April 13, 1909: Middle Death in Abortionist's Career

On April 13, 1909, Stella Kelly, a 28-year-old waitress, died at Hahnemann Hospital in Chicago. Her death was attributed to "septicaemia following a criminal abortion performed by one Louisa Achtenberg, on March 5th, 1909." 

Through an online search I learned that Stella was divorced from her husband, Nathan Lowry, and had resumed using her maiden name.

Louise Achtenberg, age 59, sometimes identified as a doctor and sometimes as a midwife, was charged with murder by abortion by a coroner's jury. 

Stella wasn't the first woman to die at Achtenberg's hands, nor was she the last. Achtenberg had already been implicated in the 1907 abortion death of Dora Swan and the 1909 abortion death of Florence Wright. She was later implicated in the 1920 abortion death of Violet McCormick and the 1924 death of Madelyn Anderson. 

I can find no record that she was ever incarcerated, which is hardly surprising, given how hospitable Chicago has typically been to the many doctors and midwives who  perpetrated abortions in the city.

Watch One of Six Dead of Louise Achtenberg on YouTube.

*The Homicide in Chicago Interactive Database says that Stella died on April 30, but more reliable sources, the Cook County Death Index and her death certificate, indicate that she actually died on April 13.