The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-07-24
MRS. AVERII.L, ALIAS MERRITT.

WHAT Is KNOWN OF HER IN wAsHISGroN-HEA
PORTRAIT FROM BRooKLYN-THE CASE IN
THE ToAGBS.
WASHINGTON, d. c., July 23, 1875.
The woman who says she was outraged on the
tugboat Nike Norton. in New York. on Tuesday
night is not the wife OF Colonel Merritt, OF the
army as she claims 10 be. DR.. Nichols Superin
tendent OF the Government Hospital for the
Insane here, states she was sent to
the hospital by ths District authorities
as Mrs. Louisa Walden and that she
escaped rom that institution on the 81 OF MAY.
She usually said her real name was Mrs. Louisa
o. Averill, though she has taken various names az
different times. Der true name ia probably Olive
E. button, and she Ia native OF Ludlow, Masa
she is well known in this city Dy the polics
authorities as a confidence woman. She is a con-
hrmed opium eater aud was placed In the Gov
ernmen. Hospital nearly year ago Her story
OF an outrage upon her is not believed here.
Mrs. Louisa U. Averlll Is well known to the
police of Bi ooklyn, more particularly In the Third
precinct, where she figured about two years ago
able sympathy Tor her condition. The woman
who is ABOUT thirty-two years OF age, OF comely
certain amount OF refinement was found lying
one evening on the sidewalk on Van Brunt
street IN weak az ana aange1r9,us condilon. Sha
ta where she told her story which was TO the effect
that she was the wife OF General Averill, who nad
been stopping at the Fifth Avenue Hotel, but who
was then absent at the IRON mines In some remote
part OF the country. Sne SAID she had made tina
acquaintance of a woman In New York TO whom
she conlded the fact that she was enceirste and
did not want an increase OF family. Acting upon
the advice OF that friend she lad taken carriage
and come to BROOKLYN for the purpose OF obtain
ing the assistance OF German female physician,
who lived in one OF the side streets OF Van Brunt.
An operation was performed she said az
the house OF the doctress on her. She
became insensible; was drugged. as her
changed. Then she was left out in the street,
where she was discovered by the police. At the
hospital 1t was found that there was some truth
lence upon her. Captain Ferry, OF the Third pre-
clnct, took the matter in hand. and early accom-
plished the arrest OF German female doctress In
the vicinity OF Van Brunt street on Suspicion Of
being the culprit. The woman, who was 1ndig-
nant at the accusation, was sent to JAIL being
identified by Mrs. Averill as the person VINO per-
nnued an ' inmate Of the hospital Tor two sWc
weeks. In that time the police had
been busy In unravelling the mystery. They
found that she was not Mrs. Ayerill, but that she
Dutton ana that she was wanted on charge OF
confidence operations in the western part or tue
state. She was finally arraigned before Justica
Delmar, and was given over 70 the custody OF an
officer from the country, who, having read OF he's
arrest, came to town TO bring her back with him
to answer q charge OF fraud'in another county.
THE CASE IN THE ToMBs foLIGE COURT ~
rift, who, It is charged, was outraged by I'VE
rufiians OF the Fourth ward on last Tuesday night
was set down TO take place yesterday afternoon
In consequence, however, OF her being too III Il
be brought nom Bellevue Hospital the eXamna
ton was adjourned over until Monday next
Since the charge OF outrage was FIRST made am
davlts have been entered against two other par
ties who are alleged 70 have been connected WITH
the crime and who, II is said, nave ned the citJ
and are now In Troy. superintendent Wallinf
yesterday received despatch from washington
stating tnat this woman (Merritp was an unre
liable person.