The New York herald., 1874-08-27
SICKENED UNTO DEATH.


Investigation by Coroner Croker-The
Child Dtes-The Teacher Arrested
Post-Mortem Examination.
The death Of Giuseppe Angelina Dueser, little
boy, i've years OF age reported In yesterdays
HERALD, anords another proof that cruelty In
schools Is still at times practised. This little
fellow was OF Italian birth, and his parents have
been residing at No. 4S Park street. The parents
being poor they sent the boy TO school to the Five
Points house of Industry, where for about three
months he was lodged and fed. The boy was OF
very quiet disposition,
LITTLE TIMID AMONG HIS MATES
and without any viciousness whatever. Most OF
these Italian boys are not unlike Giuseppe, DIM
dence always being noticeable in them when
among juvenile Americans, owing, no doubt, to
their imperfect knowledge OF English and TO their
feebleness OF body account OF poverty
Giuseppe was even more timid and retiring than
most other Italian boys. and to this was added on
Sunday an attack OF diarrhoea, which sickness was
visible In the pallor OF the b0ys face all that day.
On Monday morning, shortly alter rising, he was
attacked with the disease suddenly, and the
teacher, Charles Bernhard, ordered him to
the bathroom, but when the Kind-hearted master
had got the boy stripped he used the rattan freely
on his htps and legs, causing the skin to become
BLACK AND BLUE.
The little fellow having been washed, he went
with all the other boys to the reectory for break
last; but before the meal was over the disease
again attacked him, and after breakfast he was
again ordered to the bathroom, whittier the
teacher Bernhard followed him, again using the
rattan over the sick boy's body. Giuseppe cried,
OF course, as any boy would, and having got some
fresh c:0thes On endeavored TO unger out the day,
being, however,
ALMOST UNCONSCIOUS
OF what was passing His face now had become OF
blush color, also mis- reet andathe feebleness OF
his body was evident in every movement he made.
Even the conslderate teacher Bernhard At last
condescended to be Just and 70 admit tnar tue boy
was suffering terribly, though the child was afraid
to make any signs OF his distress on account
Of his mornings experience. Bernhard ordered
another boy. named Henry Smith, q sympathetic
orphan, to help Giuseppe up stairs to bed. smith,
who 10 not more than about eleven years old, TOOK
pital where the matrOn was instructed TO look
alter him. Giuseppe never uttered q word TO his
companion, Smith, while ascending the stairs. nor
did ne speak wnen placed on the bed. Once only
after tnis did he speak, and tnat was when ne
heard his mother's voice beside the bed (sne
having been sent Tor by the conslderate Bernhard,
and then, without opening his eyes, he said,
"IS THAT MY MANMA?n
The mother took her child home later In the even.
ing ana ne died during the night.
The doctor whom the parents had summoned to
attend the child notified Coroner Croker on Tues
DAY morning OF the death and tne circumstances
attending It. Coroner Croker yesterday proceeded
TO investigate the case, and ior this purpose
Points, fearing that there was danger that the
boys who were witnesses OF the cruelty upon
Giuseppe might, before giving their testimony. be
tntimidated by the teachers. On entering the
schoolroom, without any preparatory notice. the
Coroner announced himself to the teacher In
charge, and said be desired to see
SOME OF TIE BOYS WHO HAD SEEN THE BEATING
In the bathroom. "BOys,n said the Coroner,
'whicn OF you saw the teacher beat little Dueser9"
About dozen boys Immediately rose and the Cor
0ner selected three OF the most intelligent look
ing Charles Rache, George Lyons and Henry
Smith, the boy already named as having carried
Giuseppe up to bed, all OF whom are inmates OF
the House OF lndustry-and these he examined as
witnesses. Their testimony was In substance
VINO already had Bernhard arrested and under
lock and key In the sixth precinct station house,
also committed Henry Smith as being the prin-
| cpal witness, but subsequently set the boy at lib
cell until such time as his evidence was wanted,
and this, OF course, would be q punishment Alto
| gether undeserved.
| BERNHARD COMMITTED.
At the Sixth precinct station house the Coroner
| had Bernhard taken before him Tor formal exam
nation Bernhard stated that he was porn II
| Massachusetts, was twentv-eight years OF age and
| had been sailor by occupation. This rather move
combination OF sailor and teach er might be con
stdered In part explanatory Of the cnastisement
| to which the boy Dueser was treated.
TIE POST-NORTEM EXAMINATION
| revealed that the heart was embedded In blood
Bernhard has not denied that he heat Giuseppe
| and probably does not imagine that he did any
tnihg very cruel; The boy, no doubt, suffered
most in his delicate state OF health, rom the
shoes he received BY the repeated castigation.
Bernhard really scared the lie out OF him. The
lace OF Bernhard, with the sailor gait and straddle
Of his legs, does not bespeak for HIM much nicely
OF feeling or Of action. He could never begin to
pauper child. The Rrief OF Guiseppe's parents IL
| Intense and sometimes very demonstratlve.