EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF LIL TREATMENT.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1413, 26 August 1878, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF LIL TREATMENT.

[Prom the “Sydney Evening News,” July 27th.] One of the most shocking cases of neglect and starvation that doubtless have ever been heard of in this land of plenty has come to light in Sydney within the past few days. The case is that in which an unfortunate cripple—a young woman of twenty-eight years—has been subject to long-continued ill-treatment at the hands of her own mother and sisters. The unfortunate being was starved and left exposed to the bitter cold of the season and the heavy rains till the spark of life had almost fled. The neighbors knew there was a terrible case of suffering alongside them, but there was never a complaint to them. The unfortunate girl could not move from her wretched bed; that was her position for twenty years. And she was dumb. Still, when all was at rest the unfortunate creature, neglected by her drunken mother and cruel sisters, would suddenly make night hideous by her peculiar cries, either from pain, or thirst, or hunger. The Sisters of Mercy from time to time sought medical advice and the assistance of the police, but the mother baffled all their efforts. Then food and raiment were provided the sufferer, only to be cruelly taken from her the next moment, and pawned or sold for drink. Will it be believed that the food was actually stolen, sold for drink, and that then the poor creature, when motioning for food, would ho brow-beaten till she would endeavor to hide her face in the bags that partly covered her. She soon became a living skeleton. There was no flesh on the body, and the bones actually protruded through the skin. The arms were twisted out of all shape, and the fingers, twice their usual length, grew peculiarly over the back of the hand, till the hands presented the appearance of Hoppers. It was enough to turn the stoutest heart to see the creature motion for food or water. A gaping wound was made along her arm where in its uncontrolled movements it would knock against the wall. The legs were so affected by exposure as to be drawn completely up to the chest, and were actually lifeless. The wretched couch on which she lay cannot be described. The “Samaritan,” a gentleman who is every day, unknown to all, quietly doing good in this city,- found her out, and resolved never to rest till he got her under a more kindly roof. Day after day and night after night he visited the house, which is situated at Chippendale, and argued with the mother, who was always intoxicated, to let him take her away. Eventually he succeeded, and, with another good friend, procured a hammock, and under cover of darkness conveyed her on their shoulders a distance of nearly four miles to a house in Darlinghurst, where clean bedding and food were provided her. Last night our reporter visited this house. The condition of the unfortunate young woman was improved—almost entirely changed—but not one in a thousand could look on unmoved at the sad picture of what neglect and starvation had wrought. She know the footstep of the “Samaritan,” and when he placed his hand in his basket to draw forth some food, a smile came over tho face of the unfortunate girl, and in mute signs she thanked him for his great kindness. Her weeping was bitter to look upon as some one in the room spoke of the ill-treatment she had suffered. She is now in kind hands.