The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-06
Extraordinary Investigation before the
Coronor.


ton into the facts attending the sudden decease OF
Sarah Jane Devine,a notice of which was published
in the Herald few days since
AT the present position of the case, we forbear
commens, and present the testimony in full as taken
before the Coroner.
The body that had been placed in public vault
under Bedford street church, was disinterred yes
terday morning and conveyed to the dead house in
the Park, where post mOrtem examination was
made by the Coroner and DR.. Tompkins, under the
direction of Professor Gilman. The examination
was then made in the room in the Aims House
building, made memorable by the Glentworth ex-
posures.
The following gentlemen were empanneed as
jury: George A Baker, Randall Fish, Daniel B.
Taylor, A. w. Smith, David Martin, Gilbert Brush,
L. S Bird, Owen J. Egbert, Robert Tyrel. Henry
R. Cox, John Crosby, VIM. McGrath, Benz. Wes-
tervelt and George Par-l4.
The first witness called was
HrNRr KErcHuM, who sworn-I reside at 242
Grand street, was acquainted with Sarah Jane Devne;
she formerly lived at house, she left there about the
first OF February LAST do not recollect the presse tme
she went to Mrs Cannons in 10th street. the Third
avenue; took her there's she pregnant the tme
she went there with the intention of being confned she
went there with her own consent; she remained there
until she died; she died aOou six weeks after she
Mrs. CanAon's; about three weeks snce she taken
i'll on Monday morning and died Wednesday morning
folowing was not at the house when she as taken ill
but was informed Of it immediately went there Imme
diately afterwards.
Q-what condition did you find her in, when you
went there?
A-she had fits, and was insensible DR.. Rawson was
there when arrived and prescribed for herr she had
by Mrs. Cannon called on Dr. Minor and three four
other doctors in East Broadway, but found but
away then called on s Dr. Dui isaac s. smith Of BRONZE
street, who attended her, and DR.. Rawson also.
Did you see her frequently \, during her ns,s
was there until the morning she died.
o-Do you know of any Cause of her death'
Mrs. AMY CArNsN called and sworn--I reside at 10th
street. near the Third Avenue and keep public house
there; not acquainted with the deceased; her
twice previous to her coming to nv house that is all the
acquaintance that had she cams to my house on the
first day Of February on Wednesday morning. she came
there to board she remained there until her DEATH she
pregnant; her health good generally but some
times complained Of her head her temples would swell
ecty aware of her situation; she has expressed
any spprehensons OF not getting on well with her labor
Hs the %os % hes 3
Ketchum would not let her want; from her own calcu
ation and my observ aton think she would have been
confined in the early part of this month; she was taken
i'll on Monday; do not recoect the day of the month";
she appeared perfectly well previous and ate hearty
dinner tea she retired night between the
of nine andten o'clock; she we'll at
o'clock that evening at tea; she took light, and my
daughter and her went up into their usual
nothing more OF her during that night
GLOW were you first informed that she " as i'll
A-The colored woman came to my room on Monday
morning. and said that Sarah very bad, and she
thought she getting went Immediately into her
room and found that she had been vomiting; gave her
took and tossed her head hack and putting her hand up
to her head said Lord y she then taken with fits
which continued after another until she died. the first
fit lasted nearly FIVE minues she was not much con-
vused; her were turned up there crampng.
Q-How do you know it 1T
A-Bscause she frothed at her mouth and twitched
Q-Did she become perfectly iusensible
A-she did; tried to arouse her and done every
thing for her that could; during the inermisson be-
tween the fits she would lay and snore the fits very
equent she died at half past one o'clock on Wednesday
was attacked by the first fit; he came promptly, and Ibe
leve done all that could do; he there when
she died. drank nothing Sunday night except her
Odd she take any medicine
A-No she would not; that wa. the difficulty;
took medicine Sunday nght you could not get her
to take any at any time.
2-Did she ever express any wish to get rid of her
A-No, never She seemed rather to be proud of her
situation She had made ell preparation necessary in the
way ofcothing for the child; anal have box full here
of baby things Mr.. Ketchum gave the money buy
them, and Mrs Hudson made them.
Here the band box introduced containing full
wardrobe for the child
WrrNEss-Mr Ketchum told me to call on him for all
expenses necessary for the cothes purchased the ma
teraIs myself and Mrs Hudson nv daughter made them
Q-was any thing done endsavor to produce the de-
A-The Doctor done every thing in hopes that that
would relieve her. The child partly before she
died Dr. Rawson was there until she ded-the colored
woman washed the body.
Q-Do youknow any cause for this girl: death 2
Al do not know any nor could not give any: DR.
By the time this girl was at your house
did she appear to be moralgirl!
Odd she state that she was married
A-No, she did not.
Mrs M.-u IA Hupsor called and sworn reside nth
Mrs. Cannon, my mother, in 10th street. was there
when the deceased came there to lve have lived there
since; her every day her health generally
very good she very cheerful; she was much in
company she said much about her situation but
appearedto he very proudo and spoke though
she regretted III her health perfectly good from the
took any mediene at our house that know Of not
with her before she there was in her
company on Sunday evening previous to her attack
about o'clock; she usually retired early Sum
day nights; she cheerful ever she generally
locked her room door she got up and locked her door
when went OUT did not any thing of her du-
ring that night heard OF her illness the following
morning; first heard Of it from the colored woman
was dressing and the woman told me she had ft she
lying upon the bed when went in; remained there
all the time constantly with her was present at the
Q-Hsd she taken any medicine on Sunday night1
troy her childi
A-No, sir.
Q-Hsve you ever heard any other person express any
desire of that Kind7
Al never saw any body but Mr. Ketchum, and he ap.
peared to be quite proud Of made the babycothes at
the request Of the mother after she dead assisted in
laying body OUT did observe that any part
child born until after she dead have child
Of my own did not observe during her illness any thing
like labor psins-nothng that thought such
have ladies in labor frequently.
By JuRoR-Q-Were you present when the deceased
came to your housed
Al wos; she said the that Mr.. Ketehum
desired IL; Mr. Kechum visited her frequently while she
her hair gh glrk M in AZ
with them Mr.. Ketchum had not been there from
the Friday previous TO her being sick her
take any herb tea OF any kind while at house.
Mrs JuLrA A. BRowr called and sworn- reside at lag
Houston street. and the sister Of Mr. Henry Ketchum
was acquainted with the deceased; she formerly lived
at Mrs Ketchums; she left there about seven weeks
anca. Of her n the time she Left: