July 17, 1901: Prominent Physician Implicated in Abortion Death

Julia's Death

At about 9 a.m. on July 17, 1901, 23-year-old widow Juliette "Julia" O'Brien, an immigrant from France, died at 3187 Carson Street in Pittsburgh, from complications of an illegal abortion which Julia had told her family had been perpetrated by Dr. Michael A. Arnholt. 

Arnholt was a prominent and very well-respected physician and political figure in Pittsburgh. He had served in the United States Senate from 1881 to 1884.

At the coroner's inquest, Julia's mother, Juliette Marie Maurice, through a French interpreter, added that on or around July 12, "My daughter told me that Dr. Arnholt had abused her several times when she was in his office."

Julia's sister-in-law, Helen Maurice, said that she'd gone to Arnholt's office at 1819 Sarah Street with Julia on the afternoon of July 5. Julia, she said, went back into another area with Arnholt and was there for more than a hour. Julia was pale and weak when she emerged, barely able to walk.

Arnholt went to the family home on July 15, cussing up a storm and berating Julia for telling her family about the abortion. Two other physicians -- Dr. W. H. McCombs and Dr. George P. Rossman -- were called in to attend to help attend Julia in her illness. Her mother had told both of them about the abortion, but they failed to report the abortion to the Coroner and were first censured then arrested for this failure.

Dr. Arnholt's Death

Dr. Arnholt

Julia's brother, Arthur Maurice, and sister, Marie Schmidt, had been planning to file suit and expose Arnholt's abortion practice if he did not pay them $5,000 (over $174,000 in 2022) in damages to cover the cost of caring for the 21-month-old child the abortion had left an orphan. He reportedly begged them on his knees not to subject him to the ignominy of being exposed as an abortionist. Putting him behind bars, he said, would not bring their sister back. 

Julia's sister said that a distraught Arnholt had torn at his hair and told them, "I know I did wrong. I know I did wrong in causing this poor girl to die." He offered to pay all of the expenses related to Julia's death and to pay $3 (c. $70 in 2022) per week for the maintenance of Julia's toddler until the child reached the age of 21.

Julia's siblings told Arnholt that they wanted the $5,000 up front instead, and decided to give him time to think about it. They agreed to meet with him on July 23 to discuss the situation. However, several hours before the scheduled meeting Arnholt committed suicide in his office by shooting himself through the heart.

Sources:

• Coroner case files, Case 190109_185
• “Cause of Suicide,” Cincinnati Post, Jul. 26, 1901
• “Prominent Physician of Pittsburgh a Suicide,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Jul. 26, 1901
• "Death Sealed His Troubles," Pittsburgh Post, July 26, 1901
• “Begged for Mercy on His Knees,” Bay City (MI) Times, Jul. 27, 1901
• “Coroner Censured Doctors,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, Aug. 24, 1901
• “Grave Charges Made Against Dead Doctor,” Pittsburgh Press, Aug. 24, 1901
• "Coroner Holds Doctors As Accessory to a Crime," Pittsburgh Press, September 4, 1901
• “Two Physicians Held by a Coroner,” Liverpool (OH) Evening Review, Sept. 5, 1901
• “Two Physicians Were Held for Grand Jury,” Pittsburgh Daily Post, Sept. 5, 1901