Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-04-19
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!, A Young Girls Torture.

York Times says: saturday afternoon q
girl with frightened face and disheveled
hair ran into the Susquehanna House and,
falling on her knees before Mrs. Carpen-
ter, wife Of the hotel proprietor, begged
for protection. She said that she had es-
capped from man who had kept her
chained to the floor of back room OH
Spruce street, in the centre of the city,
night and day for nearly three weeks,
and that she feared he would capture and
Kill her. At first it was thought that the
girl was insane, but her Intense earnest
ness, haggard looks and large, pitiful eyes
touched every heart, and her thrilling
story Mas listened to with wonder and in
dignation. Before she had time to finish
the horrible recital large, slouchy, fair
haired man Of about 30 years rushed in
out of breath and authorilively demanded
that the girl should go with him. lis APP
pcaraucc upon the scene filled her with
terror, ard throwing her arms about Mrs.
Carpenter She eXclainlcd: My God!
Don't let him take me again. The man
caught the girl by the arm, but Mrs. Car
penter told him to stand back, and he
shrank before the firm glance of the
plucky woman, and finally went away.
Meantime the police were communicated
witt, and Chief De Lacy, with two OIL
GERS, went TO the rooms indicated by the
fugitive and arrested physician calling
himself DR.. W. 5. Madden. \ number of
chains, locks an1 staples were found in
his room, and these were taken to the po-
lice station, where Madden had hearing
before Mayor Beamish. The girl, whose
lame is Sadie McClanaghan, appeared
against the prisoner, and told IL painful
story of his brutality and heartlessness.
She said that she had made her home for
some time in Lewistown, Pa, with her
sister. Madden had got her into trouble,
and promised TO marry her as soon rs he
could get divorce from his wife, who is
living in Altoona, that State. This was
about the beginning of last January. At
that time Madden had IN office in this city,
having come here about two years ago with
quack named Gibson, who is now in
prison here for IN indecent assault OH a
female patient. The girl says:
81 declined ut first to have anything to
do with him until after lie should get the
divorce from his wife, but he swore to my
sister and my brother-in-law that if |
came to Scranton he would take good care
of me. and that us soon us his divorce was
obtained, on the second Monday Of April,
he would make me his wife. did not ac-
company him however, and he kept writ
ing until the Goth of last February, when
in his Office l said that would go back
and stay with my sistef until the divorce
was granted, but lie would not hear of
this, and the thought of my going away
seemed to make him wild. lie got chains
and locks, tied them about my ankles, and
fastened one TO the bed in his room and
the other to the floor. cried out for help,
but he seized me by the throat and choked
me until thought hc would kill me. He
has kept me chained day and night ever
since. At first he brought some food in
basket from Il restaurant, and we ate it to-
gcther, but after Il while he took his own
meals outside, and occasionally carried in
a sandwich for me. / made several at
tempts to escape, but it was no use. lie
ln1 Al, a ha
fastened the doors securely whenever he
went out. lie frequently threw me on the
floor and stamped on my breast with his
knees until / was sick aud sore. i have
known him for nearly two years. My pcO.
pie don't know that lie has abused me in
this way. What shall do to keep the az
fair from my mother?"
"Madden, who fell on his knees and
begged for mercy when the chief of police
came to arrest him, denied the girls story
at first, but finally admitted having chain
ed her to the floor for fear she would go
out anu tell about him. The evidences of
his heartlcssness were overwhelming, and
the mayor ordered him to find bail in
81, 800. Failing In this, he was taken to
the county Jail. AS soon as the story got
abroad there was great Indignation among
the people on the streets and threats of
lynching the scounarel were freely in
dulgcd in. His victim is about 70 years
OF age. The wreck of 4 beautiful brunette,
she is half starved, anu she says that often
when he chained her TO the floor ut night
she lay there in terror, thinking he would
kill her before morning."