National Republican., 1875-07-23
UNDER FLlSE cOLORS.
TIL LAIfSl new YORK OUTRAGE.
A CONFIDENCE WOMAN PLAYING IT.
she CLAIMS TO HAVE BEEN OUTRAGED.
EFFECTS OF THE USE OF MORPHIA.
The Victim Claims to 10 the wife of
Colonel Merrift-whe She Il sally
Es-A Short Sketch OF Her
Career In this Oty-Her "a.
Escape from The Bt.
Elizabeth Asy.
luln,


Escape from The 81.
Elizabeth Asy.
lun.
NEW YORK. July 22.-Tho woman who was out
ragged Tuesday night on the tugboat Mike Norton
Is about twenty-eight years old, shabbily dressed
but Of refined and delicate appearance. She told
the police captain that her name was Louisa Mer-
ritt, the wife Of Col. Merritt, Of the army, and
that about three weeks ago she had made her es-
cape from . lunatic asylum near Washington,
called st. Elizabeth Asylum, but better known
as the
eovERNMEET HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE
She had been confined there by her husband, she
said, year ago last September, in order to break
her of the habit Of eating morphine at the time
mentioned. She managed to make her escape
through hole in the wall, and went to Alexan-
dria, Va, on foot; from there she went to Balti-
manned for some days. She then sold heavy
gold ring she had in her possession, and procured
2 few Necessary articles Of clothing; She saw in
the Philadelphia newspapers that Detective Nc
Dewitt, Of Washington, was in the o ty, and fear.
ing that he might be looking for her, determined
10 20 away at once. She thereSore took the train
for Jersey City, where she arrived on Tuesday
morning. Hoping to find a situation, she looked
over the advertisements in the daily papers, and
and she came to New York to apply for the posi-.
tJon. She lost her way during the day, and at
last when che attempted to return to Jersey City,
BECAME BEwILDKRED
and wandered aimlessly about. Near II O'Clock
at night che found herself In South street, and
while standing on q corner was approached BY q
man who asked her what she was doing there.
She told him her story, and be said he was agent
would take her on board. She then went with
him to the tug Mike Norton, and entered the
cabin with bin. kfter she had been there short
m MAJ ah thafr
and
TIE ASSAULT WAS MADE.
The moment she effected her escape she sought
the protection Of the first patrolman she met wSo
took her to the police station. II was with great
tell her story, as she said that she did not want
her troubles to be made public, and that all she
desired was to be allowed to go away in safety.
She had appealed to the officer for protection
only. A hall dozen coarse cotton handkerchiefs
found in her possession are marked &C. L. Wal
droD;" She accounted for this by saying that she
boughtthem in Philadelphia, and had them so
marked because she proposed TO take that name,
as she had brother-in-Iaw by the name OF Chas.
chiefs
QUANTITY OF MORPHINE
was found in one Of her pockets, and the police
captain says he thinks she was under its influence
saws her manner and Iang1age Indicated tba. She
is refined and cultivated lady, though evidently
suffering from the excessive use Of morphine. A
has several severe bruises OF her arms. The two
men arrested on the charge of completely in the
affair have been committed.
The above telegram is reproduced for the pur-
pose Of doing full and complete justice to Mrs
General Merritt, gentle and estimable lady as
there is in the land, and as far removed from the
woman referred to as the East is from the West.
Fortunately, the miserable outcast who as
sumed Mrs. MeTritt's name is well known in
Washington, and short chapter from her history
is to the point this morning. She made her ap-
pearance In Washington about one year ago, and
was registered at the Arlington hotel as Mrs.
waldron, Of Tennessee. She accounted for the
absence Of her husband BY saying that he had re.
NAMED behind in Baltimore on account Of dIfi-
Guilty about their baggage. Her next move was
to deposit with Riggs %. check for collection
book at the same time. With this she went to
several dry goods stores on the Avenue, and with
its aid attempted to swindle different merchants
In this connection she will be remembered by Mr..
John T. Mitchell. Events rapidly followed sufi-
cient in their character TO convince Mr.. Roessie
that she was net proper person for him 10 enter-
tain, and she was Immediately placed under the
surveillance of the police. She turned out to be
confirmed opium and morphine eater, and by d.
rection Of the proper authorities she was placed
in the Columbia Hospital for Women, and from
thence she was transferred by Major Richards,
chief Of police, to the Government Asylum for the
Insane, st. Elizabeth. Recently It was found that
she not entitled to the bene its of the asylum,
and was discharged.
The last heard Of her in these parts disclosed the
fact that she was carrying on her confidence
games in Baltimore. She has cripple child here
In the Ohi,dren's hospital She has at different
times assumed the names Of Merritt. Mrs AyeriIl,
&C.; but she is known to police fame and record
nrrttor nF
dence women Of the country. 1t is a most cruel
thing that the friends Of Mrs. General Merritt
and the community, acquainted with the gallant
General by reputation, should be subjected to
such publication; but when the real facts are
known all anxiety is instantly relieved. The
statement we have made may be relied upon as
true, and our eotemporaries who may
have been betrayed into publication of the con-
fdence woman's story are earnestly requested to
publish this statement in behalf Of the real Mrs
Merritt who is entitled to It because she is lady
and on account Of the conspicuous name and mill
tary services of her husband.
DR.. NICHOLS STATEMENT.
The following statement was telegrsphed last
night from the st. Elizabeth Asylum in connec-
tion with the ease: "a woman sent. to this asy-
lum by the District authorities as Mrs Louisa
Walden, escaped May 8, 1875. She usually said
her real name was Mrs. Louisa q. AVerill. She
is said to have taken various names at different
times Her true name is probably Olive E. Dut.
ton, and she is Q native OF Ludlow, Mass, and is
well educated. The woman Is greatly to be
pitied, but hesitating indulgence in indignation
on account Of the alleged outrage in jersey City
is suggested"
Synopsis of Amended Decree Of Sale Of the
Northern Pacific Railroad.
The court having found the legality of the issue