Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-07
SAD DEATH OF SOPHIA MAJOR.
Latest Developments i'm the AbOr.
ton Case.

ton Case.
As may be supposed the death of Sophia
Major. an account of which, with brief re-
port of the cOrOner's inquest. was published in
THE STAR of yesterday, was the subject of
much excited conversation in the northern
part of the city last evening and especially in
the church (Grace M. e. which the young lady
had attended from early childhood. Imme-
diately after the DEATH which took place at
o'clock on Tuesday evening, the family sent
TO MI. j. X. Riggles, one of the trustees, for
permission to have the church opened for the
funeral service. He tbeing then ignorant of
the cause of her DEATH stated that as one of
the trustees he had no objection. This was
taken as consent on the part of the trustees,
AID notice was accordingly published in THE
STAR OF yesterday, announcing the funeral at
) O'Clock today from the church.
TIE DISTRESSED FAMILY SHUT OUT FROM
THE CHURCH.
After the rendition of the verdict of the
corOper,s jury yesterday that death was
caused by malpractice, MeSSrS. Humphreys,
Tinker and Rfggles met at the house of tine
pastor, Rev.H-S, France, and determined to re-
woke any permission which might have been
given to hold the services in the church, and
the family were so informed. Some of the
friends OF the family had, however, previously
conferred with them and they agreed that
under the circumstances the funeral services
had best be at the house. Trustees Terry, Buck
and W. III. Reardon were MOI conferred with
in relation to the matter. There are many of
the membership VINO gard the action OF the
trustees as unkind and unchrStian: but Others
support them in their action, and number
have visited the minister to advise him that
they could not attend the church If the doors
were opened for this funeral.
HISTORY OF THE UNFORTUNATE GIRL.
The deceased was the daughter OF David
Major, Il well known, industrious carpenter.
She has during her whole life been resident
of the northern part OF the city, and her
mother for number or years has Deen a
memberOf Grace Church, the deceased having
regularly attended the Sunday school and the
church, and formerly was member. The
family are poor, but the deceased having been
industrious she has always been enabled to
family.
HOW SHE BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH THE
YOUNG MAN WHO RUINED HER.
About 81 years ago She was engaged by
Mis-. Hurley, a dresSmaker on Massachusetts
avenue, between 9th and 10th streets, to work
for her. and Mrs. Hurley'S son, John w. Hur-
of seeing her home at the close of the day.
Hurley is a not bad looking young man, with
bright red head, fOrid complexion, reputed to
be somewhat wild in his ways, given to attend
ing balls and parties, and withal Industrious
In this way they first became intimate, and
about SIX months afterwards they were re
garded as lovers. After She left the employ
ment of Mrs. Hurley and took position in
Lansburgh's store Hurley continued his atten-
tons. Hurley states that they became
ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED
about year ago, and that several times he
was ready to fulfill his engagement, but nei-
ther OF them being situated as they would like
To be, pecuniarily. they procrastinated. He
states that he procured a license in December
last, and the records show that on December
9th q license was issued to John w. Hurley
and Levia w. Major. He however states that
they were never married. He further states
that about three months ago the deceased ex-
pressed desire to get ready for the ceremony.
and asked him about it, when he said tina he
was willing TO marry her. Hurley also says
that the deceased and her mother went to DR..
Mauss three weeks ago. and DR.. MauSS per-
formed two operations upon her, both OF them
somewhat painful, and then advised her to go
to DIR. Leon and he would attend to her case
afterward. Hurley further states that when
deceased saw the advertisement Of Mrs.
Pierce addressed TO ladies in trouble, Mrs
Major went with her daughter to her rooms on
9TH street, between and &, and Mrs. NJ. paid
the money $50, and Sophie afterwards de
scribed DIR. WoOdworth' to him as being a
very tall man, with long black hair.
THE TESTIMONY OF DR. MAUSS,
the family physician, given before the coroner
contradictS Hurley's statements concerning
him. DR.. Mauss' testimony was as follows:
DR.. II. G.. Mauss testified that he became
aware OF the condition OF the girl four or five
weeks ago, having been approached by her on
account OF some ailment, by which he was led
TO suspect her condition and he satisfied him.
self on this point. Finding that She was in d
ry the young man, and when he failed in his
persuasion and she expressed a determination
10 get free and to go to a certain cslOrcd
woman: witness endtayOred to keep track of
her To prevent her from iuiuring herself, and
when lie failed he refused to do anything for
her On Thursday last he was called Oh to see
her, with the assurance from the mother that
she was only suffering from cold and she was
all right i'll other respects. Found her suffer
ing from inflammation of the womb: learned
that She had had q miscarriage on Tuesday
week, and, finding that she was getting rap
idly worse. he called in Dr.. Triplett, and she
made q statement to him in witness presence
She further stated that she went To Mrs Pierce
and sly >>ut for DIR. Woodwork: did not say
where Mrs Pierce lived: Mrs. I. visited her
four days subsequently, and she had chill
and fever on Sunday. Witness called upon
Drs. Elliot and Triplet for advice. and feeling
uneasy in regard to the matter he called on
the coroner and she made statement similar
To the one made before.
THE BODY OF THE YOUNG LADY,
as prepared for the funeral services at her late
home this afternoon. is handsomely attired.
and is devoid OF any ornament, save a simple
rose bud at her throat. 1t is in a handsome
French walnut caSket, with Silvered holdings
handles and ornaments, and on the lid is the
inscription ''Olivia ). Hurley. Died February
9th, 1873. Aged ~ years This indicates that
the family know. or believe, that the deceased
was married to Hurley.
This afternoon there were many at the
church. Notwithstanding the publication that
the editice would not be opened to the funeral.
and al the house there was very large assem-
blage of the personal friends of the family
The services at the house were conducted by
Rev. Harry S. France, of Grace NJ. E. church.
after which. under the supervision of the I'M
dertaker. Mr.. Hackstt, the remains were
taken TO Rock Creek church, where the inter
ment was made-Will Humphreys, Robert Cal
hOun, Henry Shelly. George Glorious, Will
Dee and Jacob Niehmyer being the pail
bearers.
Fire Dcpartmenf.