March 15 and 16, 1915: One Abortionist Two Deaths Two Days

On March 15, 1915, 22-year-old homemaker Elenor Cassidy died at Cook County Hospital after being treated for two days for septicemia. 

Before her death, Elinor named Dr. Julia Patera as the guilty abortionist, and indicated that the abortion had been done at Patara's house on March 6.

Patara was indicted for Elinor's death on March 15 by a Grand Jury, but the case never went to trial, even though the very next day another woman, Hazel Wilcox, had died the very next day after an abortion attributed to Patera. 

N.B.: Patera is sometimes identified as a doctor and sometimes as a midwife. In late 19th and early 20th century Chicago, female obstetricians were often identified as midwives even if they were physicians. 

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Sources:

• Death certificate
• "Woman Held For Murder," The Chicago Daily Tribune, March 18, 1915
• The Day Book, Chicago, Mar. 18, 1915
• "Illinois Brevities," M'Henry (IL) Plaindealer, March 25, 1915
• "Hold Woman for Murder," Chicago Daily Tribune, April 1, 1915
• Homicide in Chicago Interactive Database Case 3222
• Homicide in Chicago Interactive Database Case 5493