Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-15
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

lngtoD In January last, and died last week at
the house Of midwife, named ABBY s.
Croker, No. $50 Houston street. The names
given of the lady and her male friend are,
doubtless, fictitious, but we do not think
it advisable, ut this time, to give publicity to
the rumors a1oat here as to the real identity
of the parties. At the inquess the previous
history Of the deceased could not be ascer-
tanned, and though she called herself Ann
Elizabeth Smith, it is not known that this was
her name. On her first appearance at Mrs.
Crocker's house, she presented a letter of in
PRODUCTION to Mrs. c., from Mr.. Charles VIII
kinson Nelson, of Washington, ID. C. Wegive
the substance of the evidence elected during
the investigation
Mrs. Abby s. Croker, testified that she was
proprletress of female medical institute, at
No $50 Houston street, and had been prac-
ticlng medicine and midwifery since last
spring; had studied in Boston, but had never
graduated had been married but was d.
vorced from her husband, who had previously
deserted her; last spring she became acquain-
ted with gentleman from the South, named
was In this city. About the middle of last
month a young lady arrived in the city from
Washington, bearing letter of introduction
nom Mr.. Nelson to her Mrs c.. Nothing was
said IN the letter about the lady's health, but
when she arrived, she was quite sick Her
name was Ann Elizabeth Smith. She COM
planned Of much headache, vomited and had
seven chills. Witness judged from the symp-
toms that she was pregnant, and that constant
anxiety of mind which she stated she b lad had
for sometime, together with the fatigues of the
journey, had produced miscarriage. Miss
Smith, however, denied being pregnant She
came to the house of witness as visitor and
not as patient While there she correspon-
ded with Mr.. Nelson. She got better, but
about ten days ago grew worse, and complain
ed of greet pain and soreness in her bowels.
witness applied a blister and gave her some
morphine this relieved her, but she soon grew
worse: aud DR. c1eaveland was called in and
atrylded her until she died.
Elisha W. Cleaveland, M. ID residing at 81
Wooster street, testified that on Sunday last
he was called on to attend deceased and found
her very i'll; he prescribed for her and she
seemed to rally; he called the next day but
was not admitted; the following day he was
again called to attend her. and found that
she was failing; at Mrs Crocker's request
called in DR.. Pond she died the same night
from the symptoms of the case witness be-
lieved that death was caused by congestion of
the lungs, and he gave a certificate to that
effect.
Several witnesses residing in the neighDor-
hood testified that they had frequently seen
females go in and out of Mrs. Crocker's Office
at all hours of the night.
DR.. William r. Donoghe, residing at No.
102 Fourth street, testified that he had made
post norton examin alton of the body of the
deceased and found, beyond a question, that
deceased had been pregnant, and that an abOr
ton had within two weeks been produced.
He could not fix the precise time of pregnancy,
but thought it had not gone beyond the earlier
months.
The evidence of two OF three girls who had
been servants in tho house was taken, and
went to show that the operations carried on,
there were Of a very suspicious nature. i
The Jury rendered a verdict Of 60 Death
from the effects of an abortion, and that Mrs.
Abby 5. Croker, DR.. E. W. Cleaveland. and
DR.. z. G. johnson, were the attending ply
sicians"
LEAP YEAR AND WHAT IS TO CONE OF r.
Since leap year first came to be an :" institu-
ton" we presume there never was a recur-
renee Of it that has attracted so much notice,
newspaperial and otherwise, as the present
1856. We hear that individuals Of an inquir-
ing turn are already "speering" questions at
the clerk Office, to ascertain the increase in
marriage statistics for the past month and
half. Whether the returns equal their ex-
peetations we cannot say but there seems to
be a general conviction that more than ordin-
airy results are to spring from the leap year Of
SO. II is a remarkable fact, and one which
the census statistics for a long series of years
show quite an increase Of marriages and births
on leap years. OF course, this curious coin
cidence may be accidental, but the uniform
ity Of its recurrence would seem to indicate
that the results come from other laws than
those of chance.
There is no manner of doubt that much of
the feverishness in the public mind in rela-
tlOn 10 the present leap year, comes from the
at tak " a LADIES ba
wOman's rights platform, and a dread on the
male side that the ladies of 1856, in availing
themselves Of the privilege Of the season, will
resort To more cOercive measures than merely
popping the question" 1t is interesting
10 note the terror-struck aspect of the poor
old bachelors, who walk about among the
girls as gingerly as a cat steps among the pud-
dies upon q wet floor. Poor fellows they 90
about with quaking hearts, chattering teeth,
and shaking knees, eying askance each pretty
face they meet. so Skeery, in fact that the
sight Of a bit of linen or calico futtering on
a clothesline, throws them into a palpitation.
If they only knew what was good for them,
they would bless their lucky stars and thank
fully accept the opportunity afforded them of
acquiring a right and title to a charming
specimen of woEnankind, without a particle
Of trouble beyond saying yes when the
young lady blushingly and modestly proposes
Just to think OF getting over all the awk-
wardness Of a formal proposal by the benifcsnt
provisions of leap year! of dropping easily,
almost without vOlition, into the blessed state
Of mstrimony, and coming into the full enjoy
ment Of all its comfortableness and coziness
We almost wish We were young again and in
the matrimonial market that we might expe.
rience the sensation of being popped" ut by
some beautiful young female, wouldn't We
refer her to our =" pa and ma" instanter-well
We would
RELIEF IN THE SECOND WARD The COM
mittee appointed to collect for the benefit of
the poor of the Second Ward have closed
their labors, and have handed to the treasurer
IN Callsn, Esq y the following sums of money:
By Messrs Nally and Bayly $500. Sl54 IS
By Messrs McClelland and Ruther
ford. 76 O6
By Mr.. VIM Pettibone. 2S3 %
From agents appointed by Mr.. Pet
tibone, by authority Of the commit
tee
Mr.. A. L. Cunningham ........!.. q 80
c. Cammsck, jr................... AZ 90
land one cord Of wood
A. Sothron NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 20 90