Monday, April 14, 2008

1930: Dead in doc's office from back-alley abortion

Ethel Crowell, age 20, died on April 14, 1930, in the office of Dr. Hans Paulsen, from an abortion performed on her that day.Two days later, Paulsen was booked for manslaughter by abortion. The father of the baby, Uriah Deniston, was booked as accessory. Paulson was held by the Coroner for murder by abortion. Denniston wasn't mentioned in the verdict. On September 1, the indictment was quashed. The source notes "Circumstances suggesting judicial corruption."

Ethel's abortion was typical of illegal abortions in that it was performed by a physician.



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

To email this post to a friend, use the icon below.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gee, didn't you know that "forcing" that girl to carry to term is MUCH MUCH WORSE than allowing her to be sexually abused for four years. That's pro-abort logic for ya.

Anonymous said...

back in the 30's was a different time for women. my mom was born in 1923 and died in 1997. i had my daughter in 1992. i am an unwed mom. my mom was very pleased that in todays society that i could keep my baby and buy a home and raise her. she had an illegal abortion back in chicago in the 30's also. she was 17. my mother cried about her baby till the day she died. it was different then. i personally dont support abortion. but i would not put it back to the way it was back in the day. and yes, i am a late life child of hers i'm only 41

Christina Dunigan said...

ida, how much different are things now really? Have you read the stories here?

The biggest difference seems to be that if you harm the woman there's no longer any threat of prison. I'm not clear on how that makes things better for the woman.