Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 24, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1916 — GRAND JURY INVESTIGATING [ARTICLE]

GRAND JURY INVESTIGATING

Death of JxK'hiel Woman From Alleged Criminal Operation. Mrs. Robert Jones died at Lochiel last Thursday. In the last hours of her illness Dr. Clayton of Fowler was called and later Dr. J. G. Kinneman of Goodland was invited in as consulting physician. After ,an examination the physicians determined that the patient was suffering from septic peritonitis, caused by criminal abortion, and that she had but a very short time to live. The dying woman then signed a written confession, attested by Dr. Clayton, Dr. Kinneman and two otherß, that her condition was the result of an abortion performed by Dr. Nellie Green of Fowler, Ind. Details were given in the confession as to the character of treatment, in which instruments were used, and claiming that the victim was prompted by the consideration that they were “too poor to have any more children,'’ and that the amount paid for the operation was $5. Dr. Clayton refused to issue a death certificate. Dr. LeSage, county coroner, was notified and following the death of Mrs. Jones, which occurred shortly after the confession, accompanied by Dr. Mavity, went to the scene and Friday night held a postmortem examination. At its conclusion Coroner LeSage returned a verdict of "death from septic peritonitis, caused by criminal abortion.” The matter was placed in the hands of Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Violin, and Monday he asked the court for a grand jury to investigate the affair. The request was granted, and the jury will meet today and take up the matter. Dr. Green has been a practitioner here for 20 years or more and has many friends who refuse to believe the charge, particulars t of which are already known throughout the community. Whatever official investigation may develop, the action of Dr. Clayton under the circumstances was justified as a matter of self-defense, a fact certified to by the verdict of the coroner. But the charge is now in the hands of those sworn to give it a fair and impartial investigation, and until they announce SI decision the Tribune will not make further comment. Dr. Green is said so have expressed her wish for a grand jury investigation, and says she is entirely innocent of the charge. She explains the case with the statement that Mrs. Jones was badly afflicted with djs-

ease of the generative organs and other ailments common to females, and that the examination she made was to determine her pregnancy, and claims that this condition did not exist. We grand jury is now in session and will doubtless report the result of their investigation tomorrow. —Fowler Tribune.