April 25, 1932: Hard-Working Co-Ed's Fatal Abortion

Update: My annual research found that Virginia Lee Wyckoff had died on April 25, not April 24. 

Dr. J. W. Eisiminger

Virginia Lee Wyckoff, a University of Oklahoma student, age 21, died from complications of an abortion on April 25, 1932 Hers was one of a string of deaths in the city that year. 

According to her obituary, Virginia also operated a dressmaker shop near the campus. She was a sophomore in the college of fine arts and a member of the Polo and Riding Association. She was survived by her mother, sister, and brother. They took her body to Centerville, Iowa for burial.

Dr. J.W. Eisiminger, an osteopath, was tried and convicted of murder in Virginia's death. He admitted to having treated her in his office on April 3, but said that he didn't believe she was pregnant. Nevertheless, Virginia spent several days in a private home where Eisiminger kept recovering abortion patients under the care of Mrs. Luther Bryant Price. 

Dr. Richard Thacker, who had an abortion patient of his own die on April 24, 1932, also used Mrs. Price's home as a recovery center for his abortion patients.

Virginia was transferred from Mrs. Prices's home to Oklahoma City General Hospital, where she died of septicemia, first having told doctors there that Eisiminger had performed the fatal abortion.. A deathbed statement absolving Eisiminger was proven to be a forgery.

Eisiminger was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to murder in her abortion death. The sentence was later reduced to 15 years.

Sources:

• "Abortion", The Oklahoman, Apr. 4, 1937
• "Eisiminger is Given Parole", The Oklahoman, Feb. 6, 1942
• "Eisiminger to Face Renewed Death Charge", The Oklahoman, Mar. 26, 1937
• "Fixings of 'Real Guilt' Pledged by Eisiminger",The Oklahoman, Nov. 16, 1943
• "Second City Doctor Faces Death Charge", The Oklahoman, Apr. 29, 1932
• "Abortion Ring", Time, Monday, 9 May, 1932
• "Report Confession in Death of Girl," Milwaukee Journal, Mar. 28, 1937
• "Investigation of Many Suspected Cases Under Say," Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, Apr. 29, 1932
• "Illegal Surgery Kills Seven Girls," Asbury Park (NJ) Press, Apr. 29, 1932
• "Jail Osteopath, Seek Doctor in Co-eds' Deaths," Elmira (NY) Star-Gazette, Apr. 29, 1932
• "Osteopath Faces Charge of Murder," Newport News (VA) Daily Press, Apr. 29, 1932
• "Osteopath Accused in Oklahoma Death," Omaha World Herald, April 29, 1932
• "At Least Five Girls Dead After Illegal Operations in Oklahoma City District," Mexia (TX) Weekly Herald, April 29, 1932