The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-12
WHAT THE LADY saw AND HEARD
EYEssUFFUsED WITH BLOOD
INCAPABLE OF THOUGHT.

One step has at last been taken in the
Barrowcliff case which the public have
anxiously awaited-an outsider has been ad-
mitted to the sick girls room. I, together
with representative from New York
paper, was the fortunate one.
We were conducted by Warden Osborne
through the hospital ward. At the door OF
of the private room assigned to Miss Bar
rowcliff we were met by DR.. Varick.
After strict injunction on no account to
speak to the patient, was allowed to enter
and approach the bedside.
The room is small but has large, sunny
window in it and is fresh, eleanly and
pleasant.
The sick girl lay on an iron cot, such as
is commonly used in hospitals.
PITIABLE SIGHT.
OF course all the interest was centered in
the patient and most pitiable sight it was
to see her.
The rather childish face was very pallid,
save the slightest imaginable flush on each
cheek which looked more like the flush of
health than fever.
The hair, which Miss Barrowclif had al
ways worn rather short, was shaved close to
her head and across the top was deep dent
like bruise.
The forehead was hidden beneath an ugly
bandage and DR.. Varick explained that
deep cash extended straight from the hair to
the eyebrow.
There were slight discolorations on the
flesh of her face, perhaps as large as the
impress of the tip of ones thumb.
The eyes were the most noticeable fea-
ture of the patient.
The color could scarcely be seen they were
SO suffused with blood
She constantly turned her eyes restlessly
from one to the other occupants of the
room, as though she saw without compre-
hending.
HER FACE ExPREssIoNLEss.
Her face was perfectly expressionless, and
except by looking at first one then another
of us, she gave no indication that she knew
we were there.
DR.. varick told her gently to turn her
head so that the slight discolorations on the
neck could be seen, and she did it.
The DR.. varick told her to open her
eyes and turn them toward him.
She closed them as if misunderstanding his
words
He gently opened one eye with his fingers
to show how they were filed with blood,
and big tear rolled down her face.
Although she is weak, she does not appear
extremely SO, and could turn her head or
raise her hand without any very great
effort
While we stood looking at her some
workmen, working just outside her window,
blasted some rocks.
The report would not have seemed very
loud to a well person, but Miss Barrowclf
turned her head and in low voice said
s'What is that2'
The words were spoken rather quickly.
DIR. Varick did not speak directly to her
while was there, and she made no attempt
to speak to him.
HER MENTAL CONDITION.
Tt was impossible to form a correct opinion
of her mental condition, as was not al
lowed to speak to her; but she seemed very
i'll and in every way incapable of thought.
I asked Dr. Varick what other wounds she
had. and he said ..sbruises on her body"
'sNo cuts or other hurtsY' inquired
ssI only saw bruises" he said.
sWhat about the criminal assault, doctorw
said l.
II refuse to speak of it," replied DR..
varick. 81 have been so 1nisquoted that 1
might as well not speak, but see no reason
for contradicting my first opinion"
The Doctor then kindly handed me the
book in which her sayings and doings OF each
day are recorded, and up to eleven o'clock
she had spoken as follows to the nurse
WHAT SHE SAID TO THE NURSE.
Said she was pleased with herself and
s.sked for glass of water. Raised herself
Ssl bed, and in reply to an inquiry as to who
yere coming to see her today said, sDr.
varick," and after hesitating- Gertie."
The nurse asked, s'who is Gertiega
4 After thinking for while shS replied,
4 sGertie Dexterp
When asked where she lives says she can
fnot tell, then said, "On Grand street, near
the ferry. Gertie and board at Mrs. YER
non's"
She then asked, Nv mere were I'VE nVlngs :
That is the matter with my hair, it was
owing long2 hope will look quite re-
sctable."
Then she asked the nurse if she always
+ did this kind of work, and then said,
should think you would get tired"
asked Dr. Varick if she comprehended
our being in the room, and he said
at is hard to tell, she may or may not.
You can form some idea how bad is her
mental condition. I cannot permit You to
speak to her for she IS my first considera-
tion.s ss7