The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-03-29

A shocking and startling story
OF human depravity has drifted
to the surface through an investi-
gaiion on the part of the state board of
charities OF the wretched circumstances
surrounding the birth OF a child to Ann
Smith. an inmate OF the institution for the
deaf and dumb. On the night OF Feb.
Is the woman on watch in the TO-
male department OF the institution had
made her rounds at midnight and found
everything quiet. An hour later she re-
turned, and when she passed Anna Smiths
room she looked in.
Another deaf mute girl was in the room
and pointed the night watch to the bed.
upon which Anna was resting apparently
buried in slumber. The other girl made
a motion with her arms as of a mother
holding babe TO her breast, and again
pointed to the bed. When the attendant
pulled down the covers slightly, she was
shocked to find lying In Anna's arms q
newborn babe.
The girl who was with her in the room
told q startling story. She said Anna, be-
tween IL and o'clock had gone to a
closet where, unattended. the accouch-
ment had taken place. She had then
bathed tie child, wrapped II in flannel,
attended TO her own great necessities and
returned to her bed where she was found
by tho night watch, apparently doing as
we'll as though the distressing affair had
been looked after by experienced attend
ants.
Superintendent Johnson was notified
and Immediately summoned physician.
Tho child, female, died at o'clock a. m.
A meeting OF the state board OF charities
was called by superintendent Johnson,
and the statements of Mr.. Johnson, tho
matron, the attending physician and tho
unfortunate girl were taken. Anna,
through an interpreter, stated
that during her vacation last
summer she had submitted TO incestuous
intercourse with her own brother. John
smith, who Is twenty-nino years OF age,
OF fair intelligence and possessed OF both
the power OF speech and hearing. Tho
board sent subcommittee to Aurora,
Ind, Anna's home. and her mother, Mary
smith, with other members OF the family,
wac subjected 10 a rigid examination.
Anna and two other children were first
sent 10 The school for the feeble
minded, the girl, who is now
twenty years old, being sub.
sequently sent 10 tho deaf mute institu-
ton. The committee found that the
brother. John. had once been involved in
trouble sprnging cut OF his running a
young girl in Aurora
The board has since been quietly pur-
suing its investigations, and has filed re-.
port with Governor Matthews exoner-
ating the management of tho institution
from blame. The report does not def.
nitely iasten the blame upon any
one. As coon ne the child
was born John Smith was cum
moned here and asked what
should be done with the infant. Bury
il of course" was his reply and he inn
mediately returned 10 Aurora. lie re-
fused to come before the board for sx-
animation.
Anna is but four feet tall and is not
possessed of strong mind. She has been
sent back 10 her home. Her father died
several years ago. Governor Matthews to
SENTINEL reporter yesterday said he
WAS much Inundated that go awful a
thing should have occurred and that the
only reason for keeping the unhappy
affair suppressed was that the author OF
the outrage might be more surely and
safely brought TO justice.