During the trial, the prosecution brought up, as evidence of guilty intent, the fact that Hobbs had been indiced already for the abortion death of Ellen Matson.

The abortion had been performed on November 1, 1917.

Ellen was taken to West End Hospital in Chicago, where she died on November 18. She was 29 years old.

Hobbs was convicted and sentenced to 14 years at Joliet.

Hobbs was also implicated, but never tried, for the 1917 abortion death of Ruth Lemaire.

These fatal abortions were typical of pre-legalization abortions in that they were performed by a physician.

Note, please, that with issues such as doctors not using proper aseptic techniques, lack of access to blood transfusions and antibiotics, and overall poor health to begin with, there was likely little difference between the performance of a legal abortion and illegal practice, and the aftercare for either type of abortion was probably equally unlikely to do the woman much, if any, good. For more information about early 20th Century abortion mortality, see Abortion Deaths 1910-1919.

Source: 297 Ill. 399, 130 N.E. 779 Supreme Court of Illioois, People vs. Hobbs No. 13390 April 21, 1921, appeal on behalf of Lillian Hobbs; Homicide in Chicago Interactive Database

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