The Evening Telegraph

AN INHUMAN CRIME.

Death of a Little Girl from the Effects of Violence—The Perpetrator of the Deed Unknown and at Large.

On Thursday evening last was perpetrated in this city one of the most diabolical and fiendish acts recorded in the annals of crime, and though the victim of the inhuman act is laid in the grave, the perpetrator is unknown, and there seems no probability that human justice will ever be meted out to him.

At about 6 o'clock on last Thursday evening Jennie Patterson, a little girl about nine years of age, whose parents reside at No. 731 Green street, was sent by her mother to a store near the corner of Madison and Halsted streets to purchase some groceries. The little messenger had faithfully done her mission, and was returning to her home, when she was accosted by an unknown man, who asked her if she was the daughter of Mr. James Patterson. The child replied that she was, whereupon the fellow told her that he had something to send to her father, and asked the little girl to accompany him to his office, where he would give her something to take to her parents. Anxious to be the bearer of anything that would please them, the child readily complied, and the ruffian, taking the hand of the child, conducted her to a lumber-yard on Canal street, where he accomplished his infamous design. Though fearfully hurt and terribly frightened, the little girl was prevented from making any outcry by threats of instant death. When the brutal wretch had succeeded in the accomplishment of vengeance by the violent outrage, he left the child on the street. When the little one returned home she told the story of the fearful wrong that had been committed upon her person, but was not able to identify or even describe the villain, as there seemed no possibility of bringing the criminal to justice, the parents determined to hide from the world the knowledge of the deed, and nothing was said about it. Though seriously injured, under proper treatment the child was enabled, on Tuesday afternoon, to go out upon the street, though she was quite weak. While playing about, the little girl tripped upon the street railway track on Madison street, and fell violently to the ground. She was picked up and carried to her home, where she soon expired in the arms of her loving parents. A coroner's inquest was held upon the body, and a verdict was yesterday afternoon rendered that the child had died from the effects of the fall, though there can be but little doubt that the real cause of death was the outrage committed upon her.

Thus another fearful crime has been committed. The victim lies in the silent grave, while the author of the villainy rests in security.—Chicago Republican 25th.