Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-17
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsP ArcH.


PHILADELPHIA, August 16. - Mrs.
Thomas w. Wilkinson, OF Westmont, a
suburb of Camden, has been arrested and
fined SO fror cruelty beating 9-year-old
Hattie Ottinger. an adopted child.
The case has created considerable ex-
citement in the village, because of the
prominence and wealth of the offender and
the light punishment inflicted by Justice
Cassidy, OF Camden. Every effort has been
made to avoid publicity. and it is probable
no action would have been taken had it
not been for the intervention of Squire
Fowler. of Westmont. In his Office this
afternoon he told this tale:
1.-THE first knew of the case was when
the child, crying and weak from loss of
blood, came to me. She said that the little
son of Mrs. Wilkinson had on Wednesday
last promised to take her out riding, and,
disappointing her, she went out for a short
walk.
sCoLDED BEFORE WHIPPED.
"While going along the pike a butcher
named Street. who lived few doors below
her, came along in his wagon and driving
in the direction of Haddon6eld, +, but couple
of miles distant. He asked herif she would
like to ride that far with him. The child
consented, and after transacting his business
in Haddonield he brought her home. She
was met upon her return by Mrs. Wilkin-
son, was scolded by her and then ordered
upstairs.
"When Mrs. Wilkinson got little Hattie
in the room she locked the door and ordered
her to strip. The child obeyed the COM
mand, and then for ten minutes Mrs. Will
kinson vigorously applied a carriage whip
to her back. The child, writhing under the
brutal blows of the whip, screamed for
mercy, but the woman kept piling the blows
on. The child screamed so loud that Mrs.
Wiikinson's colored servant, Martha john
son, who was at work in the cellar, heard
her cries and thought
SHE HAD BEEN BADLY HURT.
"Atter the child finished her story ex-
amined her and found she was in fright
full condition, and the blood was still run
ming down her leg and over her dress.
Immediately sent word to her father in Ger
mantown, but he not coming here, 1 in
formed Secretary Abel Smith, of the Society
to Protect Children from Cruelty, in Cam
den. didn't want to issue warrant for
Mrs. Wilkinson, because she was my neigh
Dor.
"Mr. Smith investigated the case and
swore out a warrant for Mrs. Wilkinson's
arrest before Justice Cassidy. She was
taken to Justice Cassidy's Office, where she
pleaded guilty to the charge. was sub
penaed as a witness, but when arrived at
the Justices Office he told me that Mr..
Smith and Mr.. Charles Stevenson, counsel
for the society, had agreed to fix up the case
for $40. to which agreement the Justice
consented.
THE NEIGHBoRs WILL TALK.
"Mrs. Wilkinson paid the fine, but the
laws of New Jersey make the fine in such
case 500 or an imprisonment of six months,
or both. OF course hadn't any say in the
matter, but thought it strange that Mr..
Smith should allow Mrs. Wilkinson to still
retain possession of the child, and to think
that Justice Cassidy would impose such a
small fine. Nothing since has been said of
the case except the talk of the neighbors,
who are vehement in their expressions
against Mrs. Wilkinson. Her husband is a
good man and a sort Of preacher, and 1
don't think he knew anything about the
case, but she commands money, and the
case is settled"
The case has caused bitter feeling
against Mrs. Wilkinson, aud the fact that
the child is still in her possession causes
much talk. Mrs. Wilkinson lives in very
fine residence in Westmont.