The morning call., 1892-06-18
LENA KOSTER'S DEATH.
Her Relations Deny That There
Was a Criminal Operation.
Some Conflicting Testimony IntrOduced-Ihe
Inquest Adjourned for Thorough In
vestigation By the Police.

Who performed the criminal operation
that caused the death Of Mrs. Lena Koster
at her home. 1900 Kearny street. on Thurs
day? That is a problem that the police
and Coroner will probably never solve. Re-
lations Of the deceased continue TO assert
that no operation was performed, bnt the
autopsy revealed the fact that death was
due to malpractice.
Coroner GaTwood began an inquest at 4
o'clock yesterday afternoon. Albert Kos
ter, the widower, testified that she was "a
years old. She had been sick since her last
child was born, IS months ago. 'She never
had any medical treatment" said the wit
ness, Except that DR.. Merry was called in
the day before she died Previously l told
her to send for a doctor, but she did not do
so. She complained of pains in her side
We never had family physician, and Mrs
Schaefer, midwife, attended TO her in con-
fnement. At times she took teas as medi-
cine, but she never used instruments 0fany
kind. III she had | would have known it,
| want TO state right here that no criminal
operation was performed. She may have
injured herself by an accident"
DT. X. +. Williams told of the autopsy
made by him. There were marks of an in
strument. MetrO-peritOnitis, produced by
criminal operation, was the cause OF death.
Ut. L. y. mtINN ktNltutu Ludb lt WAS
called to attend the deceased on Wednes-
day. He found her pulse rapid and weak,
and prescribed stmulants and qGinine mix
lures Il asked her what was the matter"
said he, land she spoke of certain irregu-
lartles since the last child was born. She
did not say that she had been treated by
any one else. The next day l arrived after
she died, and ] refused 10 sign death GER
tticate, because / considered IL a case for
the Coroner to investigate"
Mrs. Charlotte Schaefer midwife. testi-
fed that she had not seen Mrs. Roster for
Is months prior to her death. She consld-
cred Mrs. Roster healthy woman, and was
not called TO attend her during her last sick
ness
Mrs. Catherine Waterman. widow, liv-
ing at 416 ShOtwell street, said that the de-
ceased was her daughter 'She complained
of having pains in her SIDE" continued Mrs
Waterman, land l was called to her bedside
Wednesday night and remained there until
she died. | do not know Of any operation
having been performed. My daughter COM
planned Of having pains all over her body
| thought she had rheumatism and rubbed
her with liniment. Last Sunday she was
out to my house and complained Of being
dizzy"
In answer to questions Miss Ada Water
man, a sister Of the deceased, said she had
visited Mrs Roster for two weeks before
death. 'She complained OF pains In her
side and stomach said the witness, but
only took teas. At l o'clock Wednesday
morning she became much worse. She had
such severe chills that she went to bed"
THAT is all the evidence l have at pres
ent," said Coroner GarwoOd 10 the jury,
but if you desire more l will take an ad-
journment."
After consulting some fine the jurors an
nounced that they aid desire further testi-
mOny to clear up the mystery. So an adj
jOurnment was taken until next Wednesday.
In ha ina ha atraH
endeavOr 10 fathom the peculiar ciTcum-
stances surrounding the case.