The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-28
BABY FARMING.
Shocking Treatment Of Children
by Midwife.
THE WOMAN UNDER kRREST.

revolving case Of ''baby farming" has just to
light in tins city The manner OF It's discovery was
thus:-Mss Elizabeth Clifford. OF No la3 West Third
street, niece OF Mrs. Mary Russell, Of Tiosa
county this State, went to Mrs Maggie McCIoskcy's
apartments IN Second avenue Twenty hth street,
how her aun,s child being cared for, hav-
ing been left with the woman McCioskey TO nurse.
The child thus into the womans custody through
an advertisement saying that "A respectable widow
desired to bring up some children after tho manner Of
a midwife; terms IS 10 $40 per MONTH.
Miss Clifford was horrifed lind the apartment in
filthy condition, that her infant cousin With i've
other little Ones not only starving for want Of
proper nourishment, but in state Of hlth that
words cannot depict Knowing that nor aunt had
been wholly deceived by Mrs McCloskey, about her
character and experience the OF chlldreu, she
decided to inform the police OF the imposition that had
been practscd Calling upon Captain Garland, at the
Eighteenth precinct station, she narrated the facts
OF the and requested his aid. Tho captain re-
spondcd to her appeal by sending word
to tho Office Of Society for tho Prevention OF Cruelty
TO Children which society despatched Oicer Corner to
inquire into the Mr.. Corner, IN company With
officer McGodrick, went to the house. and on enter
ing rear the first door, found horrible
scene In tho small badly ventilated and dirty room
were found six children, varying in ages from nine
yond description. There but cradle in the
room and in il lay one OF the little ones pale and
emac,atcd with black streaks under the eyes
all shrvellcd up with hardly strength 70 move, and
swelling near the right eye Tho child was evidently
in last stage OF starvation and was covered with
filth and vcrmn. The other children We're 10 no better
condition aud lying on the dirty floor or on
sofa which like themselves, the receptacle toi
ycrmin AMI maggots. The woman McCloskcy moi
in at the time, but young woman named Jane Wilson,
who was out of employment ana made her headquar.
ters while idle, ut Mrs. McCoskcys was in the room.
Ii xns al once relief be afforded immedi-
acly; so oiccr ;icGodrck procured some ice brandy
and milk which administered to the
babies omcer Corner also sent for physician,
hut the people in the house assured the
reporter last evening that doctor had appeared.
The inmates tho house also said that they requested
Corner to take the children to a place where they
could be properly cared for, but he repel that the
rules OF his society forbade him from removing thcm
from the house until morning The women in the
house then agreed to for the infants until
Ing.
Ofhcer Corner went away, expressing an intention
TO return yesterday morning TO arrest Mrs. McCloskey,
but she returned during the evening, and, learning
how the land lay the premises Before going,
however she asked Jane Wilson to meet her during
the afternoon on the corner OF Second
she would in the meantime notify the parents guar
dans of the children 10 come and take them away.
This she appears have done fnr she could. for
Yesterday afternoon woman came aud took away
two oil tho children, which she said were hers Jane
Wilson, however. when the time OF ner appointments
with the woman McCloskcy approached. wort with
Officer Corner toward the place OF meeting As they
went up Second avenue Mrs. McCloskey recognized
in coming down town. The car was boarded and
the woman rested. Kate Clinton, young woman
said to have been employed by Mrs McCloskey, wc
also arrested, and with The latter taken before
In i'm
Police Court rhe Judge listened TO only .,.u
Of the statements Of the officers, and M
committing Mrs McCioskey for trial in default Of
81, 900 bail and Kate Clinton for The examination The
latter will also be committed, when proper comrailt
covering her case can he made out by the society
The names of the witnesses are Elizabeth Csrord,
place. and Jane Wilson. Jane Wilson's statement
veys to tho mind a. picture terribly ro'
deuscd milk given TO the children seemed to be
kind OF flour mixed fluid. which they werc unablcto
swallow because OF It's unpleasant taste There was no
attempt cleanliness and the result that tho chill
dren only ''scalded' or raycd in shocking
manner, but wore LITERALLY covered with vcrm'n.
When she tried to induce Mrs McCoskey TO summon
doctor for those that Ill and to observe little
cleanliness her treatment OF the little ones,
her answer invariably was nh lot the little bastarti
die who cares Last Friday the mother OF tho child
Katie Russell, who is now in dying condition, took
away with her an older child who had been placed
dor The tender care Of Mrs McCloskey some Two weeks
ago One week had caused such change IN tho little
one. though she was fourteen moths old anc strong
mother would not leave her. and she took her ia
Owcgo Tosa county this State. where she Is employed
ms wet nurse for Mr. Hay. Mrs. Russcl's husband
went the old country several months ago. being
able get employment here, and she had then TO e
out to service 10 the $1f month"; which the iend
Mrs McCloskey demanded Of her for the support and
care OF her little ones. The husband is on
his way back TO this country Mrs McCloskey's rage
nj beng deprived Of tho other child by Mrs.
Russell. was so uncont oabc that after the mothers
departure from the house, took tho little infant,
Katie RGssc. and slammed her down against the floor
and slapped her In brutal manner. 1t was at this
time that the little received tho bruise near the
right eve. shove mentioned.
TINS little one which Is but nine weeks old, Is in
terrible sndton. and Will probably die from the Ill
treatment u has received.
The other htllc there with Katie Russell has
no name but that Of 'Pinkcy," alven him by the
nurse. H. - about I'VE months old No one knows
whom he belongs. Tho names OF tho other children
aud thcir ages arc-Tommy Anderson, aged two years
and three months; Frank Brown one year aud two
months. and Katie Caughn, three months. Frank was
in Mrs McCloskcy' Is arms when brought to court He
n a fat healthy looking child; but nc is cripple and
II would seem IL his misfortune raised him tho
estimation or hts nurse, for she takes the utmost
Of him. and he LOOKS like 1t.
Mrs Mccoskcy says there Is no truth In tho charge
that shc itrcatcd the children, and denies that any
child under her has died within month, has
been alleged She also says that she has been
fortune teller, as has been stated.