The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-07
IN WOMAN'S BEHALF.
SHE EXTRACTS TEETH.
Story of "A Chicago Woman Dentist---H
Trials and Success.

who are more and more finding favor
with the public and demonstrating that
there are few professions in which
women may not succeed, if they prs
pare themselves for their work and go
at it zealously and conscientiously.
The pioneer was Mrs. NJ. Z. Abbott,
whose place of business is at the corner
of Cottage Grove avenue and Thirty
first street, and whose speciality, as her
card states, is "crown and bridge
work" She also gives special atten-
ton to childrens teeth.
A reporter, says the Chicago Inter
Ocean, called to see her recently, and
found her willing to give her expert
ence for the encouragement of others
who may be contemplating like de-
parture from the beaten path. She has
two rooms, a reception and operating
room, and in the former a sewing-ma-
chine and white lawn gown, trimmed
with embroidery, in process of making,
proved that, whatever calling woman
may pursue, certain womanly habits
will cling to her through everything.
presently the dentist herself came in.
She is woman of medium height, with
good, regular features, dark eyes and
hair and fair complexion.
Eyes, have had a checkered career"
she admitted, as she pulled off her
gloves and sat down "You see, since
! began there has been a tremendous
change in public opinion. The progress
that has been made, within the past
ten years, passes belief"
"Where were you educated?"
81 have had no college training.
| When ] began there was no college of
dentistry in Chicago. My husband was
dentist and | studied with him. be-
gan shortly after was married. We
| lived on Oak street, not far from the
lake, and were doing well at the time
of the fire. That ruined us. We lost
everything, like hundreds of others,
and were among the refugees who went
to Milwaukee. Friends made up q
purse and helped us. l remained in
Milwaukee little over year and then
! went to Cresco, Howard county, Iowa.
! had two children.
81 learned my profession thoroughly,
and made speciality of the mechanical
part of it. 1t was really forced upon
me, for had my two little children and
had to do whatever work l might I'M
dertake, at home. This it was possible
for me to do in dentistry. Iwent to
Cresco in the winter. 1t was intensely
cold weather, as cold as it ever gets in
that part of the country. l had my
children with me and remained year
and half. The business did not pay
me, and realized that would have to
branch out and open other offices in
neighboring towns My friends, who
were greatly interested in my success,
and who are still my friends, also adj
vised this. My first venture was in
Preston, MINI. 1t was thirty miles
from Cresco, off the railroad, and the
journey had to be made in an open
wagon. l had heard of the community
as one made up of intelligent, progress,
sive people. went in January in the
midst of raging blizzard, holding my
baby close to me, under the blankets
to keep him from freezing Louise was
left with friends. She was then sever
years old 1t was in midwinter and
did not expect to remain more than 6
few days, nor did l expect very great
financial results. To my surprise wa:
busy almost from the first day, and, il
the three weeks l remained, earned
$780,
81 then continued to open branch of
fees until had six, all of which Wis
tied at stated seasons, and did we'll
"Do you extract teeth, too?"
sob, yes" she said with smile.
do you remember the first case O.
this sort?"
Perfectly. That was in Cresco. My
husband came out into the back room
and said: Minnie, there is man il
the Office who wants his toeth pulled
and you must do it. l had always re
fused to use the forceps because feared
that l did not possess the requisit,
strength This is mistake that mos
women make. 1t is not mere strength
that is needed; it is science. The mar
was n big Norwegian-an unpromisine
subject-and | looked around and tool
up the forceps with good deal of mis-
giving. But realized that, sooner OF
later, l would have it to learn anC
would have to make beginning. GO
hold of the tooth, gave it little wrench
and out it came-so easily that looked
at it frightened, supposing that l hat
broken it all to pieces. But there i
was, intact. | never failed in all my
practice, and have never broken tooth
in attempting to pull it. 1t is some
thing that the most delicate woman cal
do easily, if she knows how. My daugh
ter came to me while l was in Preston
-one of the coolest days of that win
ter. She, too, made the trip in an oper
wagon, wrapped up in buffalo robes
She was tiny child-and could not b,
separated from me any longer"
And what about your practic,
here?'
"Well, like everybody else, was no
contcnted until came back. / realized
that never should have gone away.
had been gone away from 1878 to 1879
Shortly after my return / met Mr.. Geo
b. Carpenter. Music Hall was not We
built, but was in contemplation.
went first to the corner of Michigan
avenue and Fourteenth street and hun!
out my sign. He persuaded me to opel
an Office in Music Hall, which was to b
opened in March. He said that friend
= r
.. business standpoint. had been look