The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-12
BETRAYED AND THEN KILLED.
A Scandal Involving Old Long Island Fam
Ily md a Fn.hIonabIe One In HrookIyn.

A Scandal Involving old Long Island Fam
lily and "a Fashionable One In brooklyn.
Inspector Murray received information
early Yesterday morning that led him to a case
Of malpractice. the tragedy and scandal Of
which envelopes one OF the oldest families on
Long Island. and highly respectable family on
the hill in Brooklyn. The information was so
positive that the Inspector. US FIRST step
thought II necessary 10 enlist the services OF the
Coroner's office.
Coroner Flanagan and his deputy. Dr. Miller
accompanied the Inspector. Sergeant Menkim,
and Roundsman O'Toole. The party went
quietly to the four-story brick dwelling at ISL
East Twenty-seventh street The building like
all It's neighbOrs, seemed 10 be tho abode ~
respectable persons. The window hangngs
wer. rich and tasty. and among the folds was a
modest glass sign, plainly lettered. Nine
Burger. doctress aud midwife"
One of the officers stationed himself at the
basement door. The others Were admitted
ut tho main entrance. They found themselves
In lu1uriantly furnished parlor and before
well-dressed middle aged German woman. who
listened with calmness that was plainly the
result OF strong effort. 10 the briefly told story OF
their errnnd. Without any further care except
10 secure Nine Burgers detention by an officer
ihe inspector pushed his way up TO the top
hoor. All Of the floors through whic ich he passed
were nicely furnished until the top was
reached and there the meanness OF the scanty
furniture was especially conspicuous. In one
ance accorded with its surroundings. was a
girl. apparently 20 years old. Her face. bor-
dered BY wealth OF raven hair. was singularly
attractive. In spite OF Its pallor. She was very
low. and scarcely needed the entrance Of tho
strangers.
DR.. Miller was speedily convinced that she
was very near death door. The Inspector and
the Coroner. after cons sultation. decided 10 at
tempt 70 get a statement from her. Under the
care OF the Doctor this was accomplished with
out taxing her waning strength. She was told
ot her condition. but did hot seem to be either
shocked or surprised at the Assurance that she
could not recover. She did not even seem to
fear TO tell her story.
She rlintly said that her name was Cora Sam
mis-. and that she lived in Northport. l.. |.
Three years ago this summer. Frank Cosgrove
OF Brooklyn spent the season in Norihport.
and she formed an acquaintance with him. lie
WAS the cause Of her being In the situation in
which she was found. and he II was who had
taken her 10 the woman Burger. She quit her
home about three weeks ago and had visit
ed her aunt. Mrs. Butts Of 3O3 Raymond street
Brooklyn. 10 avoid discovery by her parents
and 70 be near Cosgrove, upon whose advice
and help she relied TO get her out Of trouble
On Tuesday, the 2d inst she went with Cos
grove 70 tho Iwenty-seyenth street house. he
having been there on the sunday previous to
make arrangements with Madam Burger. She
arrived at the house about o'clock in the even
ing and two hours later madam Burger pcr-
formed an operation IN the presence Of young
From that night she steadily failed and on
Monday night the condition in which she sank
SO seriously alarmed those that were caring for
her that Cosgrove went 10 a reputable physician
II.
The physician went to see the girl and found
that she was beyond help. He reported tho
case TO tho police.
While the girl was telling this story a tele-
gram arrived for her 1t was from Cosgrove
aid was 70 tell her that i would be impOss he
for him 10 call 20 see her that evening. Tho
dying girl was unable to read il. and it was
read for her by Inspector Murray. The Ins pec-
tor then sent ior Police Surgeon Lyons and put
tie girl IN his charge. with servant to act az
nurse. She was not able to bear removal to "a
hospita
while, the police were there. The occupants
were found 10 be Nine. Burger, her daughter
Mrs Rachael Davis, aged Is. Minnie Russell.
aged Is. and Tessle Williams. IS years old. The
latter said that they lived in the house their
board being paid by men under whose protec-
ton they lived. All the women wore taken TO
the Police Central ONCE. as prisoners and wit
nesses
In tho mean time Sergeant Meakim had been
sent TO Burling slip. whore young Cosgrove is
in business with his father. They have large
cooherage there, and do an extensive and
2l ST. James uace. Brooklyn. The young man
is "a years old and unmarried.
Sergeant Meakim told his errand and tho
young man was very much affected. and trem-
bled vlslbly. He accompanied the officer to
Police headquarters, where he freely admitted
his part in the crime. He WIS completely un-
nerved, aud made no attempt 10 conceal any
thing. His story was n surprise to the police.
The inspector sent word Of the girls danger
Gus condition both to her father and TO her aunt
in Brooklyn A despatch was soon received
from her father, Henry SRmmis. Of Northport.
particulars. coupled with a regret that he could
not possb get there until this morning. There
WAS some delay in getting this dee patch into the
hands OF one who could answer 1t in the absence
Of Inspector Murray. and II was quickly fol-
lowed by three others. each more beseeching
than tho other.
Mrs. Butts responded TO the message sent to
her, she was accompanied by another woman.
and Detective Dusenbury was sent with her to
the house in Twenty seventh street She ar
rived thrre about o'clock but the patient had
sunk SO low that she was although not without
consciousness. she took no note Of what was
going On around her and did not recognize
her aunt.
4 half hour later she died without having
rallied from her sami-unconsciousncss.
Inc Investigations resulted in Information
mat woman, apparently very sick. had been
taken away from Nine. Burgers house IN a
coach on the previous evening. At the Central
fark was found man who had driven two
women from the house in Twenty seventh
street 10 Mrs. Kiscr's at 2sG East Fifty fourth
street, and there ballied Old woman led the
way reluctantly 10 a room in which sick grl
lay.
she said that her name was Margaret steele
and that she lived at 60 william street where
her father was employed as Iunitur On Feb. 3
she visited Mrs. Burger and paid her $50 10
perform an operation upon her. and was oper-
ated upon the next day Mrs. Burger por-
formed the operation.