The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-05
CRUEL MRS. COATES"

A Baby Exposed on q Hearth Rug In an
Open Yard for tho "Bene6t OF Its
Health"-The Woman Sentenced to
Three Months Imprisonme nt-Pite0us
Appeal Of Her Brother for Mcrcy-Dr.
Whites Idea Of Baby Farming.
Mrs. Sarah Coates, of 2o5 East Sixty-third street,
was arraigned before Justices Bixby McQuade and
Shandley, at Special Sessions yesterday, charged
with cruel and inhuman treatment Of q child leftin
her care.
Abel J. Cross of LOTT Third avenue; william A.
Davis and Ira E. Doyle OF 2o3 East Sixty third street.
testified that they lived in the adjoining house to
Mrs. Coates and the child left IN the yard in
clothes basket, with nothing but rug under it, al
various times during the month Of July from
early in the morning until twelve O'Clock at night;
on the 25th of July Abel j. Cross went before Judge
BiXby, at the Yorkville Police Court, and made
complaint; and warrant was issued, upon which
she was arrested.
Detective Thomas Levins. OF the Nineteenth pre-.
cinct, went to Mrs. Coates house and found the
child as described,
LYING IN BASKET
in the yard. exposed to the rays OF the sun, With
very little of any covering upon 1t. He testified
that there four other children, two Of them IN
chairs and two OF them in wagons, also in the yard
at the same time. Mrs. Coates made some resist
ance when he was about to take away the chidi
when she was informed 1t was by order OF the
Court she submitted. She was also arrested at the
time, and subsequently bailed out.
The child was in a very delicate state OF neaitn
az aaI sne Of , " died on the et Of August
Ofcer Philips, OF the Nineteenth precinct testi-
fed to the same state OF facts ,.onao,
Mr. Nesbit, counsel Tor the prisoner, cohtenueu
that the child was exposed
BY DIRECTION OF DR.. WHITE,
n physician and asked for an Adjournment
IN order to produce him to give his tesu
mony. The application was not granted: mrs.
Mary HIrsbergeG ana Mr. mrs cdatss were
as witnesses in defence, and testified that MIS-:
Coates was uniformly kind to the child, ana tna nav
IL was merely an exposure under the order OF the
physician. Mrs Coates was then sworn In her
own benaif She said The child was born In my
SST and the left ner in my since
received but SIS towards Its support, but nave
treated it as well as possibly knew now ana
for its own benefit as the child very delicate.
she was cross-examined by Judge Blxby as to
great deal OF hesitation, that 1t was the Ospring
of a woman named Mary Cotton, who Is now travel.
ling with Barnums troupe as Sas bas g
an OFFER OF q good salary to personate the Circas.
sian Girl, she went away shortly after her connne-
men [ and left the child in her charge
Onicers Levins and Phillips, who were again
called TO the stand To describe
THE CONDITION OF THE CHILD,
were very positive IN their declarations as to the
miserable state they found the infant in In respect
to clothing, NC.
After a long consultation between the mags-
trates, Judge Bixby said-"Mrs. Coates, the Court
ind you guilty, and, as we think 1t an aggravated
case sentence you 10 three months In the Peniten-
tiary."
AS soon as the sentence was delivered. Mrs.
Coates threw up her hands and cried out, II am
innocent am innocent ' She called on ner
brother who was present, caught him py the
hand, and scene OF weeping and walllng NOT
often seen in the precincts Of court room ensueu
between the pair
Mrs. Coates Is woman about tniry-nve years
OF age light clear compile xion, large, clear blue
eyes and light hair. she has mild expression Oh
countenance, but withN very determined.
The brother who is o tall man, with large plonde
whiskers and who
wEpT LIKE CHILD,
came forward and made plteous appeal TO the
Judges Tor clemency after the sentence had been
pronounced.
Counsellor Nesbit asked the Court days grace
as ne was going to sue out writ OF certtprar1
/ which was grated.