St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-27
A MYSTERIOUS CASE,
Which May Continue to Re-
main Mysterious in Spite
Of Talk.
A Lawyers Deathbed Con-
fession, Which May Not
Be Substantiated.
A Fatal Shooting Accident
the Sequel to a Sunday
Hunt.
Sermons From Leading Pull
pitS--City Assessor Plum
mer'S Ideas.

An evening paper Saturday gave to
the public sentimental story, which
was yesterday rehashed by couple of
morning papers with some additional
embellishments of a more or less artistic
nature, concerning a compact be-
tween lawyer recently deceased and
certain physician whereby the latter
produced aOortions, and the former, act
ing as his legal adviser, concocted a
scheme by which the arm of the law
was to be warded off in case of expos
ure. The scheme was that each pa
tient, before an operation was per-
formed upon her, was required to sign
an affidavit to the effect that
previous to applying to the physician in
question the criminal operation had
been performed upon her by another
doctor, from which she was suffering,
and desired relief. For example, a
woman applying to the physician 10 be
relieved of the evidence of her guilt
would be required to sign an affidavit in
the following form:
L, -. being duly sworn, do depose and
say that criminal operation was performed
on the day of -, by DR.. -, of =.
and that to obtain relief from the effects of
Minneapolis
This affidavit was executed before the
lawyer as a notary, and in case of
trouble the pair were in position to
show that some other doctor had per.
formed the operation. 1t is said that
protected by this simple but skill
full device to avoid punishment,
the doctors practice grew rapidly, and
the proceeds of the horrible business
was shared in part by the attorney. The
extent of the practice is of course not
known, but it is reported that more than
one woman died from the effect of the
criminal operations. As to the facts in
the case. OF rather the circumstances that
can be proven, only this much can be
said at present. Judge W. G. Hollins.
who died about Oct. l, made a death
bed confession in the presence of his
wife and daughter and some other per-
sons to the effect about as narrated.
His death was caused by in
fiammation of the stomach, brought
on by excessive drinking, it
is supposed. He suffered terribly,
and expired in great agony. When he
found ne was to die he desired to relieve
his conscience of the terrible crime to
which he had been party, and at a
time when his mind was apparently
clear told his story. 1t is not known-0r
rather cannot be ascertained whether
HollinS gave any names of women
who died from abOrtlOnS. and all that is
known is that he repeatedly mentioned
the name Annie" and said her face
haunted him. Some two months ago
the matter was brought to the attention
of Frank NJ. Nye, the assistant county
attorney, and he began an inveSti-
CATION. He was taken sick, however,
and before he recovered. or at least
made any move, Mrs. Holins and her
family left the city. going East to rela-
tives. Since then nothing has been
done. County Attorney Jamison stated
to GLOBE reporter yesterday
that he expects to begin an in
vestigation to-day. The physician
implicated is out of the city, and
may have left for good, although this is
unlikely, as he was fully cOgniZant of
Holllns' companion. and the ugly
rumorS that were atlOat concerning him.
He is known to have taken legal advice,
and probably means to face the music.
There was certain documentary evidence
in HOllinS' office before his death. but
shortly before her husbands death,
was not only willing but anxious
to have the affair investigated !;
but since she has left the city
some difficulty may be experienced in
getting her to testify, while the others
who also heard the confession are de-
cidedly mum about it, not caring to be
involved in a case of that nature. Under
the circumstances it can only be con-
jectured what can be done by the
| county attorney and his able assist
| ants to secure evidence upon which
the physician can be arrested and pros
ecuted. There is more involved in the
case than has been yet given to the pub
| lie, the publication of which is hardly
| justified until some move has been
| made by the authorities.