A Singular Story of an Unfortunate Mother’s Fortitude.
On the 17th inst (day) Oct. 1873., in the vault of an out-house in the village of Clinton, was found a newly-born infant with its throat cut. Suspicion pointed to a German girl who had been employed in the family owning the property, and it was subsequently ascertained that the suspicion was correctly directed. The facts developed show one of the most remarkable cases of fortitude under the most trying circumstances, which
has ever come to light in this county.
The girl is named Mary Walker, and on the night previous she attended a dance, remaining there until quite late and on Saturday morning performing her domestic duties as usual. During the forenoon the family with whom she lived left home for a visit, leaving her entirely alone in the house. About 11 o’clock the child was born, the unfortunate girl having no one with her. After the child was born, the girl got up and taking the child to the out-house, cut its throat and threw it in the vault. She then rinsed the bed-clothes and put them in a satchel, and continued about the house until night, when a young man of her acquaintance came to see her. After he had been there some time, she asked him to take her home, and he consented, and went for his horse and buggy. To no one had the girl told anything of her trouble, and when the buggy was brought she put into it her satchel, containing the wet bed-clothes, and getting into the buggy she put her feet on the satchel, and rode the nine miles to her home.
It is, perhaps, unnecessary to add after telling so much of this sad story, that the girl at present is lying at the point of death, and hence nothing has been done in the way of taking legal action in her case.
-The Adrian Weekly Times and Expositor