1929: Chicago back-alley abortion proves fatal

On October 26, 1929, 33-year-old Agnes Johnson died from the effects of a criminal abortion performed October 12 at the Chicago office of Dr. Joseph Stern. Stern was arrested the day Agnes died. On November 1, he was indicted for felony murder by a grand jury. Agnes'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

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