Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1910-01-28
EXPECT ACTION IN
QUADRUP
WILSON AFFAIR MAY GO TO
GRAND JURY
MATERNITY HOMES ARE FACING
RIGID INVESTIGATION
Humane Officer Declares That Sew
eral in Los Angeles Should
Have Their Doors
Closed

/ wilson case SOlllS UG-
fore the grand jury was the effect of
a report sent out last night. Although
not officially confirmed, SO great has
been the agitation aroused by the dis
| closures regarding the maternity
| houses made in Judge Wtlbur's court
yesterday, that many are of the opin-
ion that the case will be rushed to
the grand jury.
Late last night, Judge Wilbur re-
fused to give any opinion on the sub
| ject other than sayingthat there was a
possibility that the case would 90 be-
fore the grand jury.
whether the case will or will not
go to the grand jury, am unable to
state at the present time" declared
the judge. ST held a conference with
Deputy District Attorney Percy Ham
mon yesterday and there are yet many
! legal points of the case which must
be gone over
Although but little information is be-
| ing given out by the city officials, 1t
| is probable that several of the half
dozen or more maternity houses now
being operated in the city will have
the licenses revoked. A searching in
quiry into the conduct of such ma
ternity hospitals as that operated by
Mrs. katherine e. Smith at 727 Sun
set boulevard also will be begun.
Chance for Investigation
Humane officer R. W. Reynolds con-
ffrrned the report that a campaign
probably will be begun against the
maternity houses.
"While I do not believe that the
case ever will go to the grand jury,
I do think that a careful investigation
of such houses as Mrs. Smiths will
be instituted. Although there now are
not more than eight or ten such houses
operating with a license, there are
many rooming houses of questionable
character and these also should be
closed" declared Mr.. Reynolds.
Notwithstanding the fact that it was
| given out that criminal prosecution
threatened DR.. Paul Bresee as the re-
suit of his admission in the superior
court that he assisted Mrs. Wilson in
perpetrating the hoax of the birth of
the three triplets, four years ago, it
has been discovered that such cases
are outlawed one year after being re-
corded. Yesterdays testimony brought
out additional facts concerning DIT
Bresee's connection with the case.
Mrs. Wilson told me she loved
babies and she planned to have them
! that way testified DR.. Bresse. "She
! told me that she was able to care for
them and 1 consented to it at that
time. She said her husband was a
wealthy druggist.
Declined Second Request
"a few months ago she came to me
| and wanted me to do the same thing
again. | declined to do so. 1 told her
she was almost certain to be found out
and that the swindle upon Mr.. Wilson
was not fair.
st also knew she was not able to take
care of them. She called at my office
frequently and told me that she had
another physician. I was aware OF
what was to be done.
But one parent was present yester-
day when the four babies, wrapped in
flannel and quilts, were brought into
| Judge Wilbur's court. incidentally
Judge Wilbur determined that Mr.. and
Mrs. Wilsan, 2O19 Magnolia avenue,
are not the parents of either of the
two boys or the two girls.
Hilda Linquist was the name given
by the mother of the oldest girl who
said that the father of the child was
Carl Jordan, an engineer, who works
at San Pedro.
"What is the baby's NAME" asked
Judge Wilbur.
i didn't name it." was the reply.
"Name it now them"
"Call her Agnes" was the mother s
/ request, and thus was the first of the
"duadruplets" listed under case No.
1881 of the juvenile court records.
Parents Not Discovered
All inquiry failed to reveal the par
ents of the ether thre children and
! Judge Wilbur adjourned the court for
| one week in order that the officers
might have time to bring the parents to
light.
The other girl who, according to
! NErs smith was horn at Jones' hos
pital on Santee street about month
ago. was tagged "Jane Doe, No. 1880.
| Accompanying the baby was note,
supposedly from the mother, which
read:
1--WE give you this baby and hope
YOU will find a good home for her. We
don't want to know where it is. Mrs
The two boys were tagged John
Doe, No. 1888" and Richard Doe, No,
1892 .,
"Richard was born eight days ago."
testified Mrs. Smith. His mother is an
unmarried woman who's name l do
not know. 1 am going to see her to-
day, She says she wants to take her
baby back and care for it herself"
While it now is doubtful if all the
babies will live, everything possible
will be done for them.
"Of one thing 1 am certain de-
clared Humane Officer Reynolds.
''That is that all four babies would
have died of neglect had Mrs. Wilson
been allowed to keep them. They
would have met the fate of the trip
| 1afs -