Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-22
BY TELEGRAPH.
The Outrage Oh Mrs. Merritt.

New YORK, July 22.-The woman who was
| outraged Tuesday night on the tugboat Mike
Norton is about Is years old, shabbily dressed,
| but of a re6oed and delicate appearance. She
| told the police captain that her rame was
| Louisa Merritt, was wife Of Col. Merritt, of
the army, and that about three weeks ago she
had made her escape from unatic asylum
near Washington called ST. Elizabeth Asylum,
but better known as the Government Asylum.
| She had been conhned there by her husband,
she SAID, year ago last September 10 order to
break her OF the habit of eating morphine. AT
| the time mentioned she managed to make her
escape through hole 10 the wall, and went to
Alexandria, Va, on foot From there she
went TO Baltimore, and thence to Philadelphia,
where she remained for some days She then
sold heavy gold ring she had in her posses
sion and procured a few necessary articles of
clothing. She saw 10 the Philadelphia news
papers that Detective McDevitt, of Washing
| ton, was in the city, and fearing that he mi ght
be looking for her. determined to 60 away at
once. She therefore took the train for Jersey
City, where she arrived 90 Tuesday morning
Hoping to iud situation, she looked over the
advertisements 10 the daily papers, and saw
that stewardeSs was needed of steamer aud
came to New York to apply for the position.
She lost her way during the day, and at last,
when she attempted 10 return to Jersey City,
became bewdered and wandered airnessly
about Near IL O'Clock at night she found her
self 10 South street, and while standing on
corner was approached by man, who asked
her what she was doing there. She told him
her story, and he said he was agent of the YES
sci she was looking for. and told her he would
take her on board. She then went with him
to the tug Nike Norton and eptered the cabin
with him. After she had been there short
time four other men made their appearance,
and the assault was made. The moment she
effected her escape she sought the protection
of the first patrolulan she met, who took her TO
the police station. 1t was with great difficulty
that the police captain could get her to 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 20 away in safety.
She had appealed to the officer Tor protection
only. Half a dozen coarse cotton handker
chiefs, found in her possession, are marked
&c. h. Waldron." She accounts for this by
saying that she bought them 10 Philadelphia,
and had them so marked because she proposed
to take that name, as she had brothrr-iu- law
BY the name of Charles +. Wadron In Boston.
Besides the handkerchicfs quantity of NOR
phne was found 10 one Of her pockets, and the
police captain says he thinks she was under its
influence at the time she was brought to the
station. He says her manner and language
indicate that she is a refined and cultivated
lady, though evidently suffering from exces
slVe use OF morphine. A medical examination
disclosed the fact that she has several severe
bruises 90 her arms. The two men arrested on
the charge of completely in the affair have been
committed