The New York herald., 1879-03-29
CORA SAMMIS' DEATH.
TRIAL OF MME BERTHA BERGER FOR NAL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF NUMBER OF

TRIAL OF NINE. BERTHA BERGER FOR MAIL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF A NUMBER OF
WITNESSES FOR THE PROSECUTION
The announcement that Nine. Bertha Berger, in
dicted for causing the death of Cora Sammis, of
Northport, l.. l.. at No. 161 East Twenty-seventh
street. by malpractice would be placed on trial
yesterday attracted to the Court of General Sessions
an immense throng. There scarcely standing
room" when the proceedings commenced. The oc-
currence at the time created quite sensation, the
details of the alleged crime having been given wide
publicity. The prisoner, who is jointly charged
with Frank Cosgrove. of No. Burling slip. had de-
manded through her counsel, lIr. William +. Howe.
a separate trial. which commenced shortly after
Judge Cowing took his seat the bench. Nine.
Berger is about.thirty-ve years of age and not by
any unattractive in appearance. She listened
with the most intense interest and anxiety to the
evidence of the Witnesses and throughout the day
made frequent suggestions to her counsel partcu-
larly during the testimony Of DR.. Whitehead. whom
she regarded at times with look of scorn as he de-
tailed the interviews he had with her in reference to
the case.
CASE FOR THE PROSECUTION.
Assistant District Attorney Bell opened the casefor
tho prosecution He said it was the most important
that had under his observation during the
present term of the Court and added that the time
occupied by Mr. Howe in selecting jury had been
we'll spent. 1t also of the utmost Importance to
the accused; for although her life did not depend
the result. the inquiry was as to whether she
or was not instrumental in producing the death of
Cora Samms by criminal malpractice. Mr.. Bell then
proceeded narrate facts the sought
to establish. Cora Sammis. girl of twenty years.
resided with her father, farmer, at Norhport, L.
She left home to conceal her condition. On Febru-
airy she at the house of her aunt. Mrs. Belts.
in Brooklyn. and on pretence of visiting some
friends left. On that day she to arrive in
company with Cosgrove at Nine. Berger's house by
several of the inmates, of whom. it alleged,
was informed that the girl was suffering from
malpractice cosgrove, ON the 10th of Febru-
ary, requested one of the inmates of the
house to remain with Cora while he went for doc
tor. which she did Cosgrove went to the residence
Of DR.. Whitehead and requested him to attend the
sick girl On being informed of the nature of the
patients ailment DIR. Whitehead refused without
first consulting his counsel and together they pro-
ceeded to the residence Of Mr. John Mott who in
formed DIR. Whitehead that it was the duty of
physician to go wherever human life was in dan
ger. When Dr. Whitehead went to the house of
Nine. Berger he found the girl suffering from mall
practice, which, the prosecution claimed, the
result OF an instrumental operation. After
doing all he could to alleviate the suffer
call the following morning. Before leaving.
however, Nine. Berger expressed to him her anxiety
concerning the fate of the GIRL and told him that
of her demise that she would give him $50
certificate of death. He refused and day
informed Inspector Murray, who, in company with
Coroner Flanagan and Deputy Coroner Miller, pro-
ceeded to Nine. Bergers house. There the girl Cora
was found in dying condition, but sufficiently
scious and intelligent to make an ante-mortem state
ment. in which she averred that Nine Berger had
performed an operation upon her. That night the
girl died. and Mr.. Bell submitted that the evidence
would clearly show that the accused brought about
the fatal result. The prosecution would also show
that Mary Steele another victim Of malpractice had
been removed from Nine. Bergor's house to that OF
her mother prior to the arrest.
THE EVIDENCE.
The first witness examined Mrs. Mary d. Belts,
an aunt Of the deceased, who testified that she
resided at No. 303 Raymond street, BROOKLYN She
again until she called at Nine. Berger's house on
February IL, when she found her in a on the
top floor in dying condition. young woman
named Emma Whalen, inmate of the house. tcsti-
GERS in company with Frank Cosgrovey early the
month of February. Witness, Minnie Russell and
Rachel Davis arrested by Inspe< tor Murray
the day before Cora died.. Mime. Berger explained
This testimony was substantially coEroboratcd by
Melinda Cullum, another inmate ct the house.
Mary Steele in response to Mr. Bell stated that she
q patient at Nine. Bergers house; that Nine.
Berger had admitted her the ca,re Cora's all
ment. She further testified that prior TO Cora's
death she witness) removed TO the residence of
Nine. Berger's mother, in Fifty -fours street.
DIR, Whitehead examined great length and
detailed the he had tine subject of
Sammis' suferings The prisoner expressed the be-
lief that she would die and offered witness $50 for
death certificate; she also having performed
operation upon Cora Sainlnls.
Mr.. Howe subjected the witness'to very search
ing examination in the course of which he ad
mtted having been arrested five different times.
twice on charges similar to that preferred against
the accused. He also admitted having received his
fee from Cosgrove for attending the deceased
The further hearing Of the case was adjourned
until Monday morning.