A Young Mother Dies at Cottage Lake—and the Coroner Stops the Funeral
Twenty-two-year-old Mary Heizog died in childbirth attended by an “old woman” of uncertain training; when Dr. Chase arrived three hours too late, Deputy Coroner Frank Carroll ordered the burial halted for an investigation.
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.
Deputy Coroner Frank Carroll will go to Cottage Lake, four miles from Woodinville, this morning to investigate the death of Mrs. Mary Heizog. From the report received at the coroner’s office yesterday afternoon it appears that Mrs. Heizog died during childbirth. The child survives her. She was attended by an old woman, but whether in the capacity of professional nurse or simply as a friend is not known. It is said that Dr. Chase was called after complications set in, but owing to the distance he did not arrive until three hours after the woman was dead. She was only 22 years old.
Arrangements were made to bury her this afternoon, but Deputy Coroner Carroll telegraphed to have the service stopped until he had investigated the matter to ascertain if there was criminal carelessness. Mr. Carroll will return to the city tonight.
“She was attended by an old woman, but whether in the capacity of professional nurse or simply as a friend is not known.”
In an era before reliable rural obstetrical care, a young woman’s death in childbirth could become a coroner’s inquiry into negligence. The story echoes today’s concerns about maternal mortality and the distance between rural families and medical help.
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