Year: 1869

S. O., THURSl-
presumed that this was new business, the like
never having been heard of before, yet this is not
80. There are quite number, mostly Germans,
vino follow the same business; but they are very
careful not to divulge the same as it is said they
are making an independent fortune. 1t isa regu'
larly established business in France and Germany,
and in many places they pay so much for the pro
ceeds of the sewers 1t is said that there have
been those who have tried to accustom themselves
to the business, but who were unable, in many in
stances, to endure the unhealthy odor and poison.
Gus gases. ...-. .'-.-. .


The first trip ever taken by our informer along
the sewers of the city was on Courtlandt street, in
search of pocket-book that had been lost in the
sink of one of the prominent hotels on that street.
and which contained 81, $50 in money, and drafts
and notes to the amount of $4,000. The sink
had been searched, but all efforts to recover the
lost property were fruitess it was evident that il
had been washed out into the main sewer, and the
owner offered the whole amount Of money in cash,
81, $780, should it be recovered. Hermann, for as
such he was known among his associates, conolu-
ded to work the street sewer that night and see if
it was possible to find the same. That night, ae.
companied by two others, be equipped himself in
full rubber suit, revolver, hook, dark Ian
tern, and sieve shovel. Descending, at the first
opening, which was about block below the hotel,
he set out on his journey on his hands and knees,
through the dismal passage-way. He had no
sooner got well under way, the powerful light from
the dark lantern affording him plenty Of light,
when be came face to face with one Of the largest
dock rats that be had ever seen. The power of the
light seemed to stagger the rat for moment, when
Hermann drew his pistol and shot him dead. He
then resumed operations, and sifted after mud and
filth as be went along. The first thing of note that
he found was the body Of still born, about three
or four months old. On lifting it, it was so much
decomposed that it fell apart A little further, he
picked up silver watch, with common cord
tied to it, and it had evidently been some time in
the sewer. Keeping on, he soon picked up two
silver tablespoons, one bearing the word "Nation-
al," and evidently belonging to the hotel Of the
same name, which is located on the same street ;
he also picked up part of an old silver urn. As
he lifted the piece of urn he felt something heavy
against it, which he at first imagined to be piece
Of board but when taking it out 10 and behold!
it was the identical lost pocket-book All was
found safe within; but wet through and through.
Being unable to turn in the sewer, he was forced
to back out; and in short time he was at the
opening, and in a few moments found himself safe
on terra )rnaa Returning home, he dried the
bills, notes and papers; and the following morning
handed over the book and contents to their owner,
who fairly jumped with joy at the recovery.
When told how it had been recovered, he could
hardly believe it. The $l,35O was paid over to
Hermann, receiving, besides, an order for new
suit Of clothes from the proprietor Of the ho-
TEL


The most extended journey ever made by Her
mann was through Vesey street sewer to Broad
way, thence to Barclay, and down Barclay to the
outlet at the river On Vesey street he picked up
numerous spoons of every description, especially
in the vicinity of the Astor House, and the case of
gold watch. He also found broken bracelet, a
dirk-knife and a pair Of gold spectacles On
Broadway he found neat ross-banded dirk, and
on Barclay street, picked up over forty dollars in
money. Some two years after the above journey,
he made another tour over the same route, and
found lady's purse containing over $l07 in gold,
also an old pocket book with eighty-four cents in
lit.


In the spring of 1864, be was called upon to re-
cover heavy gold wedding-ring, that had been
dropped down sink by lady, and who seemed
tod &C. loo, Mooou 1roo oh
ject if the ring could be recovered. The sink was
cleansed but no ring could be found. The sewer
was accordingly visited that night, and after dill
gent search of the passage-way leading from the
dwelling to the main sewer, the ring was found
after nearly two hours hard work. He was made
present of 5000 for his trouble, besides what was
awarded his associates.


I During the ten years that Hermann followed the
above ife he states that, at times, he found over
300 stilborn infants in the various sewers of the
city. As general thing, he would bring them
out at the opening at the river, and would receive
certain amount from the Coronersfor such bodies,
while they would be benefit to the Coroner fnan-
cially for holding an inquest on the same. The
press seldom took notice Of such triAing cases. In
fact it was very rare that publicity was given to
any of them. Chambers street, he states, was the
greatest on record for finding still born infants.
He never visited it but he was sure to come across
one or two, and sometimes as many as hVe or SIX.
The only reason he accounts for there being so
many on the above street was that there was loca-
ted on that street one of the most noted abortion
lists ever known in this country, and in whose
house hundreds and hundredso of females have been
operated upon, and abortions produced. The sink
was, of course, used to carry off and conceal that
which would once have been human being. The
woman who then occupied the building now resides
in one of the most costly mansions on Fifth Ave
nue. where she carries on the SAME business, but
only caters for those of wealth, and who can pay
her the highest prices for her services Any pleas
ant afternoon she can be seen riding out on Cen
tral Park in her carriage, and often accompanied
by some delicate young woman who has been VIC
tim to her heish practice.


One night Hermann determined to make tour
from river to river. He entered one OF the large
sewers on the North river side and came out at the
mouth of Maiden Lane sewer; at one place be
came in contact with hot steam from boiler but
it being Sunday, it did not amount to much, and
he passed it with little or no trouble. During the
journey he found any quantity Of things-spoons
without number, silver cup, two rings, liquor
flask, a new pocket-book empty a bundle Of law
yer's papers, necklace, and any number of pieces
of coin.-Ne,o Iork Sunday Mercu7y.