The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-18
CRIMINAL mALPRAOTICE.
The Case of Lizzie III. HoImes-Tesiinao-
my Before the Coroner's Jury.

An investigation into the case of the death
of Lizzie M. Holmes, an employe in an Auburn
shoe factory, who is supposed to have died in
consequence of an abortion procured by some
one in this city, commenced in Auburn Tues
day afternoon, before coroner's jury. The
Witnesses were examined by County Attorney
White. The first witness called was DR.. W.
x. Oakes who testified as follows:
Was called to see deceased last Sunday even
ing by Mr.. James Lamb, who said he thought
she was threatened with fever; Mr.. Lamb
and his wife went to Lizzie's room with me; de-
ceased was breathing rapidly and signing; Mrs.
Lamb said she was suffering from miscarriage,
which occurred the Tuesday previous; be was
of the opinion that death was caused by the alb
sorption Of poisonous matter into the blood; at
the post norton found that some blunt irstru-
meDt had been used to procure abortion; Mrs.
Lamb said the girl told her she had an opera
tUn performed In Portland; wouldn't tell by
whom, but said it was private matter
Dr. Russell, who was present at the post
mortem, testified that Inflammation, the result
of mechanical Injury, produced DEATH DR..
Donovan testified substantially as DR.. Russell.
Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes. the mother of the
deceased, said. her daughters full name was
Lizzie Maud Holmes; she was unmarried and
twenty years of age next January; last saw her
four weeks ago; first heard she was away from
her boarding place two weeks ago last Friday;
had postal card for her to come back to the
shop from Mary Stockman, foreman in her
room; received another card the next day from
the same person for her to come back; came
here Saturday night; went to her room; found
her bed unm ade; her clothing was all there
save one wrapper; remained there in the room
four nights till the next Thursday (Oct. 4th);
during this time looked for her all the time;
I'd -. k~ktN g
knew her. of Mr.. John Foss and the girls in
the shop; all could hear was she said she was
going to Massachusetts; inquired at the Auburn
depots and couldn't find out aoythjng about
her; had letters from her while she was away;
Qetters snbmitted) received this one day it was
m allied the day after returned to Mechanic
Falls; had no other letter from her. (The let
ter was dated Portland, Sept. 1877. The wit
ness Identifies the handwriting. Another letter
dated Oct 9Th, is shown. 1t is about ordinary
matters; states she is visiting in Portland; has
new silk dress, etc., This letter, dated Oct.
5tb, think looks some like my daughters
handwriting; heard nothing more about my
daughter till L arrived to see her dying on Mon
day; never knew Mrs. Lamb; don't know that
my daughter knew her. My daughter never
spoke to me about her condition, or limited about
it. Mr.. Foss told me she was going to Massa-
chusetts; he said he had lent her $40. He said:
Don't worry, she'll take care of herself" said
he saw her in her room that Friday night; Miss
Clark and her sister were present also; since
her death he said he could help me to some
money if wanted it; he did not assist me in
the search; she took good wrapper because,
as she said in her letter, it was best for travel
ing; have son living in Auburn.
William Holmes, brother of deceased, said
he had conversation with Fqss about his sis
ter's death Foss said he didn't know anything
more about it than he did. Clarence Holmes
said he met Foss in the street soon after his
- > L. Il ! Il L.,
Foss said Good God, can that be possible
turned pale and seemed much effected. Lizzie
had an engagement ring which Fess gave her
and she wore it the day she died.
Mrs. Emma c. Clark testified to being in
deceased's room the night before she left; Foss
came in and remained after she left; deceased
said she was going to Mechanic Falls to be
gone two or three weeks; some days afterwards
had conve rsation with Foss; asked him if he
had heard from Lizzie and he said he had not;
Miss Holmes didn'G intimate to me anything
about her trouble; never beard about MIR. and
Mrs. Lamb; never heard Miss Holmes speak
of her; had a conversation with Foss, asked
him for the key to LiZzie's room; said be did
MT Know where she was; asked him again and
old him her folks felt badly; had another con-
versation with Foss at Mrs Lam BIS this morn
| ing; ] sat up at Mrs. Lambs and Foss came in
| at 5 o'clock; 'sad" he said; he seemed to feel
very badly; then he went to the stable and
came back and called me to the entry; wanted
me to tell Mrs. Holmes if she wanted any
money he would assist her; be said it was too
| bad; / know Kate SAWYER by sight; think
| Miss Holmes knew her; L saw Miss S. after
| Lizzie went away; she rode by the shop with
another lady, Miss Ryerson; they looked to-
wards the shop.
Mrs. Anna Stuart testified that Kate Sawyer
boarded with her, but went away at o'clock
| yesterday by Upper Maine Central freight;
| said she was going to her sisters, Mrs Flick
| ett's, in Portland, 1913 Congress street; Miss
| Sawyer bad been away previously; think she
| went away three weeks ago last Friday to her
| fathers house in Grey; she knew LIZZIE
Holmes; knew Mr.. Foss; he bad been at my
| house with Miss Sawyer and without her; she
went away yesterday ON visit; don'i know
| why she took the freight train; don't know
| that she had heard of Miss Holmes death; my
| daughter said Miss Ryerson carried Miss Saw
1 yer home; knew no reason to suppose Miss
| Sawyer went with Miss Holmes; Miss Sawyer
| was in my house all yesterday forenoon; she
| was out in the afternoon awhile and then came
| in and slept awhile; she sat up with sick man
/ the night before; Miss Sawyer had talked of
| going home and last week named Monday as
| the day she meant 10 CO.