Four criminal anniversaries

The first tragic anniversary today actually began on November 8, 1875, when 19-year-old Mary Alice Foorman suddenly disappeared from her home. "No traces could be found of her, and grave suspicions were entertained." It was suspected at the time that Mary was pregnant. It wasn't until May 7 of the following year that her brother finally broke down and confessed that he knew what had become of her.

A man named Nathan Smith had gotten Mary pregnant. Mary's brother agreed to help her to arrange an abortion to be performed by Dr. H. B. Mansuer and Dr. J.P. McIvaine. Unfortunately, Mary died during the abortion. She was buried in a swamp about two miles south of Eaton, Indiana. After the brother made his confession, authorities found the grave, "and all that remained of the unfortunate girl was found there, as indicated by the brother." (Click on Mary's name for more information about this case.)

I know very little about the other three deaths that took place on this date.

On November 11, 1909, Marian Lang, age 29, died in Chicago home from an abortion. Dr. Pope was indicted by a grand jury. The source document does not indicate that the case went to trial.

On November 11, 1916, 28-year-old Mrs. Elizabeth M. B. Winter died at her Chicago home from an abortion perpetrated by Cecelia Stejskal, whose profession is given only as "abortion provider." Though Stejskal was held by the coroner, the case never went to trial.

On November 11, 1929, 23-year-old Mary L. Kelly died in Chicago from an abortion performed by an unidentified perpetrator.