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Friday, May 05, 2023

May 5, 1941: Mysterious Phone Call Alerts Doc to Dying Woman

Rose Smith, a 23-year-old mother of five, died May 5, 1941 after an abortion perpetrated in Chicago. Midwife Magdaline Motzny-Stegeman was investigated by a grand jury, which despite powerful circumstantial evidence, concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to indict her. 

Rose's husband, Beve, told Assistant State's Attorney Samuel Papanek that he and Rose had gone to Mrs. Stegeman's office at 1041 Noble Street on May 1, but, according to the July 10, 1941 Chicago Tribune, "told the elderly midwife there must be no abortion." Evidently Beve left his wife at Stegeman's practice, because he said that the following Saturday he got a phone call to pick his wife up at Stegeman's. When he arrived he found Rose sitting on the front steps. Somebody called from an upstairs window, "She needs attention." 

A car had evidently been arranged for the couple, and they were transported to St. Mary's of Nazareth Hospital. Rose, Beve relayed, said that they were to ask for Dr. Mix.

Dr. Mix testified that shortly before the Smiths arrived, he had gotten a "mysterious phone call" to expect them.

Bernice Wysocki, of North Oakley Avenue, was one of Rose's friends. She testified that Rose told her of a visit to Mrs. Stegeman's office. Rose's brother Jack Battaglia and his wife, Theresa, testified that Rose had told them she'd undergone an abortion.

Motzny-Stegeman's husband William had been a member of the state's attorney's staff before being promoted to Police Lieutenant. Motzny-Stegeman had already been implicated in the 1926 abortion death of Emily Mueller.

Sources:

  • "Open Hearings on 3 Abortion Slaying Cases," Chicago Daily Tribune, July 10, 1941


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