Bruises Covered Body Of Little Sarah Bradshaw

BRUISES COVERED BODY OF LITTLE SARAH BRADSHAW

Says Ex-Chief of Police Gerstner When Seen Friday Night

He Took the Child From Her Adopted Mother Three Years Ago and Sent Her to the Home of the Friendless

If the reports are true that are now in circulation relative to the treatment Sarah Bradshaw, the young girl rescued from a disreputable resort in Toledo by the police, received from her adopted mother, Mrs. Charlotte Bradshaw, of 421 Thompson street, then it is little wonder that the girl wanted to put as much distance as possible between herself and Ann Arbor.

Ex-Chief of Police William Gerstner is one of those who know something of the treatment accorded the girl at the Thompson street home. He was chief of police about three and a half years ago when persons living in the vicinity of the Thompson street house complained to him of the cruel methods that were used with the young girl who was found in Toledo on Thursday last. He was asked to take action in the matter.

"I went to Mrs. Bradshaw's house and took away the girl," said Mr. Gerstner." "She told me that Mrs. Bradshaw had treated her cruelly and told me of the occasions on which she had been badly used."

"Was there any evidence that she had had cruel treatment?" was asked.

"Yes," replied Mr. Gerstner, "the child's body was covered with bruises where she had been beaten."

"Was the matter not made public at that time?' inquired the reporter.

KEPT AFFAIR QUIET.

"No," said the former police chief. "Mrs. Bradshaw's stepson, the Rev. William Bradshaw, and others succeeded in keeping the affair quiet. I took the little girl to the Home of the Friendless in Detroit but I understand she attempted to escape from there and in jumping from a second story window of the place broke her shoulder blade. When she was here, the little one was made to do work when she ought to have been in school. She came back to Ann Arbor after leaving the Home Of the Friendless, in Detroit, and I don't know what became of her afterward."

Other instances of cruelty to the child are related. It is said that on one occasion she was found locked up in an outhouse in cold weather.

About a week ago Mrs. Bradshaw called one evening at the office of Chief of Police Warner to ask for their assistance in looking up the child. Warren and "Tip" Ball were in the office when the woman put in her appearance. She was questioned by the chief as to her treatment of the young girl, but it is said that she at once became quite reticent and hurriedly left the office.

Mrs. Bradshaw was seen this morning by an Argus reporter and asked what she had to say about the reports of her cruelty to her adopted daughter. At first she was indisposed to make any statement, but when the specific acts of cruelty charged against her were mentioned, she began to talk.

DENIES THE CHARGE.

"It Is reported, Mrs. Bradshaw," explained the reporter, "that an ex-chief of police came here one day and found your daughter locked up in an outhouse in a naked condition. Is that true?"

"It is not," was the reply. "I never cruelly treated the child. I was merely firm with her."

Mrs. Bradshaw was then reminded that the neighbors had made complaint to the police of the alleged cruelties to the child. Mrs Bradshaw then went on to say that she had had a "lewd" girl once employed in her kitchen and that this girl had told little Sarah Bradshaw that Mrs. Bradshaw was not her own mother and advised the child to go and find her sister. Mrs. Bradshaw said it was on account of her firmness with the child then that she was accused of treating her badly.

Asked if she had made any arrangements to get the child from the custody of the Toledo police, Mrs. Bradshaw said she had communicated with the Rev. William Bradshaw, who is in Oberlin, Ohio, and that he would be here in a few days.

Rev. William Bradshaw is the stepson of Mrs. Bradshaw. He was at one time pastor of the Congregational church here, but left the city, it is said, because of the unpleasantness of the Thompson street home.

Mrs. Bradshaw called at the sheriff's office last night and asked if she could have a warant issued for the arrest of her daughter. She was informed that she could and was taken to Justice Doty's court for the purpose of having the document made out. When she got there, however, she refused to have the warrant issued.

GONE TO WHEELING.

This morning it is learned that the young girl was sent to her aunt, Mrs, Charles Shreves, in Wheeling, W. Va., yesterday by the Toledo police.

When Mrs. Bradshaw was asked if the girl's aunt in Wheeling would take care of her, she said she thought that the Wheeling woman would not want the girl. Mrs. Shreves, she said, was in quite a feeble condition and was not able to care for anyone.

The Toledo Bee in telling of how money was collected to send the girl on her way to Wheeling, says:

"Detective Jack Welch, who was in on the raid on Mrs. Delauder's resort at the corner of Beach and Michigan streets, was profoundly impressed with the truthfulness of the girl's story, and said he would start a collection to purchase her a ticket to Wheeling. Judge Cooper and Prosecuting Attorney Lott each subscribed generously to help the girl on her way."

The Bee in describing the arraignment of the young woman in the Toledo police court, says:

"When arraigned in police court this morning, it took but a glance to pick from the others Pearl Evans, or Sarah Bradshaw, to give her the name she claims is hers by adoption.

"The youthfulness of the prisoner and the innocence expressed by her open countenance and great brown eyes, contrasted strangely, yet vividly with the faces of her associates, who were Fannie Delauder, charged with keeping a house of prostitution; Lizzie Schroeder, charged with visiting the house; and three men, two of whom were sons of Mrs. Delauder and who, according to the testimony of the detectives and patrolmen, enticed young girls into their mother's bagnio, to send them forth ruined in the eyes of the world.

"While the others were found guilty and served with various fines, Acting Police Judge Cooper's discriminating eye soon picked out the young woman from her companions, and he said he wanted to talk to her after court."