The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-10
BUSINESS IN THE OTHER COURTS.
Controversy About Hoop Iron-suit to Recover
Duties-sending Dry Goods to a Butchers
Shop-Trials, Convictions and Ac-
quittals in the General sessions.
ALLEGED BRUTALITY TO A CHILD.

novelist there are at times revealed in our courts
incidents from real lie greatly SURPRISING
In their touching details the farthest reach OF
Imagination. The trouble is, they are not often
brought to light. but, in the. mighty, sweeping
undercurrenr OF the busy bustling life Of great
city like ours, now with the swelling human tide
into the broad ocean OF the unlathomable and the
unknown. Occasionally wall floats to the sur
face and kindly, angelic hands take it in charge,
and the story OF its suferings and wrongs is then
made known. In Supreme Court, Chambers
yesterday morning, but little heed was paid
to the keenly subtle arguments Of lawyers upon
motions ana counter motions being heard by Judge
Lawrence. The attention OF nearly every one was
directed to
SINGULAR GROUP
IN the rear Of the courtroon,-a group worthy the
pencil OF Rcubens or the sculptured marble OF
Powers. Its central figure was little girl seated
In char ana holding about her o lap robe. Her
face was pale and the features moulded into lines
or rare and exquisite beauty. Such eyes are rarely
seen In q cniid-so large, so dark and so wonder
ing in their expression. In every llneamcnt OF the
face could be read suffering and its infantie fresh
ness was lnarred by marks OF fresh cuts and
bruises; but she smiled and with her tiny hands
smoOthed back from her forehead her wealth Of
brown hair one almost forgot these and the feeling
OF reused Indignation burning within at thought
OF possible cruelty to one so young ana fair and
fragile. As She smiled she looked, indeed, "a
thing Of beauty, joy forever" BY her side SAT
Bergh, the one and only Bergh, lie OF humanitarian
fame A noble enthusiasm seemed to fill his soul,
q nObler fire to kinde in his eye Majestic as he
always is, he looked more majestic than ever The
energy OF greater future. moreover, threw d
seeming halo about his brow. His thoughts had
taken higher flight, grander purpose inspired
him. He looked the ideal OF benevolent neroismi.
Avn tbofx BRAT,
wrought out problem farther reaching than
horses and cats and dogs ana pigeon
shooting and cock nghting and rat pits.
Directly in front of him was his counsel, Mr..
Gerry. His lace did not wear the stereotype,
hard, legal look. He had look that meant bust.
middle-agcd lazy, dressed in black, put sweet
and tender eXpr ssion mantling her features
just such face as would look Tor IN army hos
pitfalls and cities beslesed by pestlence. Three
omcers completed the group-Detectives Dusen-
bury and McDougal. Of Police Headquarters, and
Onicer Evans, attached to the Society Tor the Pre-
ventlon OF Cruelty to Animals.
"What means all thisr" several asked Mr. Gerry.
something that will make your blood boil when
you hear the facts" was all that could he elected
curiosity, but the crowd in attendance did not
have to wait long before the facts were made
known.
MEANING OF The GROUP EXPLAINED
vanced TO the railing in font the Judges bench
aud announced how, pursuant to writ granted
by His Honor, he mad brought the little girl INTO
court, the barbarous treatment oil whom was re-
cited In the petition OF Mr.. Bergh. He then went
on to explain low Mr.. Charles G. Wheeler, having
gone to visit dying woman on the upper floor OF
street. the latter called attention 70 freqaentiy
hearing the most agonizing snrieks from a child
being beaten IN an adjoining room, and that she
that this child was subjected to such
torture without something being done to put
Wheeler inquired among the neighbors aud found
that Francis and Mary Connolly, with whom the
child lived, had said she was not their child: that
the child had been habitually locked in their room,
had been beaten cruelty, had been left without
SHOES OF stockings anu Almost without clothing
about the child and asked advice Of many VINO had
NO advice to give, TIL she came to Henry Bergh,
Who not as President or the society, but as a
citizen, had at once taken up the cause and made
petition, in somewhat unusual proceeding Tor
the Court, to inquire as to proper custodian Ior
the child.
"Are Francis ana Mary Connolly in Courts''
"They are not,n answered Mr.. Gerry; II did not
think It necessary to have them heie at TINS stage
''ShOuld not the parents Of the child be notifedi'
sfrom what nave been able to learnr replied
wish to be known. MIR. Kellock, OF the Commits
sioners OF Charities and Correction Bureau placed
the enid with these people some years ago.n
Testimony will nave to be taken In the case,n
said Judge Lawrence, Ito verify the allegations
N onI M Wheeler ana the
child" answered MIR. Gerry, land ask that both
be sworn"
MYSTERIES AND MIsERIEs OF THE METROPOLIS
The little child was now carried by O1lcer Evans
up to the Judge for him TO examine into her fitness
to be sworn. AS the laprobe was removed and the
wee wall, so slender and delicate and with no
shoes or stockings on, and only scant and ragged
calico dress ana chemise to cover ner nakedness
and marks OF bruises covering her tender limbs
stood BY The Judges side thrill OF horror and
dignation filed the breast OF every beholder. The
Judge examined her at some length, putting his
questions IN a low and inaudble voice. IL ind
her unusually bright" said the Judge; ..Dut
derstand the nature OF an oath, and | cannot
THE cHILD's STATEMENT
child's unsworn statement was taken down as fol-
lows:--My name is Mary Ellen Mccormack; don't
know how old am; my mother and father are
both dead: have no recollection OF a time when
did not live with the Connollys; call Mrs. Con-
molly mamma; have never had but one PAIR OF
Shoes but can't recollect when that was; / have
no shoes or stockings on this winter; have never
Connoliys live except in the night time, and then
only in the yard; have never had on particle
Of sune my bed at night +, is only piece
meath q window, AID l. sleep in my
little undergarlnent, with quit over me; | am
never allowed to play with any children or have
any company whatever; mamma (Mrs. Connolly
has been in the habit OF whipping and beating me
twisted whip-a rawhiae; the whip always lett
black and blue marks on my body; l have now on
81 nMo pacx ana e e W cn on We're
left side Of my forehead which was made by
pair OF scissors in mammals hand; she struck
me with the scissors and cut me; l have no
recollection OF ever having been kissed, ana
have never been kissed ny mamma l. have
never been taken Oh my mammals lap or
caressed or petted; l never dared speak to
anybody, because il did would get whipped; !
never have had, to my recollection, any more
clothing than have on as present, calico dress
and skirt; have seen stockings and other clothes
IN our room, but am not allowed 10 put them on;
whenever mamma went out was locked up IN the
Dedroom; the PAIR OF scissors with which mamma
S'r nnn me are those now shown me by Mr.. Evans
dont Know Tor what was whipped; mamma
never ny, sald anything to me when sue whipped me;
uO not want to go back to live with mamma, be-
cause she beats me SO; have no recollection Of
ever being IN the street IN my life.
rno IhohouGH EXAMINATION OF THE CASE.
Inc examination. was here adjourned till this
morning the child meantime being committed to
Suc cure Oh the natron at Police Headquarters.
ouSpEsnas were Issued for the attendance OF Mr..