1925:Dr. Hagenow plies her trade

On December 16, 1925, 22-year-old Miss Bridget Masterson died in her Chicago home from a botched abortion. Police were able to question Bridget prior to her death, but she refused to implicate anybody. John O'Malley, a boarder and the father of Bridget's baby, committed suicide by gas after learning of Bridget's death. He left a note implicating "a lady doctor at 310 W. North Ave." This was the address of Dr. Lucy Hagenow.

Hagenow was arrested, but it is unclear when, since the date of her arrest is noted as being the day prior to Bridget's death. Hagenow was indicted for felony murder by a grand jury on January 5, 1926.

Hagenow was connected to numerous Chicago abortion deaths:

1899: Marie Hecht
1906: Lola Madison
1907: Annie Horvatich
1925: Lottie Lowy, Nina H. Pierce, Jean Cohen, , and Elizabeth Welter
1926: Mary Moorehead

Hagenow was typical of criminal abortionists in that she was a doctor.



For more on pre-legalization abortion, see The Bad Old Days of Abortion

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