The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-02-20
The Cossvi!le Investigation.
Special Correspondence Pittsburg Commercial
HUNTINGDON, Pa, Feb. IA, 1874.


HUNTINGDON, Pa, Feb. IA, 1874.
The Joint Committee of the two Houses
Of the Legislature, 20 investigate the Cass-
vile scandal, closed it's lahoTs here on last
Tuesday night, and returned to Harris
burps | have only time to give you brief
resume Of the testimony.
On Monday evening Miss Handcuff was
examined, and testified that Guss drew
her into his office, one evening, when she
was between thirteen and fourteen years
of ace. pulled her upon his lap, pressed
her to his bosom, and offered her other in
diouities She complained of this to one
of the female employees, and by her assist
ance a letter was sent to her father, who
nromptlv sent the guardians of the child
+, demand her, but she was not yielded
mn. a short time afterwards, she was
taken into a room before Justice of the
Peace. and frightened into swearing that
her charges was not correct. Again, when
she was approaching sixteen, he lured her
TO the woods, and, when the coast was
clear threw her to the ground and endeav-
ored 10 accomplish his vile purpose. Twice,
subseouently, he made similar attempts.
She also stated that one of the girls was
encfente and that she was obliged to wear
the witness clothes, who was much
larger-sized girl. The boys would twit
this poor creature while reciting in class,
Guss. She stated that there were con-
slant reports Of his familiarity with the
girls.
Mrs. Haudcuff corroborated her daugh-
ter's statement in regard to receiving the
letter, etc.
A lady from Altoona, who had been en-
ployed at the establishment. stated that
She frequently saw girls from her room
coming out of Guss's room, late at night.
-; eli, IN, tlni hands ShA
said that reports of familiarity were con-
stantlv flyimg around the establishment.
Mr.. Owens. who had formerly been
teacher, gave similar testimony, and stated
that he had frequently seen Guss with some
one of the girls on the cars.
Miss Louisa Pope stated that she had
gone to his room TO ask permission to go
to visit her uncle, in company with one OF
tho girls. Guss said he was busy writing
a sermon. He called her to him and asked
her if she could keep y secret. She, think
ing it was something in reference to the
school, said she could. He then endeav-
ored to seduce her. She said she would
cry out, and he opened the spring lock and
allowed her to retire. She complained inn
mediately. The matron and others cor
roborated her statement as near as posi-
be.
Mrs. Funk stated that he called her into
his room and asked her if she could keep
a secret, and when she told him that she
could, he endeavored to accomplish his
vile purpose.
Within few weeks he took y Justice
of the Peace to this witness, and endeav-
oIed to make her swear that the statements
which she had made were untrue. He in
sisted on her not to come to the investiga-
tion. She was corruborated by other wit
nesses.
DIR. Isaac Guss. formerly physician to
the school, stated that one of the teachers
told him that there were half dozen com
plants by young girls at one time, and
that the Professor was constantly charged
with criminality with a number of girls
named by the witness. He also stated that
Guss was frequently seen riding about the
country with his arms around the large
girls that there was no effort to conceal
his lecherous motives.
Judge Clarkson stated that there WAS
frequent rumors of the criminalty of Guss;
that he (Clarkson) saw him in the cars with
a whole car full of small girls, and selected
the largest one and put her on his lap, and
caresssd aud fondled her.
George McEldowney stated that he saw
Guss in the ironing room with his arms
about one of tho girls in the corner he
saw Guss and one of the larger girls com
ing out of the stable about eight o'clock
st night, and also went to his Office on one
occasion and found Kim locked in with one
of the girls.
This is only portion Of the testimony,
softened down to suit publication, but it
ought to be enough. STYLUS.