The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-09-20

A SlckenIng story OF Secret Sorrow
Brought 10 Light
A DespaIrIng Young Mothers Dreadful
Deed--iIer Babe Drained.
II True.-Iu Mitigation.

| News reached the city only yesterday o
q crime alleged TO have been committed
two weeks ago, near Mesquite, twelve mile:
east of this city. and which 10 so shocking
II the differences drawn and the confession
made be true, that II takes rank among the
leading horrors Of the day, inasmuch as
murder is supposed to have been committed
by the mother of an illegitimate child, TO
shield her shame from the glaring gaze OF u
cold and scrutinizing world.
The discovery was kept profound secret,
but how it was prevented from leaking out
before 1t did is something remarkable. The
mother referred to is Miss Orr, a progresses
ing young female yet in her teens, who
like many of her sex Flowed not wisely, but
too well, >" and fell victim to the machi-
nations OF an unptincipled beast of human
shape. AT the time referred to Miss Orr,
who, by her mode of attire, had succeeded
in hiding her condition from her
family, was missed from home
tor nearly day and on her return
appeared so much worn that her sister in
quired what was the matter. She replied
that she felt slightly ill, but the sister
was not satisfied and finally began to sus-
pect the truth of the affair and approached
her concerning it, but she stoutly, denied
all. Still the sister was not satisfied and
communicated her suspicion to an aunt,
VINO came to visit her neiCe, but she con-
tinued to deny it and it was not until the
aunt stated that she had made up her
mind to send for pr ysician tnat the mis-
erhble girl confessed her guilt. though she
stoutly denied takingthe lie off her bape. She
told them that they would find 1t in the
woods where she gave it birth, at spot she
described On visiting the place CHASTITY
scene presented ITSELF that was calculated
to make those who witnessed it shudder.
The hands of the infant protruded from a
lot of dirt and leaves that had been
heaped over il. When the remains
were uneartbed, it was found upon inves-
LEGATION that the skull was crushed in just
in the rear of the ear. 1t was female in
tant, we'll developed. and was, at the time
of the discovery, well preserved. Justice
Berry, of precinct No. g. empanneled a
Jury of inquest, and after viewing the re-
mains and examining witnesses the jury
returned verdict that the deceased came
to its death at the hands OF
its mother. This she most earnestly,
and to all appearances most sincerely, de-
MES. She contends that death was pro-
duced and the skull crushed by the drop OF
the child, head downward, from her own
erect position at the time of its birth. Miss
Orr is ola respectable family. Both her
father and mother are dead and she has
been living with her sister and brother, who
are we'll thought of and respe cted by those
who know them. The unfortunate girl
was placed under arrest and is being kept
under guard until her condition will per-
nit her to be turned over to the county au-
thorities. The name Of the libertine is
known to the county attorney, and he Will
be held to strict reckoning for the unpardon-
able crime he has Committed.