New-York tribune., 1900-05-06
JURY REACHES VERDICT.
SAYS MARY SMITHS DEATH WAS DUE
TO PERITONITIS AFTER OPERA ON.
MRS. KERsTEN CHARGED WITH PERFORM
ING IT-SHE is THE REAL MAGGIE
BRUCE"-CLOSE RESEMBLANCE
BETWEEN HER AND THE
DEAD WOMAN.

The jury the inquest held by Coroner Bausch
into the death Of Mary Smith on April at No. 15l
East Eighty-sxth-st., yesterday rendered verdict
that Mary Smith died from septic peritontis fol-
lowing abortion crimnally performed by Helen
Kersten," and that Margaret Hassler was acces-
sorry thereto" They also censure DR.. GustaVe
Gengenbacher for negligence in failing to ascer-
tain the physical condition of the deceased
while attending her in a professional capacity
They recommended that proper legislation be en-
acted making 1t obligatory upon the Department
of Health of New-York County to report all cases
of peritonitis causing the death Of females 20 the
Coroners office for investigation Soon after the
verdict was read a warrant for the arrest of Mrs.
Kersten secured, and Mrs. Hassler was held
IN s. 600 bail by Coroner Bausch. She sent to
the Tombs IN default of bail. Belle Howard was
sent to the House of Detention a witness
In reviewing the facts of the before the
hearing closed Coroner Bausch said he believed
there were combinations in this city between mid
wife physician and undertaken to work together
for the concealnent of crime.
The hearing held in the Coroners' office. in
the Criminal Courts Building. Coroner Bausch had
a long talk with Mrs. Hassler before the session,
and at its close he said that she the real
Maggie Bruce. Mrs. Hassler and the dead woman,
he said looked very much alike. DR.. John H.
Feindel, dentist. identified the body of the woman
who died in Mrs Hassler's house as Maggie Bruce
1t was said that the discovery of the great SINH
larity between Mary Smith and Mrs. Hassler
onerates him of any blame for making wrong
Identification Among those who testified yester-
dev were DR. Gengenbacher, of No. 39 East Thir-
teenth-st; William Daseking, undertaken. of
No 3Gs East Tenth-st. who buried Mary Smith;
Belle Howard Coroner's Physician o. Hanlon. who
| performed an autopsy the body of Mary Smith;
Mrs Margaret Hassler and DR.. Fendel DR.. Gen
| renbacher said he was called to attend the Smith
uornan on April 9. He first thought she suf
feriug with appendicitis, but later discovered that
II was a case Of pertonitis. He acknowledged that
! he had said 10 Mrs. Hassler that the woman only
| had a cold He prescribed her, and her
,,clyal ha ,onfy y,nu-
her name before he the death certificate. He
| said he probably knew her name after the third
| visit He was then asked if he did not know that
| a criminal operation had been performed the
woman and he replied that he did not suspect that
| the woman's death was due to such an operation
/ until he read about the case In the newspapers. .
William Daseking swore that two women heavliy
veiled called upon him and asked him to name his
| lowest figure fo- burying a body. One of the
| women was Mrs Kersten. he said. He also testi-
fed that they told him they wanted the body re-
| moved from the house when 1t was quiet" He
/ added that he did not think such request an un-
Belle Howard testified that Mrs Kersten was a
| Smith first called Mrs. Kersten March y.
| She said knew Mrs. Kersten performed Illegal
told her that DR.. Geneenbacher was her doctor"
| She then told Of the Smith woman calling see
Mrs. Kersten again and OF the woman later going
| Mrs Kersten and Mrs. Hasser sisters.
| DR. O'Hanlon testified that the woman died from
| peritontis, following criminal operation.
| gle Bruce. Her husbands name Robert Bruce
She testified that Mrs. kersten frequently called
| She also said she for Dr. Gengenbacher and
| arranged for the funeral and paid the burial ex-
to call late night. She denied that she and Mrs
! Kersen were related.