The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-08-17
BENEyOLENCE OR INSANITY?

LADY WALKS OFF WITH LITTLE CHILD SHE
FINDS IN THE srEEErs-rnE PARENTS PROS
EcUTE HER ON TIE CHARGE or ABDUCTION.
Miss Mary Adelia Bourne is the only child Of tho
Rev. Il. H. Bourne who gives religious instruction
to the inmates of tho institutions on Blackwell's
Island Tho family has always been regously in
clined, several Of Mr.. Bournes relatives being
cIergymen in different parts Of tho country. The
young lady. who has been noted for her many deeds
OF kindness. especially to young children is thirty
four years OF ago, OF medium Height. and
has . ypiriisIeAs count enaace. Yesterday her
friends surpr.sed to hear Of her arraign-
ment at the Tombs Police Court . charge Of
abduction. The circumstances Of the case very
peculiar. For the past few days Miss bourne has
been stopping with her aunt. Mrs Ncsbitt. in
Beekman place. On Friday. while making pur-
chases for herself. she bought some candy and fruit
for the little children in the neighborhood, who
were very fond OF her. While walking down Third
avenue. near Forty-second street. she saw Adolph
Brtcrfed. pretty little boy about Ave Years old.
whom she gave peach. The little fellow was won
over by this act of Kindness and took
her hand to walk with her. saying at tho
The lady inquired about the circumstances
OF the child the story he told her impressed her
She made up her mind to take him to the Home for
Little Wanderers. In the New Bowery. and have the
investigated. Mr.. Briterfelds landlord saw
her walking away with the boy, and asked her who
she was to whicn the simple reply was, "A friend"
Satisfied with this answer. he went away. but soon
after conversation with the parents, found that
they were unaware Of the child's absence They at
once suspected that the little boy had been abducted
and word sent to Police Headq quarters, whence
general alarm was sent out.
About three hours later OHcer Flanagan, of the
Fourth precinct was patrolling his post in the New
Bowery, when he noticed lady walking along with
little child. The latter crying and seemed IN
willing to 20 with her, rs though he were in strange
place. The policeman accostcd her. and she became
nervous and seemed so DESTROYS of walking away
that he arrested her. At the Fourth precinct station
house the boy told the police where he lived, and
word sent to the house Of his parents No. GA
Third avenue, that their child had been rescued
The father, Gustave Briterfeld came down and
The lady acknowledged with tears in her eyes, that
she had taken the child away but did not intend to
kidnap it, Only to provide it with a better home.
AT the Tombs Police Court yesterday morning
Miss Bourne arrsigned before Justice Fiamner.
While she was being examined her aunt, Mrs. Mary
Nesbtt. appeared. As soon as she arrived the lady
shouted out. .oh. pray for me. Mary!'' She was
very much excited, but in reply to the magistrates
questions managed to say:-"I did not steal the
child; knew the poor thing had no kind parents.
and wanted to save 1t from starvation and suffer-
ing. She said she had been locked up in horrible
cell all night. From the conduct of the woman in
court Justice Flammer became convinced that she
Of unsound mind. and committed her to await the
result or q medical examination. Drs. Jackson and
Sproat subsequently examined her. She said she
thought the boy Was one OF the sons OF God and
that mission was the proper place for him. The
from religious MANIA but preferred to detan her
u few days to watch her more closely. She was,
therefore. temporarily committed.
Miss Bourne has been u teacher of mathematics for
the last ten years. Two years ago she sun
struck and her mind WAS slightly affected, that
her family physician ordered her to refrain from
father on Blackwell's Island. Her friends max
ing every effort to have her liberated.