Wednesday, July 06, 2022

July 6, 1930: Who Perpetrated the Fatal Abortion?

The Homicide in Chicago Interactive Database provides very confusing information about the death of 34-year-old Mary Tulis on July 6, 1930. The case summary says:

Death due to a criminal abortion performed by person or persons at this time unknown to the Coroner's Jury. Marie La Montagne, 2327 W. Harrison St. mentioned as having attempted the abortion and Dr. O. W. Sommer of Frances Willard Hospital called in when peritonitis set in. Neither was mentioned in the verdict.

The details page, however, muddles the story. It said that the time between offense and death was "Immediate -- death occurred at the crime scene," which is given as 2327 W. Harrison: Marie La Montagne's address. The defendant is named as Dr. O. W. Sommer but lists his occupation or skill as "Law Enforcement, Police." It also has the odd note "Killed While Protecting Person: Protecting person outside family."

According to the database, there were no charges filed.

Census records show Mary LaMontagna, age 46, living at that address with her husband, four children, and father-in-law. I've been unable to find any more information about Mary Tulis or Dr. Sommer.

Watch "When the Source is Muddled" on YouTube.


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