Evening journal., 1891-03-14
HELD FOR MRS. BAKERS DEATH.
Mrs. Miles, the Abortfonist ard Two &C
cessories 10 Answer the Charge.

Mrs. Miles, the Abortfonist ar d Two &c
cessoriss TO Answer the Charge.
Coroner Sparks empannelled a jury
last evening 10 hear testimony concern
ing the death of Mrs Fannie Baker,
who died it is believed, from the effects
of criminal malprsctices performed on
her by Mrs. Sarah K Miles, (Griffi Il J
The following jurors were empannelled
John r. Mari, foreman; w. Fl. Walker,
secretary; James Parker, Robert w.
Brine, Robert Yates, Edward Melchior,
George Il. Hitchcock, George L. Ferguson
and stephen Winchester.
The evidence produced was of the most
startling and disgraceful character. Men
and women took the stand and testified
that IL was a weil-k known fact among the
Inhabitants Of Justison street that an
abortionist lived at Tenth aud Poplar
streets, that she piled her business with
out molestation for the modest sum of
50 each operation. This fact was so well
known chat 1t was made a matter of
common gossip It transpired that Mrs
Fanny kittenbach. who boldly denied
everything on the etand at first, but who
has since contested that she told false
hoods, was operated on no less than seven
times and this fact was well known
among her neighbors on Justison street,
that when any of their number thought
of going TO this abortionist Mrs. Kitten
bach was pointed out and mentioned by
way Of precedent.
When the case was opened the jury
was at first altogether at sea- The two
first Witnesses produced, Fanny Rit' en-
bach and Mary Ryan, who are now held
as accessories. could be got to tell moth :
ing They boldly denied all knowledge
of the crime, and as it was evident that
both were equivocating, If not de
liberately lying, the Jury consulted as to
the advissbilty of adiourning the inquest
until either the attorney general or
deputy attorney general should be pres :
emit. The result of the consultation was
that they decided to proceed with the
evidence.
R H. Baker, husband of the dead
woman testified that his wife consulted
him about going to Mrs. Miles, because
OF her delicate condition and he discoun-
tenanced her, and tried to prevail upon
her from going.
Mrs Mary Davis swore that she had
two operations performed on her by the
woman successfully. but narrowly es-
capped death from the effects of thu latter.
Mrs Emma Chadwick testified that she
had been present at the time that Mrs
Davis had been treated by Mrs. Miles,
Drs John O. Fahey, Joseph Smith and
J. b Morgan testified that Mrs Baker
had died from the shock caused by an
attempt at abortion.
DR.. Morgan swore that he had made a
chemical analysis of the solution used BY
Mrs. Miles, and found it to be q strong
solution of salt petre. The instrument
used was syringe.
The jury after hearing the testimony
returned he following verdict:
Resolved, That Mrs Fannie Baker
came to her death on March 10, 1891
from the effects of criminal malpractice
performed by Mrs. Sarah Miles, and we
End that Mrs Fannie Rittenbaeh and
Mrs Mary Ryan to be accessories before
the fact.
When the inquest was over. Attorney
General Biggs vas consulted as to the
amount Of bail required in each case
Mr.. Biggs recommended that Mrs Muei
be held in $1,000 and Mrs. Rittenbacl
and Mrs. Ryan in 50, 600 each.
While the preliminaries relative to tn,
bail was being arranged, Mrs. Rittenbacl
broke down and confessed that she haS
gone with Mrs Baker to the house O.
Mrs. Miles, that both women went up
stairs, while she remained below. A
few minutes afterwards the witness wai
called upstairs and found Mrs. Baker
dead She helped to carry her dowr
stairs and place her on the lounge
Mrs. Miles and Mrs Ryan were takeI
to the county jail at New Castle this
morning Mrs Rittenbach is still at th'
City Hall.