INFANTICIDE!

Is an Alleged Crime Agitating the South Side

The Infant ot Mr, and Mrs, Edward Leonard Meets Death Under Very Peculiar Circumstances

Coroner Haly Now Investigating the Case

The "South Side" is all agog over an alleged infanticide.

Five months ago Miss Cora Cristy, daugh- ter of Jess Cristy, aged about 16, was married to Edw. Leonard, a day laborer who migrated to Henry county about a year ago. Thursday morning, the 13th inst., a baby daughter was born. This same baby lies buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. And this is the extent of what is postively known.

But the question has arisen as regards its death. Ugly rumors have been afloat for several days and in investigating these rumors a Nouthwest reporter called on Mrs. Matt Bigford, the next door neighbor of the Cristys.

From her it was learned that the Leonards and Cristys together with old Mrs, Fritz, live in one house. The baby was born on Thursday morning about two o'clock, Mrs. Bigford called at the house about 7 o'clock and asked to see it. The reply was that it had died and she was given to understand that she could not see the body.

Later on in the day she called again and claims she heard the baby crying in the next room and so stated to the grandmother, who said the noise was that of a ferrit the boys had in the back yard.

Several other neighbors called, to whom evasive answers were given when the condition of the baby was asked, among others that it was sick and must not be bothered.

Mrs, William Haynes, sister of Mrs. Jess Cristy and aunt to the mother of the baby, came down from Holgate and to the statement that the baby was dead, expressed herself as determined to see it. In company with Mrs. Bigford they found the baby lying in the bed and covered with several heavy bed quilts, Lifting it up, it opened its eyes, gasped several times and died.

Regarding this, the actual death of the infant, Mrs. Bigford is uncertain whether it was on Thursday or Friday evening, she being greatly excited and unable to fix dates. However it is presumed that it was Friday as she claims the burial took place Saturday morning at two o'clock.

Dr. Marvin's Story

Dr. Marvin was the attending physician. He was called Thursday morning at 2 o'clock and performed the necessary service. He found.the baby to be a healthy one and was somewhat surprised when requested not to tie the navel cord, a failure to do which could not result otherwise than in death by bleeding. Of course he refused to comply with the request and the proper treatment was given.

Five hours later the doctor was again summoned to attend to the mother. He asked the baby's condition and was told that it had died. He wished to see the body but the grandmother said it had been buried.

The Coroner Acts

Suspicions of smothering the babe being common talk, Dr. Haly, Coroner, decided to make an investigation. On Tuesday afternoon he, in company with Dr. Bloomfield and Marshal Barns, went to Forest Hill, exhumed the remains and made a post mortem examination.

The doctors are reticent on what their report will be and refuse to give the condition of the body touching on the smothering theory. The body was buried in a pine store box and had on a plain wrap. It was very black. The stomach was opened and found to have contained no nourishment since birth. And this, notwithstanding it is claimed to have lived nearly two days!

Leonard all along has denied being father of the child, and his denial is generally accepted. The prosecuting attorney's action will be delayed ontil the coroner makes his report.