Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-06
The Malpractice Case.

The Case Postponed For Two Weeks-The
 Parties in Court.
 There was unusually large attendance at the City Court yesterday morning, attract ed by the anticipated hearing in the Mary Canavan abortion case. Mrs. Van Epps, of Hartford, a dressmaker at 395 Main street, in Roberts Opera House in that city, who was arrested there on Thursday evening on charge of advising the abortion, was in wait ing in City Attorney Pickett's office. She was quite elegantly attired. The evening before she wore a sealskin sacque, an elaber- ately trimmed black silk dress and stylish velvet bonnet. Diamond earrings set off an attractive face, and her figure was attractive and her appearance ladylike. She was cool ! and self reliant, but modest in her demeanor. and is about 28 years of age. Upon being bailed in $500 the night before by MT. c. W. Bradley of the Florence House, she returned to Hartford. Mrs. Ellen Clements, at whose house the operation is alleged to have been performed, was bailed in similar amount. Mrs. Van Epps on her return to her home engaged Mir. Jones, the noted criminal 1 lawyer, as her counsel. Dr. Thomson and | Mrs Clements were also in the city attor- l neys office. There was no sign of recognition l between her and the two other accused par | ties. Mrs. Clements had engaged W. c. Case l to defend her, but like Dexter R. Wright, Dr. Thomsons counsel, Mir. Case was absent l on account of sickness W. B. Stoddard, l who is also Dr. Thomson's counsel, appeared 1 incidentally for the two other defendants. About ten o'clock MT. Stoddard led the way | into the court room followed by the three accused, and by Charles H. Hall, who ap- peared to be present as 8 friend of Mrs. Clements. Mrs. Van Epps in the court room ha11k Io.ah mat and sacque, and wore 8 wine -colored velvet dress. She was stared at so much that at her request she was allowed to retire to the judges room while the attorneys discussed the case On account of the inability of counsel to be present Judge Sheldon adjourned the case till Saturday, January 20th.
 Mary Canavan, the Middletown shop girl who was the subject of the abortion, and whose revelations to Chief of Police Field ing criminated the accused parties, did not appear about the court room yesterday morn ing. MT. Pickett said she was in the city, in charge of Chief Fielding, and would certain 1 ly be on hand when wanted to testify.
 Dr. Thomson in reply to questions asked l said that the women in the case were utter strangers to him. He had never seen either Mrs. Van Epps or Miss Canavan before yes terday. ''The Canavan girl did not identify me positively, but hesitatingly, as if she was not positive. I look upon the case as con spiracy, or something of the sort. Of course ] if one is prosperous, detractors will arise The girl may have picked me out from de scription, not from personal recollection. have no fears as to being able to show my innocence of this charge, and was perfectly willing to go on this morning had it mol , been for the illness of Colone Wright, my counsel I am attending him and did not consider it safe fol him to come out. As for this prosecution } I really care nothing, except that it brings me into an unpleasant notoriety. The fact that my name has been mixed up with the } Perkins abortion case makes it worse, fol between the two people will naturally say that there must be something wrong. But the annoyance will be only temporary, as don't feel the slightest alarm about the WAY the affair will turn out"
 Mrs. Clements also said that.she never saw or heard of Mary Canavan before the cast came up, and the same was the case witl reference to Mrs. Van Epps. Coroner Boil man while in Hartford secured witness in oolored servant girl employed at Mrs. Val Epps'.
 ''Fear brings disgrace, bravery bring } honor, cowardice saves no man from hi