New-York tribune., 1873-08-01
ALLEGED FATAL MALPRACTICE.
CONFLICTING TESTIMONY IN MYSTERIOUS CASE
STRANGE SCENE IN THE CoRoNER's OFFICE.

CONFLICTING TESTIMONY IN A MYSTERIOUS CASE
STRANGE SCENE IN THE CoRoNERs OFFICE.
An inquest was held by Coroner Kessler, yes
terday the death OF Pauline Unger age 3O OF
No li5 Forsyth-st from alleged malpractice, by Mrs
Nina Hammer German midwife OF NO. III stanton ST.
Dr. Ludwig BOpp Of No. 80 East seventh-st' who In
formed the Coroner OF death Of the deceased testified
that he was called TO attend her Friday forenoon, by
her husband Joseph Unger lettercarrier He had
never seen her before, and he found her evil
IDENTIFY in dying condition, from uterine
hemorrhage in the fourth sixth week OF pregnancy
He prescribed for her, ana on returning, few
hours later, he found her dead The husband
testified that about five weeks before her death his wife
had said 10 him that, their children were small she
would like TO take some pills. He scolded her, and
warned her against doing No positive evidence was
ELECTED TO show that the deceased had told any one that
the woman Hammer had administered any dangerous
drug to her used any improper instruments II ap-
peared however, that the deceased had admitted
having taken some pills on Recommendation Oh " an
American lady," whose name was not discovered
The officer who arrested Mrs. Hammer stated that she
denied the alleged OF Instruments and that IN the
presence OF the corpse OF her alleged victim she adj
mitted having attended the deceased but continued to
deny having used any instruments. During the exam
inaton, William F. Howe, who was In attendance as
counsel the accused objected to the Coroners man
per of examination, aud charged the Coroner
of tho witness for the purpose of unjustly in
nuencng the jury against his client" The
Coroner dered the aspersons Of counsel who retorted
that the Coroner might become witness II he desired
but should not put language into the mouths OF wit
nesses The Coroner evidently neted by the language
OF counsel told him that he should remember that he
was only permitted participate in the proceedings
through tho courtesy of the Coroner himself to which
the counsel replied that he was present by right and
intended TO stay" "a .,
that death bad resulted from pertons aud rupture OF
the uterus. The Jury OF ten men, nine OF whom were
Germans and resided in the vicinity OF Meyer rendered
the following strange verdict: I'VE mud that the de-
ceased Pauline Meyer came TO her death from causes
TO US unknown and censure Dr. Bopp for not INFORM
ing the Coroner after finding Mrs. Pauline Meyer In a
dying condition.; and the jury Iurther agree IN gVAY
due praise Coroner kessleT, without whose sk and
vigilance tho crime would have remained undetected"
Upon rendition OF the verdict Mr Howe moved Tor
the discharge Of Mrs. Hammer. who had been I'M
prisOned in the Tombs since saturday. Ihe coroner
denied the motion, and signed his intention ot con
tnung his Imprisonment until he could consult with the
Dstrlct-Attorncy. Counsel urged that no evidence
against the accused had been presented and tha on
that account well for the that she was not
inculpated by the verdict she was fully entitled 10 re-
lease. The Coroner. however, perempt0ry declined 10
entertain the motion and recominlted tne prisoner.
After the inquest the verdict freely discussed and
severely criticised by many persons VINO had been pres
ent during the proceedings and others. The drft OF
conversation was that, inasmueh as according 10 a
statement by Deputy Coroner Leo. DR.. Bopp had re-
ported death and It's suspicious circumstances 10
Coroner Kesscr, he ought 10 have been exempt from
censure and that, inasmuch as no crimnalty on me
ton of the crime" BY the Coroner at least some
what paradoxical. especially that Official had been
saIght and Informed OF the suspicious OF foul play
Lfore he had taken action just before leaving the
Coroner's ofiice, Mr Howe publicly charged Coroner
Kesser with unfIrness and said that he would nave
him arrested IL lie lived till morning"