The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-29
VITRIOL THROWING.
Ellen Mead Sentenced for Five Years, Kate
Mcdonald for One Year.

Ellen Mead OF 303 East Forty-eighth street,
who threw vitriol into the face of her lover.
John McNierney. musician. OF 419 East Seventy
nfth street. on the Goth inst. partially blind
ing and dlsngurng him. having pleaded
guilty was sentenced yesterday in the General
Sessions by Judge Cowng to the penitentiary
for 1--WE years. She seemed almost crazed by
the sentence. and, turning to the bench as offi-
GERS were taking her from the bar. she cried
out: thank you. Judge for your leniency.
You might as we'll have sentenced me for life."
Then she covered her face with her hands and
burst into tears. Outside Of the court room she
exclaimed. referring to her lover: " wish that
had killed himl"
Kate Mcdonald lately the housekeeper the
Astor Place Hotel was tried yesterday in the
General Sessions on the charge OF attempt
ing to kill Joseph W. Taylor. q brakeman on
the New York Elevated Railroad. by throwing
vitrol in his face. on the evening OF the 10th
inst. Her eyes were wet, her face was flushed,
and her abundant black hair was loose upon
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odist minister in Lawrenceville. Tioga County.
Penn. sat near him, and bis sister and his wife.
who still wears her bridal hat. were also present
Taylor was shaken by nervous tremor as he
was called to the witness stand; He asked Tor
a glass Of water. and nearly spilled 1t Ms he car
red il to his mouth. He testified. in an almost
inaudbe voice. that on the evening OF the 10Th
inst. he called on Kate McDonqld because she
had written him 10 do so. While he was sltting
in the prisoners room talking to Mary Ann
Mcdonald, ldundress in the hotel, who
had come in casually, Kate Mcdonald
excused herself and went out. She re-
turned with bowl and q cup In her hands, He
iancied that the bowl contained tea. Mrs;
Mcdonald said; must 90. Good-by" md
moved toward the door. just then Kate
Mcdonald stepped toward him and threw the
contents Of the bowl in his face. She had Ire
quenty thrown water upon him in play. and h9
began to laugh. But he heard a iiZing sound.
as though the liquid was hot and he instinc-
lively closed his eyes and put his hands over
his face. As the liquid touched his face. hands
and neck II began TO burn like fire. He was al
most maddened by the pain. He CROPPED his
way out TO a wash room, and plunged HE head
into basin Of water. This relieved mis- sun ring
somswhat; He rode IN coupe to the Ollie Of
DIR. Franklin Smith OF 1S6 Grand street. There
his burns were dressed. Then. at the sugges-
tion Of DR.. Smith. he went to the Chambers
DR.. smith testified that the right side of Tay-
lor's face and neck will probably be dishgured
for the rest OF his life. The sight OF his right
Kate McDonaids lawyer called Ezra Haskell
the proprietor OF the hotel; Katie Dolan. a
cham bermaid there: and jasper W. Carpenter.
the Keeper Of an intelligence Office, from which
Kate Mcdonald has been in the habit ot hiring
servants. To show that she was So zed with con
vulsions on the afternoon OF the day Of Iuy-
| lor's departure from the hotel. and that her
| conduct was eccentric thereafter. Dr.. Henry
Sheppard who attended Kate Mcdonald in the
hotel. testified that she suffered from the most
| violent form Of hysterical epilepsy. An attack
was likely TO occur at any mnom,nt when the ex-
| citing cause was present. He thought that she
| was not mentally responsible for any act.
| Kate Mcdonald testified. In her own behalf,
| that she was engaged TO be married TO Taylor.
| On the 10th Of April she urged him 20 marry
| her as she believed that she was about TO be-
| come Il mother He told her that he had been
married for two years. aud he tHunted her with
her condition. On the 9Th Of May Samuel New
| ton. a friend Of Taylor. told her that Taylor
| had married woman thnt he had for some
| time been engaged to. She WIS crazed. She
| did not remember that she wrote note asking
| Taylor to call upon her. or that she threw the
| vitriol In his face.
| The jury considered their verdict for an hour.
| Then they convicted Kate Mcdonald OF simple
assault-the least serious offence that they could
| hnd her guilty OF. Judge Cowing sentenced her
| TO the penitentiary for one yenr-the iull term.