SAVAGE BARBARITY – Some time ago an Italian employed in a Lumber camp somewhere on the Northumberland side of the boundary between Northumberland and Queen’s counties, had his legs so badly frozen that both were amputated. The people of the camp belonged, we believe, to the parish of Chipman, Queen’s county. At all events he was taken to that parish and became a charge on it. The rate payers of the parish were very impatient of this burden, and more than once deliberated on the best mode of getting rid of it. It is said that some person deliberately proposed to do away with the Italian for £5. He did not say in what manner he was to effect this, but the rate payers or Justices, although they entertained the application, did not accept so dark looking a proposal. They afterwards, however, made, with a man whose name we have not learned, an agreement which was very similar in its real character, although different in name The Italian could not speak English, and in his miserable condition his mental powers seemed to be impaired, and he was, in every respect, most helpless. They pretended to arrive at the conclusion that it would be best to send him to the Italian Consul at Liverpool, and they made an agreement with the man we have alluded to, that he should, for a sum of £25, bring the poor Italian to St. John and thence send him to Liverpool. They took no pains, however, to see that this agreement was fulfilled. They got rid of the burden and cared no more what become of a poor stranger cripple, in whose fate they supposed none would take the slightest interest. It was rumoured soon after the Italian was removed, that he was not sent to Liverpool at all. Enquiries having been set on foot it had been ascertained that the poor miserable helpless creature was put on board a coasting vessel in St. John and taken down the Bay, and that he was put ashore on a lonely spot somewhere near little River, in the State of Maine, without proper shelter or covering of any kind, and with only one day’s provisions. Unable to move he could not have made his way to any settlement in the neighbourhood, and if not found he must have perished. Unable to make himself understood there was much danger that even if he were seen those who ground him may not learn how cruelly he had been abandoned. Fortunately some children saw him and this led to his rescue, else all who were concerned in this brutal outrage might now have been in prison charged with the crime of murder. It is well for them that the enquiries made have led to the discovery that the Italian was found in time to prevent his dying of famine or exposure to the weather; but it will be a shame to the Province if such inhumane wretches be suffered to go wholly unwhipt of justice.

Source: Morning Freeman Correspondant, "Savage Barbarity," Morning Freeman (St. John, NB), September 15, 1863.

Return to parent page