Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-18
MARY METZDORFF's CRIME.
The Sixteen-Y ear-Old Baltimore Girl
Who Tried to XIII Whole Family.

Interest in the strange case OF Mary Metz
dorff. the sixteen-year-old Baltimore girl who
KILLED two persons and nearly killed her mother.
increased yesterday by a letter which the girl
sent from the city Jail Public sentiment is
divided as to whether the girl is insane or de-
PRAYED or both. The Metzdorff family is in
humble but comfortable circumstances. 1t
consists Of the father and mother, a young son.
the daughter Mary and Mrs. Louisa Broad
water, who lived in the house. Mrs. Metzdorff
is Mary's stepmother. They got along better
than stepmothers and stepdaughters usually
do, except that several months ago Mary ran
away several times and showed . tendency to
wildness.
On April Inst Mary secured position with q
medical company which uses poisons and chem
icals in its preparations In June a lot of lump
arsenic was purchased and part OF it was used
The rest remained in a can. to which the en-
ployes had access. On he 7th of this month
one of the largest Jumps was missing. The
next morning Mary was called to make the
coffee for the family. Mrs. Broadwater saw
her pounding and crushing lump of white
stuff with potato masher.
When the two women and the boy slipped the
coffee the boy complained OF a burning sensa-
ton. Then Mrs. Metzdorf and Mrs. Broad
water had the same experience. In few min
utes they were suffering intensely. The boy
ran as rapidly as he could for physician. Mrs
Broadwater died after seven hours OF agony
The boy fingered until the next morning. when
he, too. died The mother hung between life
aud death for two days, but her recovery il
now more than probable. Before diving Mrs.
Broadwater told what she had seen.
The police arrested Mary at the factory. She
burst ont crying. but soon became calm and
denied all knowledge Of the crime. She was
taken before Mrs. Broadwater, who was still
alive, to hear the evidence against her. She
said nothing and exhibited no emotion what
ever. When she reached the cell she became
hysterical again. For two days she sulked. re-
frsinS food. On Sunday Police Sergeant Col
Inns went TO hor cell and advised her to tell the
truth about the case. She calmly confessed
to taking the arsenic home. The lump was
about the size Of hens egg, enough to poison
\ dozen families.
Il did it for fun" she said. "and l didn't
want to hurt anybody"
After the eoroner's inquest Mary lapsed into
her usual mood The news OF the death of her
brother did not affect her yisibly. She was
considerably interested in the taking of her
photograph, aud spent the week psssiveiy.
Now comes new phase OF the strange case
in the following letter which she wrote and
sent to her mother yesterday:
DEAN MAJ write TO You telling yon that
an in Jail. DO not like the Jail, but do not
think Will ever get clear of this crime which I
have done. l am so sorry; bnt it is no use now.
for expect to be in prison all the DAYS OF my
lite. But 1 had no business to do what did.
But it il done. and will be the sufi srer. l
hope you will get entirely we'll / reau in the
paper Of my own dear brothers death, and it
Is not night passes that don't think OF you
all and pray to God that you might get we'll.
suppose 1t near killed pa when he heard OF
it, but hope it wall ali be over, but with me it
will never be over"
Mary then goes on to request her mother to
send her clothing, ribbons, bonnet &c; her
prayer book and silver modal which her
pastor, Father Lyons. OF st. Mary's Star Of the
Sea Catholic Church, gave her. Continuing
she writes:
"Wher go into court want to look respect
able. 30 don't forget to send these things Try
and come to see me tomorrow. and if not. send
my brothers out and bring me something 10
eat The matrons are very nice ladies. do
not like tins place and do not sleep ut night
but am always thinking OF what nice home
had. But will behave myself while am here
Give nay love TO pa and nay brothers and keep
the largest share for yourself and God bless
you all. This il all | have to say, for cannot
speak any more OF that crime have done.
From your daughter. NARY METzpoRrF.
please send me my knitting and needle"
The prisoner Ia al composed US il nothing
had happened. There is a great deal of specn.
lation a TO what the result Of her trial
will be.