Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-12
snsenin< story or Crime.

ARREST OF DR. LEON FOR ALLEGED PRACTICE
OF ABORTION ON YoUsg GIRL.
On Saturday evening last DR.. j. Henry
Thompson, Of the Columbia lying-in asylum
Notified Detective Clarvoe that Young WON N
bad been brought to the hospital. where she
was lying In dying condition, from an abor-
ton which she stated had been practiced upon
her by DR.. Edward T. Leon, who is sometim 8
called Dr. Edward l.. Thompson, which is belev-
ed TO be his real name. Detectives Sargent and
NeElfresh took the case in hand AMI proceed cd
TO the hospital, where they had a short inter-
view with the unfortunate young woman, as
certaining her name, residence and the facts
connected with her condition. She is Y years
OF age, medium size, light hair, and fair com
piexioD, and has been employed as q nurse in
the family Of a well-kRown resident OF Capitol
hill She stated to the officers that finding her
self the victim of a seducer, and being DESTROYS
Of avoiding exposure, she had called at the
office of DIR. Leon, on 18th street, between II
and l streets northwest, and stated her case TO
him. He assured her that he could relieve
her by an operation. for which he
seDted He prepared her some medicine aud
she returned to her hone. She called twice
subsequently and received more medicine.
The last time Leon told her that she was about
TO be confined and suggested that she accom-
pany him to a house near by, where the neces-
gary care and attention would be rendered her
shanty in an alley, between 18th aud 14th snt II
and ! streets, kept by colored woman named
Mrs. Rose, to whose tender mercies he COM
United her. Here she was laid on filthy pallet
where she was left to herself all night si feriu
the most intense pain and with no care paid to
her- In the morning she was delivered OF a
sun born chlld; Several hours Afterwards she
determined TO leave this wretched place, and
no one being present TO prevent her she
CraWled out against the circumstances of the
old woman and managed TO reach a street car.
she arrived at her home nearly dead from her
suffeIings, and from there was sent to the hos
pital. The officers, after hearing her statement
left her and repaired TO the Police Court and
took out a warrant for Leon and SHORTLY after
wards arrested him and took him before tue
girl at the hospital who recognized him at
once as the doctor who had attended her.
The officers were accompanied by an off cial
from the District Attorneys office, aud the gr,s
ante norton statement was written down. Leon
was recOnducted to headquarters and lodged
behind bars and locks. He declined 70 converse
Ca the subject, and seemed quite crest. fallen.
The officers here left him and returned to his
rooms on 18th street, which they searched, and
found various instruments for operating in such
cases, also medicines. Yesterday Chief ClarvOe,
with two of his officers, succeeded in iuding the
woman Rose, who states that this IS not the first
case the doctor has brought to her house. She
woman, named Catherine Agnes Babcock, was
brought in as an accomplish OF Doctor Icons.
IN TIE POLICE COURT, THIS MORNING,
Mr.. Closs stated that he held a warrant against
Edward 4. Leon, Catherine Agnes BabcOck aad
mary Ross. charging them with abortion. and
asked that they be committed TO Jail TO await
the result OF the injuries on the victim. 1t was
so ordered, aud Leon and the two women were
taken TO Jail.
The warrant charges that "they did.
wlifuliy and felOniOusly, a certain instrume mt
use on one Susan Mclaughlin. with intent
to produce miscarriage, the said Susan Nc
Laughlin being IN q condition of pregnancy,
and did, by said instrument, used as aforesaid,
cause the death OF the child"
DF. Leon, alias Thompson, is well known in
this city, where he has been living for the last
ten years. He is about thirty-tive years of age,
OF slender build, with a thin mOustache and
goatee and long hair. He Is quite effemnate in
appearance, and has very little to say to auy
one. There is hardly any section OF the city
where he has not had his sign displayed. lie
came here from Philadelphia in 1854, and was
employed for some time as hospital steward in
the Emory hospital, near the Washington poor
house. Ii is said that he was drug clerk in
Philadelphia previous to coming to this city,
where he probably got some knowledge Of the
preparation of medicines. While here he Ia
came acquainted among the residents of last
Washington, and married the daughter OF a
well known citizen residing in that section and
for some time he lived at the residence of the
brides parents. Finally he left the city. when
II was charged that he had taken with him
- COO in gold, the property of his wifeS father
Detectives ClarvOe and McDevitt were sent in
pursuit, and traced him TO New York, where.
after prOtracted search, they discovered him
picking his teeth on the steps OF the Fifth Ave-
nue. hotel. Most of the gold was recovered, and
the ofhceTs returned with their prisoner to this
city, and after hearing the case was sent TO
the grand jury, but was never brought 10 trial.
His wife then applied for and obtained divorce
from him, since which time Leon has been
practcing in this city, and has apparently lived
pretty luxurious life.
When brought out of his cell this morning
and told by Mr.. NcElfresh that he must go 70
Gsrdner's gallery to have his picture taken for
the rogues' gallery, he appeared very much dis
led away there previous to being taken into
court.