1880: Canadian woman dies at hands of Chicago abortionist

On August 20, 1880, Miss M.A.M. Faulkner, a white woman formerly of Ottawa, Canada, died at the Chicago office of Dr. Thomas J. Cream during the commission of an illegal abortion.

Cream, a white physician, and Mrs. Mackey, a Black nurse, were arrested in the death.

How common was it for a woman to obtain an illegal abortion at the hands of a doctor?
It was rare, less than 10%.
It was unusual, around 30%
About half of women were able to arrange for a physician-abortionist.
It was common, around 90%.

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

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