November 10, 1943: Mystery Abortion in Illinois

West Suburban Hospital

On Monday, November 8, 1943, 28-year-old Mary Hosang was admitted to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois, ailing from a criminal abortion. The next day her condition was so critical that doctors performed an undisclosed surgery to try to save her life. 

Mary told Oak Park police that a woman "on 63rd street" had done the abortion, but she refused to name the woman. Mary said that she had told her husband, Elmer, a factory worker, that she was doing shopping while he waited for her in the car while the abortion was being perpetrated.

The doctor's efforts were in vain. Mary died on November 10.

Source: "Bares Abortion by Woman and Dies in Hospital," Chicago Daily Tribune, November 11, 1943