A case reported over several months involving “morals” charges and abortion was settled in late September 1944 with the conviction of two women and the acquittal of another. Involved were three Mexicans who worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and were living in a camp in the lower part of Dauphin County and eight women, some of whom were required to have “health” tests following their arrest. An abortion had been performed on one of the women – probably discovered when she was admitted to the Harrisburg Hospital in early March, 1944 for “observation and treatment.” Three women were charged in matters related to the abortion.
The Harrisburg newspapers were careful not to describe what “health” tests were given to the women, but there surely was concern over the transmittal of sexually transmitted diseases. It doesn’t appear though that the men were required to have the tests.
The story begins with the Telegraph‘s report of the hospital admission, about a week after the alleged abortion was supposedly committed.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, March 2, 1944:
RETURNS FROM HARRISBURG HOSPITAL
Miss Lois Wilbur, Allen Street, Royalton, was taken to the Harrisburg Hospital for observation and treatment.
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From the Harrisburg Evening News, August 1, 1944:
SEIZE ELEVEN ON MORALS CHARGE
Eleven arrests, including those of several young girls and three Mexicans from a work camp, on morals charges, have been made in the lower end of dauphin County by State Police on information they gathered and submitted to the District Attorney’s office, it was disclosed today.
Four of the girls and also the Mexicans were seized last Friday in the “Aqueduct” section of Middletown. The others were arrested subsequently at their homes in Middletown or Royalton. Investigations that led to the arrests were made by State Policemen J. E. Thompson and W. S. Wylan.
Policeman Thompson reported Pauline N. Crater, 20, Middletown was held under $1500 bail for the grand jury following a hearing yesterday before Alderman W. L. Windsor Jr. on an abortion charge. Mrs. Margaret Arndt, 37, Mill Street, Middletown, was held under $500 bail for grand jury action on a charge of being an accessory.
Police said an accessory charge was to be lodged today before Alderman Windsor against Betty Jane Updegraff, 18, Penn Street, Royalton, who was committed to jail for 10 days on a disorderly conduct charge pending the outcome of a “health” test, according to Policeman Thompson.
According to the police, Lois Jean Wilbur, 18, Royalton, upon whom the abortion allegedly was committed on February 21 at Middletown; Gloria Campbell, 18, Middletown, and Pauline Hauser, 18, Middletown, were committed to jail for 10 days each on disorderly conduct charges pending the outcome of “health” tests. Betty Still, 22, Middletown, was committed to jail under $300 bail on a similar charge for a hearing and a “health” test and a 16-year-old Middletown girl was committed to the Detention Home for a “health” test.
The Mexicans, described by police as Juan L. Martinez, 24; Juan V. Roldon, 20; and Miguel M. Arroyo, 19, Pennsylvania Railroad laborers, who reside at a Royalton work camp, paid $10 fines and the costs each on disorderly conduct charges.
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From the Harrisburg Evening News, August 5, 1944:
HELD FOR GRAND JURY
One of eleven persons arrested on morals charges last week by State Police in the lower end of Dauphin County, Betty Jane Updegraff, 18, Penn Street, Royalton, was held under $1000 bail for grand jury action following a hearing yesterday before Alderman W. L. Windsor Jr., on a charge of being an accessory in abortion.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, 20 Sep 1944:
A trial without jury, before President Judge William M. Hargest, is underway in the cases of Pauline N. Crater, 20, Middletown; Betty Jane Updegroff, 18, Royalton, and Mrs. Margaret E. Arndt, Middletown, on charges of an illegal operation on an 18-year-old girl last February.
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From the Harrisburg Telegraph, September 21, 1944:
Pauline N. Crater, 20, Middletown, charged with abortion, and Betty Jane Updegroff, 18, Royalton, charged with being an accessory to abortion, were adjudged guilty by President Judge Hargest and were ordered committed to the Women’s Industrial Home at Muncy. The court acquitted Mrs. Margaret E. Arndt, 37, Middletown, who was accused of recommending medicine to aid abortion.
Also from the Harrisburg Telegraph, September 21, 1944:
President Judge William M. Hargest adjudged Pauline N. Crater, 20, Middletown, guilty of performing an illegal operation; Betty Jane Updegroff, 18, Royalton, accessory to the crime; and acquitted Mrs. Margaret E. Arndt, 37, Middletown, of a charge in the same case which involved an 18-year-old girl. Miss Crater and Miss Updegroff were sent to the Women’s Industrial Home at Muncy.
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From the Harrisburg Patriot, September 21, 1944:
TWO FOUND GUILTY OF ABORTION CHARGE
Two young women, Pauline N. Crater, 20, Middletown, charged with abortion, and Betty Jane Updegroff, 18, Penn Street, Royalton, were adjudged guilty by President Judge Hargest in Dauphin County Court yesterday and were sent to the Women’s Industrial Home at Muncy.
Mrs. Margaret E. Arndt, 37, Mill Street, Middletown, was adjudged innocent of a charge in the same case.
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News articles from Newspapers.com and from the on-line resources of the Free Library of Philadelphia.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.