Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-30
SHE WAS ABDUCTED
By Actors, Left in an Asylum, and
Had a Strange Experience.
BEFORE BECOMING AN HEIRESS.
A Birthmark and Resemblance May Pay
Julia Mitchell $4,000.
VGRIOUSIrEMs OF INTEREST IN COURTS


Sheehsn, of Sharpsburg, was taken mp in
Orphans Court, before Judge Hawkins,
yesterday. The case was opened by placing
Ann Sheehan, widow Of the deceased, on
the stand. She first testified that her hus-
band died in 1887, and his estate was valued
at between $50, 900 and $50, 900. She was
left q widow and married Sheehan in 1852.
She had daughter to Thomas Sheehsn in
1856; this child was removed and given into
the care of Mr.. Sheehan's brother, who
lived at Salisbury. This family was named
Gibbons The Gibbons family afterwards
moved West, taking the child with them.
1Gr. sheehan had, in 1864 tried to find his
daughter, but failed. and the witness never
saw the child until after her husbands death,
when the claimant called, and she identified
her by birthmark and her close resemblance
20 the deceased.
DR.. J. R. Robinson, of Sharpsburg, testified
that he had known Thomas Sheehan for many
years. He examined the claimant and found
on her a birthmark such as described by Mrs.
Sheehan. The claimant bore a very strong re-
semblance to the deceased
Julia Mary Mitchell, the claimant, was the
next witness. She is about IS years old, with
peculiar Celtic cast of features. Her story
was that when child, she lived in the West
with family called Gibbons. She was given
by them to some family, but was not kept long.
One day while playing on the street she was
accosted by two men who promised her candy.
One Of the men took her to place where steps
went up hill. She was taken into the house.
ana given IN charge of woman. The people
went By the name of Harrison. They were
actors. The family
FINALLY DESERTED HER,
and an actor named McClery took charge Of
her add took her to St Louis. and placed her
In an orphans home, from which place she was
taken by Mrs. Mitchell, Of New Castle. In
1857 she read Of the death Of Mr.. Sheehan and
of his peculiar life, and she concluded that she
was the lost daughter, and came on and Joined
her mother.
In the afternoon Miss Mitchell was nut
through rather severe cross-examination, but
she answered in a straightforward manner and
did not vary in the least from her rather re-
markable story.
Mrs. Frances Laugher, daughter of Mrs.
Sheehan by her first marriage, testified that
her fathers name was Best and while she was
yet child her mother gave birth to a daugh-
ter. This was after her fathers death.
Iucretia Churchheld, of New Castle testi-
ned to the chlld being brought to New Castle
BY Mrs. Mitchell. William Churchfield, of
New Castle, testified the same as his wife.
Miss Mary Laugher, granddaughter of Mrs.
Sheehan, testified that her grandmother had
told her OF the lost child and Of the birthmark
Mrs. Mary Kelly, daughter of Mrs. Sheehan,
testified that she at one time said to her mother
that there was no use Of Mr.. Sheehan working
30 hard, as his money would go to outside rela-
tiYes and her mother had told her that there
was daughter, and that she had seen her in
the market house. That was the first knowl-
daughter.
Mrs. Kate Roach, of sharpsburg, knew Mr..
eheehan for number of years. She had
conversation with Mrs. Sheehan one day and
she m nd eaid
she would know her by the birthmark. Mrs.
Sheehan had also told her of seeing the child
m the market house.
HE TOLD OF THIS DAUGHTER.
Mrs Patrick Haggerty, of sharpsburg, knew
Sheehan for Is years. She had a conversation
with Mrs. Sheehsn apd she told her the same
story as related by the previous witness The
witness stated that the claimant resembled the
deceased very much about the eyes and mouth,
and also in disposition. She had had a talk
with the man now deceased, and he had told
her that he had daughter who would inherit
his money. She afterward heard that the
child was in an orphan asylum Witness re-
lated a. conTethion she had with Mrs. Shee-
han in which the latter told her of a dream
about her missing daughter, who. she dreamed,
was working in a tailoring establishment
Mary Lutz, Of New Castle, testified about
Mr.. Mitchell bringing the child to New Castle
in 1865 The witness had talk with the girl
at the time, and tho story she told in court IN
the morning corresponded with the story told
her at that time. She saw the birthmark on
the girls person in 1870.
Miss Mitchell, the claimant, was recalled BY
the defense, and asked concerning her abdue-
uon by the actors. and she replied the same as
In her testimony in chief.
Rev. Father George s. Grace, pastor of St
1oseph's R. G. Church of Sharpsburg, was
Sheehzn's pastor from 1876 until he died He
testlned that there was very strong resem-
blance between the claimant and the deceased,
not only in appearance, but also in her walk
J. Haggerty and J. G. Seitz of Sharpsbure
who had known Thomas Sheehan for many
years, testified 70 the strong resemblance be-
tween the claimant and the deceased not only
in looks, but in general manner
The case viii be taken up on Wednesday
morning. The claimant has some additional
strong testimony TO offer. The case will prob
ably last three days, and is attracting general
attention among attorneys