The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-08
COronor's Investigation on the Death OF
Sarah Jane Devine.


Sarah Jane Devine.
The investigation before Coroner ARCHER, rela-
tive to the death of Sarah Jane Devine, was con.
tnued yesterday in one Of the rooms of the old
Aims House.
Mrs CATHERrE KErcHuM was the first witness called
and sworn reside at 2i2 Grand street, Sarah Jane De-
vine lived with me about year and nine months; she
assisted m. in the store in selling cakes Sci lett
on the LIST day of February last do know where she
went; she told she was going TO P.eksk,l to her
aunts told her could not keep her any longer and
wished her to goi she had told my family previous to her
ther my son took her away not She was pregnant;
that is the reason why wished her to go; was OF
suppose she must have been six months advanc
ced before she left; she i'll treated in my house
tanned where she until she was taken sick; then
word was sent Immediately 20 house; did not see
her during her ilness my son went he heard
of her illness.
By JUhoR-I have relatives residing at Peekskill
the girl Sarah was relation of mine; my Henry is
not married man, was; she never regretted
her situation told that she supposed that my
intended to marry herr he told he intended
to marry herr assisted me in the cake store in the sails
of things.
MISS BErsEY LEVY called and sworn-I live at either
s2 or 7s Broome street, speculate and endeavor do
husband was dead; was employed to this young
woman in February or January last; Mrs. Cannon came
young woman to take OIL She says, Mrs. Levy it
is so bad when that young woman sick will send
for you TO nurse hers agreed to she told me should
have nothing do but take of the young
and her babe, and that should have SIS week for it,
Mrs Cannon was in the habit of calling before
and afterwards. Some time last month the man who lives
with Mrs. Cannon came to nv house and told me that
they wanted me at once he said the had ts did
not go until the next morning, stormy day and
had headache; when went out saw woman in
vulsions and two doctors in attendance; man cry
ing there and Mrs. Cannon said that Mr.. Kech.
the Doctors to do thing to bring her and keep
alive, no matter the amount of money it cost Dr. Smith
told him that he should do every thing possible.
BY JuRoR-l atched during her abor to see whether
child was born, but did not discover it, there
ton made by the girl that laid her out that child was
born; saw the woman when she washed but did not
any partial birth of the child did the doctors
say any thing about it; know Mrs. Cannon formerly
kept the saloon of the Franklin Theatre; have known
her for era years; have received any money
for going out as did not expect any thing unless she
was conhGed; never went out to nurse any body except
my own Children who are married.
WASHINGTON E. JACKSON called and sworn-I reside at
the corner of Grand and Forsyth streets; kno Mr.
Kechum, did not know the deceased; in the ha-
bit of going Mr. Ketchums house Grand street
acustomer; knew the deceased by sight, and have
her behind the COUNTER there was any
difficulty between Mrs Ketchum and the deceased; ne.
yer heard that she was struck there's have
said that did
The Coroner here stated that the he had called
this witness was that he had.
GLBERr SAWYER called and sworn-I live at 1926 Broome
street; ant not acquainted with Mrs. Ketchum; knew
him by sight did net know the deceased only by going
into the store; her any where else know
nothing about this affair, except from hearsay.
By JunoR.i had conversation with Mr. Durando
about this girl; he said that there difficulty the
neghborhood about girl and that she had been taken
out on and supposed had be en- killed
by taking oil OF tansy do not remember that he mention.
ed any names at the tme made the remark to him that
he must let the srls alone he did deny that he had
any thing to do with it supposed from what he said
that he knew the parties conversation was at the
East Chester House, corner of Broome and Bowery
Isaac L. PIscKNEr called and sworn-I resi- at 272
Broome streetmy place of business is at 224t Grand ST.
am acquainted with Mr.. Ketchem; knew the deceased
only by sight, at the store do not know any thing
the day before she died Mr. Ketchum told me she
was SICK and that he expected she would die he express
SICK he said she had the best ply .ician nj. ' 'A'
EDWARD FIrzGEaALD called and sworn-I live at Ig
Rivington street; know Mr.. Ketchum. intimately
know nothing about the matter at all.
IAN anonymous letter, signed friend to justice
here delivered to the Coroner had been received
the editor Of the New York Herald which was read
the jury by the Coroner.1
Or. WILLIAM AsDERsor called and sworn- reside at
70 Beekman street; l physician and a surgeon and
practice obstetrics have been practice about thirty
five years.
sons.
A-They are like Others only dependent on the pecu
liar state Of the system and attendant upon extreme
Q.Do you know any medicine that will produce puer.
peral convusions7
A-No, do not believe very little the efficacy Of
oil OF tansy in cases of abortion has specific action
on the uterus although there is great prejudice among
women ; know of no medicine that will produce abor.
tonthere has been something said about ergot but it
has effect except during labor and even in That Il has
been found sometimes to do njurythe oil of tansy
narcotic puerperal convulsons most frequent at
the birth ofthe first child in of puerperal convu
sion. the child should be removed at any risk 20 its lie
II not, then remove the child.
By JuaoR-Have you known the birth of child
after the decease Of q woman
A-No, have not.
Q-Do you know Dr. Isaac 8. Smith
Al do not.
rhe certificate of DR. Smith was here presented to the
Witness and he was asked if he thought of
would have written such certificate and whether he
thought not necessary for medical DO able to
spell the disease causing her death n
Al should the word puerpera" in this certificate
not prepey spelled should me not have
lowed woman to have been buried with child partly
born as this was should consider such highly
reprehensble the child must have been partially deli
vered as it found before the deceased died-durng
the existence of puerperal convusons the pro
almost a specific with puerperal CON yusions
RosERr DEvvE called and sworn-I reside at Peekskll
Sarah Jane Devine the deceased my sister, she
born in this city believe; think she about Is at the
time of her DEATH have father living but mother
five years since Sarah Jane lived with the family;
think she went to live with Mr. Brown, in Greenwich
street, think she aerw lived with her grandmother
at Peekski before she went to Mr.. Ketchums; do net
know where she first lived siter but know she
Mr. Browns again Afterwards; knew she went to Mrs.
Ketchums, but did not know when 1t was; she lived
there year or mere was in the habit Of calling to
saw her at Peekskl the first Of September or last
Of August past. nr
S-were you informed AZ any time previous to her
death that she W pregnant
Ayes; my grandmother received an anonymous let.
ter signed D. T. ION the last of February, which in.
formed her that Sarah Jane that condition; this
was the first ntimation had Of the fact; no idea
as to who wrote the letter. only FIVE Of her relatives
informed OF the fact these her aunt and uncle my
grandmother, myself and my brother; wrote to Mrs
ketchum Immediately for information as to where she
was got from her or any one else; at the en-
piration Of TIVE weeks afterwards came the city nv.
sell; called on Mrs Ketchun and enquired where my
sister was she told me she did not know; did not
town, because thought she was acquaintance; she
said she did not know where she had gone remained
in town about week with view Of finding her; did
not 80 to Mrs Kechumsa second time but sent per.
son; did not leave word with Mrs. Ketchum where thew