The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-02-16
a Wicked Servant.
HORRIBLE CRUELTY TOALITTLE GIRL FOR HER


NURSE GIRLS CRIMES.
NEW YORK, February 14-Charles f.
Crawford, a clerk, with his wife and daueh
ter. thirteen years old, reside at the corner
Of observation-disclosures d-SiXfy-first street anC
Morris avenue On the 1T OF September
last Mary D0oley, aged twenty, with good
references, was employed rs Il hOuse-ser-
want. A month afterward various article,
of small value began 10 disappear. jew
elry aud money next were missed. Search
was made. and Sl.5O was found wrapped
up in some of the dO!I.clOthes Of Mr.
CrawfoTd's daughter. Other articles were
found in her dolls trunk. She was accuse
Of theft, hut denied it,, and was severely
punished by her parents. They desired heT
10 confess what she had done, and to this
end severely chastsed bci. To avoid fur
ther punishment, she acknowledged that she
had stolen All that was missed. Property
continued TO disappear, and the child was
again accused. She again denied. but
through fear OF puni,hme0t again confessed.
She SAID she had destroyed Them. Her pa
rents began to think that she was OF unsOund
mind. 4 physician was called, who called
il kleptOmania. The girl wa, watched, but
property continued to disappear.
On January 1st The bedclOthing in the
chamber OF Mr. Crawford was set on fire,
and nearly one hundred dollars worth OF
property was destroyed. The daughter was
also accused of doing this, 1t being set down
to insanity. To avoid punishment she con-
fessed it. Afterth her hands were strapped
10 her sides. sill The robberieS continued.
On January 18th fire broke out in
the laundry OF the house. which came
near destroying the entire structure. After
It was extiugulshed it was discovered
that it had originated In basket containing
laundried clothes, part OF which bad been
saturated with kerosene OIL. This also was
attributed TO the insanity OF the little girl.
Her father feared that she would do injury
10 her,elf He had belt made for her, and
procuring long chain, chained her to Il
staple in the wall Of the IiviDg-IOom during
The day time. aud at night To the post OF her
bed. Mary Dooley slept with her, to pre-
vent her doing herself injury during the
night.
Early in February u lady called on Mrs.
Crawford. She land aside her wraps, which
consisted Of a valuable iur-lined mantle,
muff and bonnet. When she looked Tor
them they were gone. Search was made
for them in vain. A detective was called
80, and at length the cloak, nun, an II bon
net were found concealed In the garrei.
That day the little gIrl was uDchained, bi t
went about the house with her arms bound
to Der sides. Upon being threatened with
pEnishment, she confessed having placed
them there. Shortly before this case OF
razar. bad been stolen from Mr.. Craw-
foIds drawer. The idea then struck
Mr.. Crawford 10 watch the servant
girl. Detective wilkins was consulted,
'nd in due time large Quantity
Df eIothiEg was found which was thought
10 have Keen burned durfag the fire
N the launsry. Other stolen articles were
here. Last night the servant was ac-
.us ed Of the 1hefls, and with having set fire
o The house on the two mentioned occa-
ions. She confessed. and said the greater
part of the iewslry and yaIuaoles were at
Ter home, where tkey were found by The de-
ectiyes.
To-day Mary was arraigned in the Harlem
'ciice Court, where only the charge Of To-
en6iarism was preferred against her. She
vas committed IN definIt Of Sy, 900 bail 10
wal. the sction Of the grand iury.