The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-06-25
A FEARFUL CRIME.

The revelations of the deeds of CDR"
Hathaway, of Philadelphia, are revolving
beyond belief 1t would seem impossible
that such a monster could be found
even in the most densely heather region
of the world, and to have it said of city
like Philadelphia that such an inhuman fiend
found Judgment there and battened on the
most infamous crime conceivable seems like
nightmare, Since his arrest wretched
wife has revealed what she knov of his
practices, and her story is absolutely
sickening in its appalling details.
His criminal art was daily practiced upon
disgraced and sinful women-not by ones or
twos, but by Scores it now appearing that
the horrible total will reach into the hun
dreds, if not thousands According to the
woman's story, when the babes were born
by such unnatural and violent means as the
doctor" made use of-and they were gener-
ally born dead-the limp little bodies were
thrown down a cellar stairway, like so much
offal at slaughter house. The details would
sicken a lola. The infamous Doctor"
seems to have become deadened to
his bloody and murderous business
with as much GOODNESS and elaboration as
though he were butcher and his subjects so
many sheep or hogs The bodies were dis
posed of in various ways; some were buried
in the cellar, while others were burned. Not
content with practicing murder on the I'M
born children of sin and shame he even
made away with his own, according to the
testimony of the unhappy woman who passed
as his wife.
What should be done with such a miscre-
ant is of less Importance than the humiliat-
ing and startling fact that such as be
could be found in civilized society, and
further, that hundreds of men and women
can be found who deliberately furnish him
with material for his horrid trade. 1t is a
dreadful thing to reflect that the city of Phil
adelphia has hundreds of undecided MUIR
derers in its society, Some of them, doubtless,
move in high circles are wholly unsupported,
out having the charge of murder written
against their names. The extent of Hatha-
ways operations may be exaggerated, and it
is to be hoped it is; but it is notorious that
this crime is widespread, and is practiced
where little thought of its Infamous charac-
ter is seriously entertained. The exposure
of DR.. Hathaway will call public attention to
what has been more or less spoken of with
bated breath.
1t is humiliating and embarrassing to
write on this subject but something must be
said and done that shall put an end to such
men as Or" Hathaway, who are to be found
in almost every community in kind but
happily not in degree, and one efectual way
will be to arouse such a conscientious senti-
ment as to remove the demand for such infa-
nous services 1t is useless to minoe mat
tiers. Society that will allow such butchery
and makes it possible is rotten, and it
were false modesty that would prevent any
body from unqualifedly denouncing this
dreadful iniquity. "Dr." Hathaway should
be fairly tried, and if found guilty should
be hanged. More than this: 1t should be
made point to sift this business to the
bottom, and to bring to punishment all who
have had any hand in it. 1t may shatter
society as it is, but it will build up on the
ruins purer and better order of things.
Let the investigation be complete, and let
no guilty man or woman escape.