Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-08-23
MRS. HELMSEN'S DEATH.
Investig a ted by . C0rOnerss Jury.
NO TESTIMONY 10 SUSTAIN TIE CHARGE OF CRIMINAL
MALPRACTICE

MIS- Minnie MCLEOD HelmSen, wife OF Nj. ChaS
Helmsen, who sometime ago kept a drug store
| corner OF sth ana H streets northeast. died sud-
denly Monday night, and her funeral was an
nounced to take place at O'Clock yesterday after
noon from the Eastern Presbyterian church. AT
the appointed hour the church was filled with
friends OF the deceased but the funeral procession
did not arrive. The delay was caused by Coroner
Patterson, who had been called in to investigate
the suspicious circumstances attending the DEATH
which occurred, it was reported to him, about 9
O'Clock Monday night, at the house Of Joanna
| Powalky Monikheim, a midwife, whose residence
is No. laos street northeast just three squares
Ii street. The body was removed, 1t was alleged,
from the place where she died, In grocery wagon,
to her late home. Such u removal OF the body
would be ia violation OF law, permit for such
removal had been issued from the health Office.
The certificate filed at the health offce gave The
facts or the death as follows: Name OF deceased,
Minnie Mcleod HelmSen; date OF death, August
20, 1888; age OF deceased % years, months, IL
| days; social condition and occupation, white,
married; birthplace Pr. < Island, B. A; how long
resident in District Of Columbia, IL years; dura-
ton OF last Sickness lew months; cause OF
death. disease of heart; place OF death. No. 1923
terry; medical attendant, X. D. Del French, n. ID. !;
undertaken, John K Wright.
DEATH CAUSED By ABORTION.
The coroner arrived at the house OF the deceased
some minutes before the funeral was 10 take place
and Tyler, made an autopsy. The examination
revealed the fact that death had been caused by
abortion performed probably on the night OF her
death and IT was decided to hold an inquest Ofcer
jury or inquest. He summoned the following
Citizens: Nell Reagan, Allie Brooks, James Nally,
Thomas Belts, Floyd Hunter, and Norman f.
Hines. The jury was then escorted to the house
OF the deceased, where they viewed the body and it
was then turned over to the family for burial.
THE FUNERAL SERVICES.
1t was nearly O'Clock when the remains
reached the Eastern Presbyterian church. the
services were conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Bradford,
assisted by the Rev. Mr.. Smith. The latter spoke
OF her sad history. After the services were con-
cluded the body was inferred in the Congressional
Known In East Washington. seven years ago she
was married to Charles Helmsen and has given
birth to three children all OF whom are living.
She married him in Baltimore against the protest
OF her parents. Some months ago she separated
from her husband, but he has since visited her at
her mothers house, where she lived with her child
rem.
This morning at IL 80 O'Clock the jury assembled
In the sixth precinct station to hear the testimony
Of witnesses.
Dr. Hartigan testified that he was present at
the autopsy yesterday afternoon, and stated that
the result of the examination Of the body showed
that there had been an abortion or miscarriage
which had been the probable cause OF death There
was naoby appearance OF the heart, but witness
did not think that that contributed TO cause death,
put was the result Of the loss OF considerable
blood.
Dr. RID. Del. French gave similar testimony.
Mrs Joanna poWalky Monikheim No. l4o5
week ago, Tuesday, Mrs. Helmsen came
to her house about o O'Clock in the
retired. Witness told her that she lwitness) was
sick and could soc no one. Mrs. Helmsen then
begged her TO hear her story and she consented to
husband treated her, and she seemed very
much excited. Witness told her to come In the
ming, aRd told her that she CMrs. Helmsenl felt
very SICK; that she was not pregnant Witness
told her TO take something to act on her bowels,
but witness did not tell her what TO get nor did she
give her anything. Witness gave her an injection
OF ten drops Of carboiic acid In quart OF water.
She repeated this four or tlve evenings. Monday
night when Mrs HelmSen called at her house she
iwitness) did not treat her. She was not In her
house more than i've minutes before she COM
planned OF feeling bad She said she thought she
minutes Mrs. Helmsen's mother was In the room,
and witness told her TO 90 for doctor.
When questioned by the coroner witness said
that Mrs. Mcleod the mOlher OF the deceased, was
with her until her daughter complained oil feeling
FAINT. and then witness told her (Mrs. Helmsen, TO
did not remember whether Mrs. Helmsen's mother
was ever with her before Monday night Or not.
charles J. Helmsen, husband Of the deceased,
circumstances attending the death Of his wife.
James NJ. Jarvis, corner 18th and Gales streets
northeast, TESTIFIED that the deceased was In his
drug store about half an hour before her DEATH
and he gave her some powders Tor a baby which
she carried In her arnla He gave her no medicine
for herself.
Mrs. Mcleod, mother OF the deceased, was sum-
moned as witness, put as she was very nervous
and did not feel Wen, DR.. Patterson took her depo
siIion, which was substantially the same as the
evidence given by the midwife, Mrs Montkhetn.
THE VERDICT.
The Jury, after half an hours elaboration. re-
turned tae following verdict: "That the said Min
ME Mcleod Helmsen came 70 her death about 8
O'Clock August 20, 1888, from miscarriage, but
whether IL was the result OF criminal malpractice
or not we are unable TO say"
District Government Affairs.
WANTS TO AMEND TIE PLUMBING REGULATIONS.
Some days ago Inspector or Plumbing Robinson
in . letter 10 the Commissioner inquired II, un-
der the regulations, he could require iron pipe to
be substituted In place OF terra Gotta pipe all
new houses. Mr. Robinson says the drainage OF
nearly all the old houses In Washington Ia In q