Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-22

In Brownsville by IA Young Woman
who Fled to Austin Texas-Ybnt
Fall was There-A Kind,
Good Nurse Branded AZ
the Murderer OF her
own Offspring.

Brownsville Democrat: Emma Esteem,
lately a mIlliner Of this place, was not ar
rested in Austin, Texas, on a charge of muir
der by the city marshal of that city, and
Sheriff Lyle notified OF the fact. Sheriff Lyle
did not Inform the Austin officer that Esteem
had been indicted for child murder by the
grand Jury, and TO hold her until the neces-
sary papers could be sent for her extradition
and return 10 Brownsville. Yet we hope
she will be brought back and be tried for her
awful crime. 1t is stated upon go3d au-
thorlty that sufficient evidence TO convict her
has been obtained, and that the woman who
attended her has been found, and who threw
the child, a female infant, naked and alive In
the prlvy vault. Its cries were heard by
those living in the neighborhood at the time,
but it seems nothing was done to investigate
the matter. For the sake of human nature
all parties connected with this deed should
be brought to punishment. Let the law
strike whom it may. Let it cover with shame
and lnfamy whom 1T may. Cold blooded
murder should not be permitted to crush out
even the life of helpless infant In the Sc
cre5 and silent night, without the stern
sword OF justice smiling the offenders. Let
the mask be torn from faces which appear
open and honest enough to the world, but
wear concealed the guilty memories of
crimestalned vice, and bear under the garb
of virtue, the satyr-hke passions OF the de-
bauchGe. Emma Esteem, before the public
became apprised Of her horrid crime, had
considerable sympathy IN this community on
account of her conduct during the late yell
low-feVer pestilence. She was a kind and
attentive nurse, and won the good opinions
OF many of our citizens. We spoke kindly
of her In these columns, because of those
services, and wished her well. But she has
forfeited every claim to sympathy and hui
mainly. These were throtiied and expired
with the dying cries of her own offspring In
the foul and horrible vault. The cause of
her crime and her downfall bears with it a
terrible lesson. 1t is, however, not d strange
one that some women indulge In. 1t Is the
belief that they can cross at will the line
that divides vice from virtue, and de
celve the world. What vain and de.
ceitfui delusion! What a false and fall
lacious4 hopel Every woman that is
careless of appearances in these things, even
without the commission of vice, is suspected,
and every woman who passes the line is
known and branded, though she may fancy
herself secure from suspicion as babe un-
born. it tue poor creature who committed
this crime had not cheated herself with the
idea that she had character to protect, and
II she had bus known the estimation In
which she was held in this community, she
would not have imbrued her hands in the
blood of her own infant to protect a good
name she did not possess. As IL Is. let the
law take ITS course. Murder in its mildest
aspect Is hideous and revolt ng to all living
and animate things. The very beasts of the
field utter plaintive and mournful cries when
they behold the blood of their fellows, sacri-
hced to the necessities of man, and when
stalwart man himself pelishes under the
blows Of his adversary, the heart is thrilled
with horror, and the face of the beholder
blauched with terror, but whess the defense
less, helpless little babe is grag ped by MUIR
terous hand, and that hand Is the hand of |
The mother In gave it life, humanity wells |
It's eyes at the supreme horror, and has no |
punishment equal to the crime of the SLAYER |
f her own child"