New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-11-11
THE BABY ACROBAT, prince LEo.n


CRUEL METHODS or rRNSING-PiiYSlCAL AND
METAL RESULT To TnF CHILD.
The Investigation of the case of the child
acrobat, Prince Leo" Freddy Bereher, con
tiuued yesterday in the oyer and Ierminer room, and
there was large audience present Sir Wright, Pres
dent OF the Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to
Children and Henry Beryh present. and models Of
the tight rope and balancing pole used in training the
child were set zap in of tho Courtroom and
used by the witnesses in explaining the boys training
There also tho rope and belt attached to the child in
OF his performances. The child himself except
when under examination ran about talking merry with
any one who would talk with him. seeming to be much
pleased with the notice taken Of him Eibridge Gerry
conducted the proceedings FOR the Society and Mr. j C.
j. Langbein cross-eXamined for Wala l.. Husband alias
Leonard, the respondent.
Several witnesses described the performances OF the
child aud his training aud the state OF the theater
Charles Smith had Leonard teaching the boy and
seen the boys performances, which usually at 1890
O'Clock. Frederick Rhein. barkeeper at the TyOl had
seen tho child under instruction when only stove in
the theater had dre. Leonard would hold him up
the rope while he made certain steps and then allow him
to drop astrde the rope Leonard often pulled his
and nose and struck him.
DIR. Ranney was examined at great length, and testified
that on examination OF the child ho found his spine
abnoImaly curved and his Lbdomen distorted lie
ascrbed both to the excessive tension OF the mus
cles OF the child In balancing himself and using
q balance-pole weighing about 10 pounds. Such
practice would naturally produce in young child
relaxation OF the lgamen:-. and ultimately per
manent deformity The climbing OF sopng rope
in sandals would tend proncr permanent deform
ity Of the foot The excessive mus uar stru would
OF itself njuriousy affect the chiid's mind by reflex
action the OYcTstiane1 MUSCLES, aud II that
combined with fear of the act itself the
STRAIN might and probably would produce dsas-
trUus resut-nlcntal deficiency, perhaps idiccy II the
child ell from the rope under nervous tension
though checked by that the TALL snort. the
shock might be- fatal Tue deprivation Of sleep late at
night would add 10 the injury and late sleep In
the morning would not be "a compensation.
Prince Leo then placed the stand, and test
fed that Thursday last, willie at rehearsal In his
tights he not able to drop tde the rope
whereupon Leonard beat Lin with "A strap aud him
cry that the rope hurt him The boy then began cry
AMI was again withdrawn.
Arthur IL. Denhgm. Inspector fairfield Martha Feely,
and Mrs. Clara Belmont gave evidence merely To the
performances Of the boy ana the temperature OF the
theater George Hoseke the night barkeeprr testified
that AT rehearsal he htd seen the chd while attempting
20 tu n somersaults on leDnards shoulder, Medes-
day and Thursday last fail the sia lie had seen
the boy tue stage when weak performance
aud Leonard kick ~ him
The proceedings were then adjourned to Friday.