The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-04
THRUST into
DARK PRISON
Public School Pupils Accused
Janitor Of Cruelty.
he LOCKED BOY IN CELLAR
Refuses 10 LET Mother See Child and Is
Promptly Placed Uadsr
Arrest

New York. Sept. 4-Elting H. Terwili-
ger. janitor OF the Catharine street pub
lie school. was arrested yesterday by De-
tectives Roberts and Callahan OF the Oak
street station. He is charged with strik-
ing little Bernie Bergman. n pupil. and
locking him In the cellar for two days
and nights. while his parents sought the
lad In vain.
When found on the morning of Aug. IL
the boy was lying on the stairs leading to
the fourth floor Of the school. He was un-
conscious and had a deep cash across his
forehead. He does not know how he was
moved from the cellar TO the upper floor
or how he came by the cash In his fore
head. He has only recently recovered suf-
ficiently to tell how he was struck and
locked UP In the cellar.
Terwilliger was arraigned before Mag
istrate Pool in Centre street court and
listened intently while the Bergman boy.
still very pale and with a bandage about
his head. gave evidence against him. The
boy is seven and a half years old and
very bright for his age. He repeated the
statement already published and was
coroborated by another pupil. Minnie
Polopsky, who testified that she saw Ter
williser lock Bernie in the cellar.
Mrs Ida Bergman, mother OF the lad.
told Of her search for the boy. She said
she had searched the school house sew
eral times in company with the prisoner
during the two days her boy was miss
ing, but that the prisoner declined to per-
NIT her 10 search the cellar.
No USE LOOKING THERE.
''He told me-" she said. that the cell
lar was kept locked and that there was
no use looking there. Every time
searched the school / went over the stairs
where my boy was found and he was not
there then"
Israel Gordon, a pupil In the summer
school, told of finding Bernie on tho
stairway. Bernie's shirtwaist was stain
ed with blood and the wound upon his
forehead was covered with dirt. Young
Gordon said he thought the lad was dead
and ran and told one OF the teachers.
What did she do?" asked the magis-
trate.
"She did not do anything" replied the
witness "She told me 70 so and get
policeman"
fellow was hurt, or TO give him assist
snce7"
mo. sir. She did not go near him."
OFFICER" said Magistrate Pool, II
want you TO find out that woman's name
and have her In court tomorrow"
Further examination was adjourned un-
I'll 2 p. m, today 20 permit the summon
ing OF other witnesses. A subpoena was
issued for Lille Bertram who was sit
ting on the roof-garden OF the school with
Bernie when. II is alleged, the janitor
struck the lad. and who claims that he
struck her also because she and Bernie
had pulled their chairs too close to the
music"
GIRLS TELL OF THREAT.
Subpoenas were also given 10 the de-
tectives for Florence Bergman and Lulu
Zoch They have stated that the day be-
fore the incident on the roof-garden Ter
williger struck Bernie because he was
waving his arms as he marched I'm line,
and that the janitor said to him as he
pulled him out OF the line: IF I catch
you up here again I'll FIX you"
Janitor Terwilliger was admitted 20 ball
I'm 5000. Patrick Nevin. OF lA Henry
street, went on his bond. Terwilliser said
TO a reporter;
II have been In charge Of schools for
seven years and have never before had
any complaints made against me. Do 1
look like man who would do such
thing as this7 have children Of my own.
and am no brute.
There are other pupils who claim that
you struck them or locket them In the
cellar" said the reporter
We'll. ,heyil have 20 prove IT," was
the reply.
Terwilliger was asked II he had told
Mrs Bergman. while her boy was miss
ing. that he had seen two big boys carry
ing n small boy toward the river
II don't care 90 say anything further
now" was the reply.
"I'u make n statement after court"
He declined 10 talk after the court pro-
ceedings.