New-York tribune., 1878-10-10
TREATMENT OF ASYLUM INMATES.
CHARGES OF CRUELTY AGAINST THE MATRoN OF
THE MAGDALEN ASYLUM


AS Officer McDermOtt, of the Fifteenth
Precinct passing along in West Third-st. late
on Monday night, his attention attracted toward
young and slenderly built girl, crying bitterly at
the foot Of the stOop Of the house at No 11S Stand
ing by her side q woman who was also crying ana
at the time expOstulang with her. "What is tue
matter Z" asked the Officer. The young woman replied
my name is Rachel o'Neil l saw my name published
as having escaped from the Magdalen Asylum at Eighty
eigbth-st. and Ffth-ave and want TO give myself
up" As she said this she began to cry again, and
begged the officer to take her in custody. The older
woman, who proved TO be the mother Of Rachel again
expostulaed with her daughter; but in spite OF Mrs.
0Nes tears and entreaties, Rachel insisted upon GO
ing 10 the statOnhOuse There she was detained during
the night, and yesterday morning appeared before
Justice OtteIbOurg ut the jefferson Market Police
Court In answer to questions touching her reasons
for running away from the asylum, she said she had
already been severely punished there by being locked
10 dark CELL and she didn't care to be treated that way
again that she had not violated any OF the rules Of the
asylum beyond refusing TO work when she was sick and
not able 10 do So She added That she had made up her
mind that she could reform just as we'll ut home as IN
the asylum.
Mrs j. H. Batersby, the matron Of the institution,
woman about forty years Of age denied the charges
She told the Judge that Rachel given to drink, and
had run Iwayi to obtain liquor. She SAID that Rachel
was wifu, and had refused to obey the rules OF the
ASYLUM, and 10 perform tbe tasks assigned her Justice
OuerbOurG then questioned the GIRL who told her s'orS
as follows:
In August 1877, her mother caused her COlniDal to
the asylum where she renamed SIX months. ana even
nineteen days over time. Not long aiterward Mrs
O'Ne'l again caused her daughters arrest Dnt the
magistrate before whom she taken discharged heT
On April 8, feeling that she wOnld like TO reform ana
lead better life Rachel went 10 the Home Tor the
FICndess and wrote letter to Mrs. BatteTsy, asking
her to take her INTO the asylum again. Mrs. Batefhhy
sent word TO Rachel that If she would go before
Justice Wheeler and have herself committed Tor one
year. and would stay there during that tme sEe WOuiu
get her good place at the expiration ol VlC year
The grl did directed, and selicOmmited Tor orc
wear. Sic claims that while she was there she was
locked in cell three times the first time for thirty
hours the secOud time twelve hours and the lfd he
twenty four hours. The cell had heavy wooden dOOr'
with a little hole in II, and very dark. Twice
Rachael got nothing 10 eat bat bowl OF cold soup.
The third time she called for Mrs Batersby and asked
for little hot tea as her throat very sore but an
she re- elved cup of water and piece OF dly
bread.
they wouldn't let her go out, but Mrs. B. pushed
her uDstalrs and laughed at her. few days ago MIS-.
BatterSby directed her to do the chamberw0rk, ana
then 10 20 TO the sewug-rOOm The girl refused saying
her throat was raw the cold she took in the cell
Mrs Battersby sent for slice of fat pork and tied II
about her neck The matrOn told her she would be q
pretty smart chicken if she got over the gate and
declared that she would like TO give her good switch
ing Mrs Battersby also SAID before all the girls, that
Rachel wanted TO get out aud waddle in the mud IKE
the pigs. Rachel and girl named Charlotte Bliss
climbed the gate and escaped from the asylum on Mon
day night 49,
that they three cells in the asylum Justice Otter
bOurg decided that the Strength OF Rache story he
would commit her for examination, aud III the mean
time wOnld consult with Justice Wheeler II the
charges were true thought the conduct OF the nst!
tuition ought TO be mace the subject OF investigation