May 17, 1919: Unidentified Chicago Midwife

On May 17, 1919, 27-year-old nurse Gertrude Schaefer, a widow, died at Chicago's Wesley Hospital from septicemia caused by an abortion.

According to public records, Gertrude married her husband, John, in September of 1912, when she was 21 and he was 30.

At first police were told that Gertrude had committed the abortion on herself. However, during an inquest held at the hospital, police concluded that a midwife had perpetrated the abortion.

I have yet to find any sources that name the midwife in question.

Sources:

• Homicide in Chicago Interactive Database
• Death certificate
• "Hunt for Midwife," Chicago Daily Tribune, May 20, 1919