Exciting Case: 1855

I just came across this sad little article in The Jeffersonian, a newspaper published out of Stroundsburg from 1853 - 1911.

June 28, 1855

The people of Tinicum township, Bucks county, Pa., have been in a fearful state of excitement for the last ten days growing out of the sudden death of a young lady, named Elizabeth Hillpot. The lady had resided at Doylestown, and while there was seduced. She returned home, but to conceal her shame went to Philadelphia, on the pretence of leaning a trade, and while there, as is believed, an abortion was attempted, under the operation of which she died. The body was taken to her father’s residence in Tinicum, and buried. In consequence of rumors and the constantly increasing excitement, the body was disinterred, after a burial of several weeks, and an inquest held thereon. The Jury was in session last Saturday at Eichline’s tavern, in Tinicum. The mother was a witness, and in her testimony gave the name of the seducer. At this announcement, the audience stood like statues—not a question was asked, nor a word spoken for several minutes. The person whose name was mentioned was in the room, and all eyes were turned upon him.

The testimony here closed, and the Jury adjourned to a private room to make up their verdict; and when it was announced, it was: “That Elizabeth Hillpot came to her death in the city of Philadelphia, by the premature birth of a child.”

Great excitement prevailed, and the indignation of the people know no bounds. The crowd assembled around a carriage containing one of the witnesses, shouts for “Rail! Rail!! Rail!!!” resounded throughout the audience, and but [for] the interference of officers, he must have had a free ride without saddle or bridle. The carriage, however, was permitted to proceed unmolested, and the indignation of the people subsided. Active efforts are in progress to ferret out the guilty parties, and the efforts of the District Attorney will be untiring until it is accomplished.