertha Ne!lis, fifteen
years of age, went to the matron and Sald
She wanted to leave the asylum, but re
fused to assign any reason. cn beng
closely pressed and threatened With pun
iShment If she did not give her reason, she
finally confessed that it was on account of
Mr.. Schueler's conduct towards the girls.
She then related the particulars of how he
had seduced several of the little girls, and
had made various attempts upon her, but
had been so far unsuccessful. The matTOn
promised to inquire into the matter, bat
the warden was that day absent. On his
return the matTon called upon HIM and
asked for her pay. as size proposed to
leave. On asking her reason she frankly
told him what She had heard. He was
dumb for moment, but finally recover
ing, confessed all, and promised if she
would stay to take care Of the children he
would himself leave. BY her advice he
went at once 10 Galcua. sought al inter
view with Rev. Mr.. KlintwOod, a minister
at that place. and President Of the asylum
directory. and to him confessed all. This
gentleman was Mortified at the revelations,
and demanded that Schueller should al
once resign and leave. This he did, and
Rev Mr. Rembold. of Bellevue, one Of the
directory. took charge of the institution.
SChucller left Andrew at four - clock on
Monday morning a week ago, III company
with his daughter, direct for New oTl.,
and thence to Europe, and he is probably
on the ocean at this time. The victims OF
Schue}ler, as far as can he asccrtaincd ut
present. are six little girls ranging from
eight to fourteen years of age.
Schucller is man of fine personal ap-
pcarancc, of scarcely medium height,
heavy built and dark complexion, with
glossy black hair, flowing beard, rivalinG
the raven 5 wing in hue, and clean shaven
upper lip, n nose rather approaching the
Gquilinc, and sharp, laughing black eyes.
He is a man of unusual educational ac-
Quirements and great natural ability.
What will he the final result Is not known,
but all regret that Schueller has escaped
the clutches of the law.