March 21, 1927: Doctor and Midwife Implicated Together

On March 21, 1927, 25-year-old Nancy Dawson, an immigrant from England, died on-site from a criminal abortion performed that day. Dr. J.F. Peck and midwife Christine Sedwig were indicted for felony murder on April 1.

The fact that both a doctor and a midwife were involved suggests that the abortion, as was common in Chicago in that era, was perpetrated by a midwife who called in a physician when her patient became ill.

Nancy worked in a factory, and was the wife of George Dawson and daughter of Joseph Smith of Leeds, England.

Nancy's abortion was typical of illegal abortions in that it was performed by a physician.

Source: Homicide in Chicago Interactive