The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-02-11
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY u, 1870.



As our readers are aware, female pc
destrian plague has broken out in New
York, and number Of women, young
and old, are displaying their locomotive
powers in tho hope Of roploniShing their
pockets. 4 Miss Annie Bartel went on
tho track some two weeks ago, and reach.
cd tho following result last Monday:
"MIss lIartel presented shocking ap.
poaranCe. Her face. took on slcklyshue,
liscoloraiions Of the flesh were noticed
behind her ears, dark places showed
round her eyes, herarnls dropped TO her
side, her walk was painful limp, although
she was supported by stalwart men on
both sides and almost lifted round the
track. Tho doctors looked grave, held
freduent consultations but still she kept
on, dragging her suffering body over the
dirty sawtust. The room toward 8 o'Clock
became densely crowded, the atmosphere
was sulEocating, but tho plysicians order.
ed all the windows 70 be- closed. Tho OK
element increased, the spectators iostling
each other 10 got sight at tho miserable
spectacle. The poor creature after each
auarterhour walk was thrown into the
arms OF those waiting to receive her on
the track, aud as she plodded along she
cast her eyes pityingly at the gaping
crowd, as Il to implore their help.
'"Oh, what torture" said one lady, as
she rapidly descended the stairs and pass
cd out; another lady rushed after her,
CRYING bitterly, perchance ut the shame Of
being witness OF such an exhibition.
Still the girl was dragged along, her head
resting on the shoulder Of one Of her sup.
porters, while every few minutes the tears
would start from her partially closed eyes,
her lips would witch convulsiycly, and
she would wildly clap her hand on her
heart, as II to stop its throbbing forever.
1t took ten minutes 10 drag her round
the track seven times to complete the quar-
ter mile, 80 that she had only five min.
rtes to rest on each quarter Then one Of
tho persons interested In the show hid
hold OF Miss Bartel bys the arm and waist
and forced her speed so that hetwo last
quarters she made were-Eovered In
minutes.
"AIen began to whisper Shame, as the
poor girl concluded the last trip around
the sawdust, while knots Of interested
sports Clapped and cheered, then a rush
was made for the platform in the wake OF
the. physicians who had Just hurried
thither. When tile buzz 81 excitement
had subsidized, Dr. Little said: we have
decided TO take Miss Bartel of the track
for short period. She is suffering from
circumstances over which We have no con-
troll"
The circumstances" were complete
break down Of the physical and mental
powers, which brought the poor creature
10 deaths door. Her final recovery is ex.
ceedingly doubtful.
We believe there is 4 gentleman in New
York named Bergh, who makes it his
business to prevent, or punish, the cruel
treatment OF horses, mules, cows, dogs,
cats and the rest OF the domesticated
animal creation. Can he find time to
break up such outrageous and inhuman
exhibitions? Or ii Bergh is too busy, is
there not sufficient amount Of ldecent
public sentiment in the commercial
metropolis Of the country to put stop to
this brutality? II not, then there Is
abundant room for missionary labor in
that city.