Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-07-02
A GIRLS SAD DEATH.
rrrou the PHILADELPHIA Record.


The shocking death OF Ida Grant, one Of
the prettiest girls in the village Of Cooks
town, Burlington county, N. j., at the
hands, as it is alleged, Of an unprincipled
physician, has provoked the loudest indig-
nation among the people of that section.
Cookstown is hamlet in the centre of a
rich agricultural country on the line of the
Pembertown and Hightstown Railroad and
about six miles distant from Bordentown.
The victim is the daughter of Levi Grant,
proprietor of the Cookstown Hotel. Since
childhood she had been the tavorite of
Frank Woodward the son Of AlonZo Wood
ward, Il wealthy miller Of the village, and
for some years past they were plighted low
ers. They had importuned their parents to
consent 10 their marriage, but were met
with refusal upon both sides on the ground
that Frank was TOO young to enter into the
matrimonial estate, he being of the same
age as Ida Grant. For three years Ida has
been acting as the hostess of the village inn
assuming the place Of her mother, who is
dead. She was Il great iavorite for miles
around by reason Of her gay and socablc
disposition. and no party, picnic, or bail in
that country was quite complete unless she
was there TO add zest and life to it. The
crime which ended in the sad death of the
GIRL dates from the Goth ultimo. Ear
~ Oh the evening of that day young
Woodward drove up to the hotel with
a buggy and pair of lively roadsters,
and was joined by Ida Grant. They then
drove away 1t was late in the night
when the pair returned. The following day
it was observed by the Grant family that
Ida looked i'll, but she complained but little
until toward night, when she appeared to
be overcome with Il sudden weakness. which
compelled her to seek her bed. She grew
rapidly worse, and requested her father to
send for DR.. Charles Woodward, of New
Egypt He drove up to the hotel some
time after at Il brcak-neck speed and ap-
pcared, as the family say, strangely solicit
Gus regarding his patient. Late in the night
he went away, but was again at the girls
bedside the next morning, which was Sun
day. He remained throughout the day, and
as far rs possible kept the girls family out
OF the sick room. While the physician ard
the nurse were temporarily absent from the
room in the evening the girl arose from the
bed and sat down in chair, where she was
found in Il swooning condition. She was
put back into bed but her suilcrings were so
terrible that her shreks could be heard out
side the hotel, and she died in few minutes
aftcrward. On Thursday last Miss Graut
was buried in the Methodist Church yard at
Jacobstown, the funeral being the largest
that had been seen in that section for long
time. In the meantime Dr. Woodward had
informed the family that death had resulted
from congestive chills, and so certified in his
official return of the case.
On the day preceding the funeral Aaron
Grant, of RecklesStoWn, a brother of the
girls father, had his suspicious aroused by
certain peculiaritics in the appearance of
the corpse. After the burial he informed
the grief stricken father of his suspicious,
who, after some persuasion, consented to al
low his brother to make an investigation.
They both visited physician ut Sykesvlle,
and telling him OF their belief, were advised
to seek Coroner Keeler, Of Bordentown.
The matter being placed i'll the hands Of
that official, lie directed that the body be
exhumed, which was done quietly on Thurs
aware of the unusual proceedings The body
was then conveyed to the home Of the
Grants, in Cookstown, after midnight and
on Friday morning Drs. Young and Jami-
son, the leading physicians of Bordentown,
made post-mortem examination which
fully proved the suspicious of Aaron Grant
to be correct. The girl had died from the
direct result Of NAL practice.
When the result of the post-mortem eX
animation reached the ears of Frank Wood
ward he Immediately sought the father of
the girl and made full confession. Acting
upon this, Coroner keeler swore out war
want for the arrest of DIR. Charles Wood
ward, Of New Egypt. 1t was given to a
constable to serve, but when the officer
reached the physicians house it was learned
that he had left the town with his horse
and carriage but a few minutes previously.
The officer started at once upon his
track and succeeded in tracing him
to Trenton, where he has a brother,
DR.. Abner Woodward, residing. Moth
ing has been heard of his whereabouts
since. His mother lives in Philadelphia.
Coroner keeler held an inquest in the case
on Saturday at Cookstown. Frank Wood
ward, under oath. told the whole story of
the crime. He said that when Ida told
him of her trouble he at once sought DR..
Woodward, whom he had heard was an
adept in such cases, and he consented to
relieve the girl. On the Goth instant they
met the doctor by appointment, he sald in
the pines about two miles from Cookstown
in the gray of the evening. He gave the
doctor all the money he had, $3.50, but
promised to give him more.
The father and uncle of the victim and
the nurse were all SO examined. The jury
returned verdict to the effect that Ida
Grant had come to her death by means Of
an operation performed BY DR.. Charles
Woodward, of New Egypt, with the knowl
edge of Frank Woodward. The Coroner
held young Woodward. He was released,
however, his father furnishing security in
81, 900 for his appearance at the September
term of the Court at Mount Holly.
DR.. Woodward, who figures in the affair,
is the best known and most skillful surgeon,