Norwich bulletin., 1914-07-03
PLIGHT OF WESTERLY PHYSICIAN
Df. Percy A Senior inJaI, Charged With Two Serious Crimes-Katie Boumenot, IS, Dies-Dead Body of Imna.ure Child Found in the Cellar-State Registry Vote Increased-TroIIey Lines Inspected.

Dr. Percy A, Senior. whose talents have been rnisapplied during his six years residence in Westerly, is under arrest upon the serious charges of abortion and murder. The penalty for abortion Is imprisonment for not more than twenty nor less than five years. pr. Senior was graduated from an English university and served in the English army as surgeon during the Boer war.
 He came to Westerly as a contract physician. that is to act for fraternal organizations for a specified sum and without regard to the number or cases or term of treatment. By agreement of the Westerly Medical society, mem practice under the contract system with fraternal organizations or in surance companies. Soon after this agreement was made, the services or Dr. Senior were secured At the be- ginning he did satisfactory service but finally commenced to indulge in in toxicattng drink to excess. neglected his duties and lost his appointment.
 He has been arrested on the charge of Hleaal ,rse of the mails and held by the federal government. He was re- centfy released from the Providence county jail, where he served a term aS a common drunizard. The doctor has a wife and several small children. to whom he seems devotediy attache ed, in spite of his continuous mtSbehavlOr.
 The woman in this abortion case IS Katie Boumeriot, or Benvenito, age IS. She and her sister were seen to visit Dr. Seniors office several times by Police Sergeant West and subsequent 1y Katie's brother with another man visited the doctor. These facts were reported to Chief Brown and close watch was kept on the movements of the doctor, who was seen to visit the girTs home
 When Chief Brown came on duty Wednesday night he learned that Katie Boumenot had died that morn ing and plans were made for burial on Thursday morning. He at once in- in the arrest Of Dr. Senior. The chief, accompanied by Harry B. Agard, town solicitor. and Dr. M. H. Scanlon, the medical examiner, visited the Bou- menot home Wednesday evening and, Mpon inquiry and investigation were convinced that an abortion had been performed by Dr. Senior June 24th, that resulted in the death of the girl July 2. Further evidence of the crime came Thursday morning with the ind ing by Chief Brown and Medical Ex- mminer Scanlon of the dead body of an immature child, wrapped in an old skirt and placed in a basket in the cellar
 After a mass of discriminating evil Yence had been gathered, Chief Brown fecided upon the arrest of DF. Senior And he was taken into custody by Ser teant West. 4 complaint drawn by Town Solicitor Agard charged the doc Dor with murder and abortion. He Fas arraigned before Judge Oliver H. Williams in the Third district court, Fshnrsday noon Upon completion of the reading of the complaint, .Dr. Se- hior pleaded not guilty and said no tnore. As the case is not bailable he EaS committed to the Washington county jail pending the hearing which Is set for July 10. Doctor Senior was taken to the Kingston jail by Sergeant West,
 By order of Medical Examiner Scan- lon the body of Katie Boumenot was taken to the morgue of Joseph T. Mur- phy, where an autopsy was performed, Drs. Scanlon, Smith, May and Briggs