Hide Article Text (OCR)
S. L. Meatrazat, Esq., and Col. T. B. Sea-right, conducted the defense. The evidence woa largely medical. Dr. J. P, Holbart, the Corunor, and Drs. J. A. Batten and F. J4. Stene, who bald the autopay. fcwtLBed that the gli l Lad Iwu prugnut, «uk! Ibofc sb« diedfrom the oft eels of on abortion. Dr. L. B. Gaddis testified that he attended the girl in her lust illness, and that she confessed to him on her deathbed that she bad been furnish*1 with medicine to procure an abortion, nod bad taken it. Dr. J. 9, Hackney, who was called in consultation with Dr. Gaddis, corroborated the latter. He also said that tbu girl’s death wm caused by the abortionist, and that she had seated that the latter was a doctor. County Commissioner Sidney H. Patterson Uvua in Dunbar. Ho mw Lida Lawrence going iato Dr. Walker’s office about June 1st, amd again the letter part of June. W. H. Speer, John McKuaker and H. P. Bmltfa gave similar evidence. Samuel Strea-scr, a Dunbar druggist, filled several prescriptions for Miss Law ranee, and he identified the empty bottles, one of which contained ergot. He said the prescript ions were signed “T. F. W.'f bo defendant swore that 5H»i Lawrence came to his office about May 3th, and statedthat eho had been doctoring with on Ohio doctor for ulceration of the womb. He examined her, bat found no evidences of it' Gave her ergot for hemorrhages, from whlcfc she said she was soffuring. She called agate in Juno and a third time July tith. On ths latter date be was sick and gure bur no mod-cine. Dr. Walker declared that be gave the girl uo medicine nor used any Inslruiuent to procure an abortion. Pador Stewurt, of tbo Dunbur Presbyterian churcb, swore that Dr Walker, was sick Ju bed July 3th. Wulker is witness's brother-in-law and takes his meal*at tbs Stewart residence. Drs. T. H. White, E. PhliHpa, W. H. Sturgeon, John Fuller anil Eastraau testified that ergot was uaed to control hemorrhage* and that it would not produce abortion unless given in large daws.In Ilia charge te the jury Judge Ewing udd; It appeared from some Df the testimony of the defense that an attempt had been made to prove that no abortion bad been performed upon the girl. The testimony of the physicians who beld’tbo autopsy, and the younglady's own dying statement, caste off all doubt as to this. I think you cannot hare a doubt that an abortion had been procured. If you take thU view of it, you bare only to And out whether Dr. Walker is guilty or nonof producing the abortion. TUare Is not te»-ttnioey which directly connect* Dr. Walker withHUe case. In such cases as this there is scarcely ever testimony to conuect a nun with auch crime*. These operations are per-fwmed In the seclusion of an office whore noae but the victim and tbo abortionist are present. On the part of the CmnmoDWMltfc they have proved that so abortion Had been procured; that death resulted from ft; that Mis* Lawrence visited Dr. Walker several times, and that he treated her for something; and their theory is that be performed the abortion. Tho defense proved by Dr. Walker himself that he treated her for another disease. That the amount of ergot he prescribed would not produce an abortion. This last fact was testified to by a number of ph/si-j cians, while tb© physician* for tbe commonwealth hnVl that it w»« sufficient.'' Th*' Judge concluded by cautioning the jury that they were not to be influenced by tbe bowb-paper reports of tbe tragedy.I The case went to the jury at $y$ o’clock.. Saturday moming. After arv absence of twe hours they returned a verdict of guilty, To the afternoon, Attorney Meatrerat, who bad argued the ccso for the defense filed an application for u now trial. Tlie penalty for tbt crime is a flue not exceeding fc'iOO and imprisonment not exceeding seven years,Tbe com* REnlrwt DiibUv* Blum* and LU sou Frank, the Leisenring beer agent*, wore taken up Wednesday morning. The Blum** made a groat effort to thwart justice, not heeltating to resort to bribery. It is said that several of tie witnesses subpojnaed by tl* Commonwealth were approachod and offered handsome sume of money If they would atay away from court aud not testify. Josoph Kjbbcrly. of Moyer, accepted tbo money offered blm with tbe secret determination of exposing the Bluniee, He kept tho moooy Intact until be went to court. He Hum displayed it much to tbe annoyanco of tbe defendants. Several other wltnewsew also testified that they had been approached and offered money to stay away from court. Afterthe evideoco in the cases was concluurd tbe court told the jury that it was not necessary for them to kora thavax, but to put their1 heads together aud render a verdict of guilty. The court theu exprewed himself vary clearly and forcibly on tho beer puddling business, which will put an end to that braiorea in the coha region. Ho said that the persona who; hauled or handled beer or liquor told illegally! were just as guilty as the parties who sold it After tbe verdict had been rendered, Gustave Bli^pe made hie way from the court room and left town, with the intention, it waathought, of jumping his boil. The authorities telegraphed the officials of Cotroeltevllle to look out for him, and the same afternoon be was picked up by Constable Campbell, taken back to Uulontown and lodged la jail. Judge Ewing instructed the District Attorney to moke an Information against Blame for briber v.Next to the Boyd murder case, the prosecution of Dr. Thomas P. Walker, o! Dunbar, for an alleged abortion performed upon Lida Lawrenco, a Union town typewriter girl, who died ffwn its effect* August 4tU teak, excited Che most attention. The case was taken up Friday afternoon last. District Attorney Fraabor represented tbe Commonwealth and
Newspaper Details
Connellsville Courier
Connellsville, Pennsylvania, US
Sun, Oct 18, 1891
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Becky H.
USA 18 Jun 2019
Other Publications Near Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Connellsville Weekly Courier
Connellsville Daily Courier
Connellsville Keystone Courier
Connellsville Courier
