The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-05-06
A S0RROWFuL STORY

THE WOES OF A wRETCHED WOMAN, AS COMP.
DED TO THE OFFICERS AND 4 REPORTER.
A Chicago woman killed her newly born
twins to hide her shame, and then threw
the remains in the river to cover up the
crime. The Times tells the terrible tale In
detail, and concludes as appended: "The
officer Intercepted her closely, and at last
she dropped the remark that she felt verv
sorry TOR the little children who had been
drowned. Further questioning, added to
persuasion, was INDUCED. and at last the
woman said to the officer, Eyes did it.
threw them in the river. They were my
twins-a boy and girl" With the admis-
sion, the cold indifference which
mad been prominent upon her
lace faded away, the voice that had been
mechanical grew tremulous. and the unfor-
tunate woman threw herself at the officsr's
knees and implored him to have pity upon
her, tor she was very unhappy. He spoke
to her kindly, and she told him she would
take him to the very place where she threw
them into the river. The officer accompanied
her for several blocks, until they arrived
near point north of the Division street
bridge She stopped him and said: sit was
here. 1t was stormy night wnen put
them into the. water, l was afraid, and went
In the night. l threw them there. I had
sewed them up carefully in blank ct, and
then
PUT THEM UNDER WATER.
The officer then informed her she would
have to so to the station, but that she would
be treated kindly. To this she replied: 81
hops you will treat me kindly, for I have
bsen ruined and deserted, and was driven
to this to hide my shame" Last night a
Times reporter called to see her, and Officer
Land. being at the station, acted as inter-
prefer. The following is her own statement.
as given 10 officer Lund. and by him to the
reporter; was born in Denmark. in 1850.
My mother and father and / came TO this
country three years ago. They are in Iowa
L have been working out in Chicago
Tor living. Some time ago l got acquainted
with man by the name of Peter Nelson
he worked in soap factory somewhere.
lie was to marry me; be is the man who has
seduced me and brought me to this. When
he discovered that [ was in bad condition
he wanted me 70 go to doctor and get some
medicine. l went but couldn't get any.
Soon after, went down to Mrs. Psterson's
to stay. Peter Nelson paid her SIS to take
care OF me. After L was there about two
weeks felt very curious, aud went out to
the wster-closet. While there 1 gave birth
to them two children. / don't know whether
they were alive or not, because | was crazy
with trouble and pain. 1 took them and
sEwED THEM UP IN A BLANKET
and HID them away 10 2 box where they re-
NAMED two days. Then one stormy night
,ook them In my own arms and threw their
bodies into the river. L was crazy with my
,rouble. I had been ruined and had nobody
20 look to, / then went away from Mrs.
Peterson's back TO where / came from. I
nave never seen Peter Nelson since. He
ildn't have anything to do with the death of
he babies. This was the admission of the |
ruined mother. IL was interrupted fire. |
luentIy with violent attacks of grief. SIZE |
las nothing criminal in her face, and a con- |
of her deep sorrow and remorse !
ast night was calculated to touch the SYM |
)athies of the most stoical. Woman that |
The is, she confded, as thousands OF her sex |
lave done before. Having lost her footing, J
allen far down the sleeps, bereft Of friends |
md homeless, she committed her soul still /
urther TO misery by endeavoring 10 shadow |
her wrong beneath the waters, where she |
ay her own offsprings away, The case is TO /
% Investigated by Justice Scllly this morn
nor.