February 9, 1911: A Chicago Midwife's Fatal Work

On February 9, 1911, 37-year-old homemaker Elizabeth Margaret Martin died at German American Hospital in Chicago from sepsis caused by of an abortion perpetrated at 1310 Eddy Street. A midwife identified only as Mrs. Schutner, age 33, was held by the Coroner's Jury and indicted, but the case never went to trial.

According to genealogy records, Elizabeth, nee Stuart, had married George Frederick Martin in 1896 and they had three children who were approximately ages 13, 9, and 5. 

Census records indicate that the midwife's first name was Mary and she was an immigrant from Austria. 

Watch Midwife Charged With Murder in 1911 on YouTube.
Watch Midwife Charged With Murder in 1911 on Rumble.

Sources: 

• "Midwife Is Charged with Murder," Chicago Tribune, February 11, 1977
• Homicide in Chicago Interactive Database