Spokane Doctor Charged in Tragic Death
A local physician faces manslaughter charges following the death of a young woman.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Spokane—Dr. John R. Creighton was bound over to the superior court for trial on a charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of Mrs. 'Jack' Maxwell, otherwise known as Maud Breeden. This was the result of a preliminary examination before Justice G. W. Stocker. Five witnesses were examined on behalf of the prosecution. A motion to dismiss the proceedings was offered by the defense, and when this was denied by Justice Stocker the defendant refused to offer any testimony and the order binding the defendant over to the superior court was made. An application to reduce the bail from $2,000 was denied. The matter of securing bonds was taken charge of by E. P. Gailbraith, deputy county assessor. Dr. Creighton is a member of Sedgwick post, G. A. R., and other members of the post are interested in securing his liberation from jail. Mr. Gailbraith said: 'If I believed the doctor guilty no one would urge stronger for severe punishment, but I am convinced that he is the victim of a plot. I can tell you facts I know, but they will be brought out during the trial, and will show that the doctor is not guilty. Members of the post are determined to assist our comrade as far as we possibly can.'
“If I believed the doctor guilty no one would urge stronger for severe punishment, but I am convinced that he is the victim of a plot.”
While legal and medical standards have transformed, the social stigma surrounding reproductive healthcare deaths remains a recurring historical friction point in Pacific Northwest courtrooms, often pitting community reputation against judicial processes.
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