Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-01
BABIES IN FURNACES.
Philadelphia Coroner Unearthina Ter.
r!ble Sink of Crime,

Philadelphia, March 31.-Four nor
sons are in prison, three awaiting the
action OF the grand jury and the fourth
! under indictment on the charge of be-
ing an accessory to the death of an in
FAINT. as 4 result of Coroner Dusan's
crusade against the syndicate of NAL.
practitioners which he says exists in
this city. Detectives are after clews at
All inquest at death of Mary b. Sloan
and Sarah Hughes, young women who
died more than a year ago.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ashmead, also known
as DIR. COnde,' and "Dr. Maron" is
the principal in the case. The coroner
declares that many young women and
countless babies have come to their
death through treatment received at
Mrs. Ashmead's establishment. The
woman, her son, Rowland Eshmead.
Jr., and Dr. Matthew McVicker have
been committed to prison without bail.
DR. David A. MOsier is indicted and
is said to have made a confession re-
VealinG the names of others engaged
in the same nefarious business. Ad-
ditional arrests are expected.
Stories of babies taken from uncon-
scious mothers and thrust into the red
hot Goals of cellar furnace were told
before Coroner Dugan, Wednesday. ac-
cordinS to Philadelphia special to the
Boston Herald at the inquest into the
deaths Of Sarah Hughes and Mary Z.
Sloan. who are alleged to have died as
teh result of illegal operations.
In reality the hearing had a wider
scope than the mere probing into the de
mise Of the two women. 1t was a blow
at the alleged malpractice syndicate and
the crematory which is said to have
stifled many an infants cries. was told of
by DR." David T. Mosier of 1923 French
street; the alleged head of the operators,
who had made Il full confession to the
coroner.
AS a result of the testimony. DR.. Mat
thew McVickars of 16o6; Wharton street;
Mrs. Elizabeth Ashmead of 256 South 18th
street and her son, Rowland Ashmead.
were committed to prison by the coroner
Grace Ashmead daughter of the wo-
man. was locked up as witness
Bogus death certificates also PLAYED a
part in the story. The sensational in
anest was the climax of the inquiry OF
the coroner into the baby farm band.
For a long time the house on South 18th
street has been under observation. Deaths
of women and the utter disappearance of
their infants were traced to it. The
story OF the part the cellar furnace play
ed in the tragedies under the supervision
of Mrs. Ashmead. who is known as the
woman in black came out as a side
light.
Although Dr. Mosier. the fallen king of
the syndicate. told the story of the fur
mace on the stand, the prisoners were held
not for the deaths of the infants. but for
the killing of the mothers who had
brought them into the world. Mrs ASH
mead. when interviewed in her cell. today
said that Moser's story was false in ev-
cry detail.
Mosier. after the usual preliminary
UnpStiOpS asked '.'Tp11 1hpIIt the
killing of infants.
Il know a great deal about it." he be-
gan. Il saw a number Of children thrown
into the furnace. Mrs. Ashmead had
them in her apron. One or two children
were crying. and she tossed all of them
into the furnace