Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-12-26
Alone to Blame.

For several days past the police of New
York have been investigating a case of
malpractice and trying to bring the perpe-
traitors to justice. The victim was hand
some, intelligent woman, who gave her
name as Emma Rich. The suGerings of the
Door woman were terrible, and she died
without disclosing the secret of her shame
and crime. On the afternoon of December
Is a carriage containing one woman and
two men drove up to the Dwinel House,
Brooklyn. One of the men engaged room,
saving that it was for his wife. The woman,
who was fashionably dressed and about
forty Years old was then assisted from the
carriage, and the man, who said he was her
husband, registered her name as Emma S.
| Rich. She seemed TO be suffering, and it
was with some difficulty that she was re-
moved to her room on the third floor. She
was delicately formed and of light complex
ion. As soon as she was in her room the
two men drove OFT. They were not heard
from afterward The stranger bad not been
long 10 her room when she called hallboy
and sent him for DR.. Reed. The doctor ar
rived in few moments and found that she
had been victim of malpractice, and that
she was in dangerous condition. She said
she was widow, and had lately carried on
a dress making business in a New England
town. She refused to tell what town.
II previously lived in Brooklyn, and you
were the physician of my family. 1t is on
that account that have sent for you"
who was it that treated you lately p
asked DR.. Reed.
"a midwife in New York, but will not
tell YOU who she is or where she lives. 1t
was my own fault. I went to her volunta.
rily. do not want to get her into trouble y
DR.. Reed continued in attendance, but
her condition grew worse, and Oh the fol-
lowing day she was removed in an ambu
lance TO the Long Island College Hospital,
under the care of Dr. Reed and Superinten-
deut Shaw. Peritonitis soon set in, and ii
was evident that she had only few days
TO live. On Thursday, Dec. Is, Coroner
Mcnunger was notified, and he went to the
hospital to take her ante. mortem statement
She WAS aware that she was dying, but she
refused TO make a statement that would I'M
pute crime to any one. On Monday ne was
again called TO The hospital, and was in
fJrmed that the patient had not many hours
t. live.
II bad an extended conversation with
her." said the coroner, land found her the
most resolute woman had ever spoken 10
in such critical condition. ! called to heI
mind the fact that she was dying, and urg-
ed her TO tell the names of the persons who
were concerned in bringing her to the con-
diton she was in, but she only smiled in re
turn.
81 will tell you nothing she said, that
will cause the other persons to be punished
1t is uobody's fault but mine that | am
brought to this condition. blame nobody
for my fault have suffered enough, God
knows, and there is no need that Others
should suffer-
"As she WIS saying this she raised herself
in the bed, but when she finished speaking
she fell back exhausted and closed her eyes
She opened them minute later, and there
was the same look in them as before.
knew it would be useless to press
the woman any further; hut, reaching
over to me, she whispered I alone am
to blame, as have told you. | am peace
full in mind, and that is all that is necessa
ry. Why should disturb the peace of 9th
ers?'
"Four hours later | was notified of heI
death"