The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-28
A Sat .tory Of Dessitufion.
TIE FRENZY OF PARENTS WITHOUT FOOD Fun
THEIR chill Rrs MISTAKEN FOR rNsASITY.
New York worfd.I

TIE FRENZY or PARENTS WITHOUT FOOD foh
THEIR CHILDREN MISTAKEN FOR INSANITY
New York World.
Justice Morgan yesterday committed TWO
little girls, one five and the other thiec
years old. 10 the care OF the Society LOT
the Prevention Of Cruelty to children. anu
their parents, Franz and Annie Acher-
man, to Jail, pending an examination ,h,o
their sanity. The latter were arrested on
Sunday, on complaint of Father Durtha'er,
OF st. Joseph's German Catholic cniirch'
in east Eighty-seventh street, aiter nav
lag been declared insane by DIR. van
Musit, Of No. 1866 Lexington avenue. Iney
occupied miserable tenement on the Top
floor OF No. 1913 Second avenue, ana when
arrested the rooms were strewn with tue
pieces Of broken china. The two children
were found almost naked and nearly
starved TO death, huddled together on Il
straw mattress in the room. From Inqui-
ries made by reporter OF the World IN
The neighborhood IL appears that until
about three months ago the family was
living comfortably and happily, Mrs. Ack-
erman being especially well liked, and being
noted for the neatness and taste with which
she cared for her rooms and dressed her
children, the elder of whom is bright
little girl, who formerly attended Il German
school in the neighborhood. About three
months ago, however, Alderman had his
head so severely injured by an accident in
The brewery where be worked that it was
necessary for him to 20 to the Charity Hos
pital, on Blaclwell's Island. lie was in
the hospital nearly two months. During
this time his wife worked brayely, washing
aud ironing day and night, to care for her
children and fake little delicacie, 10 her
husband.
When her husband returned home, about
six weeks ago, he was unable to find work,
and became very morosc and sullen for
hours ut time, and ut other times rayed
like a maniac. Mrs. Alderman became de-
spondent in consequence Of her troubles
and her. poverty, aud although OF very
social nature before, during the last few
weeks she has seldom left her apartments
or admitted any one into them, and when
she did meet the ncighbors she avoided
speaking TO them.
Saturday night the ncighbors became
alarmed by hearing violent noises in the
Ackermans' rooms, aud rushing in they
found the father rayIng violently and
smashing the furniture, while his wife
was throwing pots and pans out OF win
dow. Quiet was restored, and it was be-
levcd that Ackerman's temporary fit had
subsidized. The next morning Mrs. Acker-
man attended mass at 81. ,Ioseph's church
and so disturbed the congregation by
her violent and disorderly behavior that
she was elected. IL was then that
Father Durthaler, who has visited the
Ackermans frequently. paid their rent and
given them other relief, had the examine
ton made which resulted in their being
arrested to prevent them from "settng
the house a!ire or iniurlns the children"
as neighbor complained. When arraigned
yesterday morning, Mrs. Alderman SAID
they had had 10 food for several days past.
Both denied emphatically that they were
insane. and protested that they would
die rather than 90 to charitable institu-
ton.