February
24, 1909 – Hearing a faint cry coming from a suitcase standing
on the counter of the Blue Ribbon Saloon, Minneapolis bartender Carl Thorson
opened the bag and was astounded to find a new born baby. A quick investigation
showed that the infant was still alive, but its limbs were cold.
The suitcase belonged to Dr. William C. Van Damme, a physician who was recently released from the penitentiary where he served a term for unlawful practice, and who had but a few moments before entered the saloon.
The suitcase belonged to Dr. William C. Van Damme, a physician who was recently released from the penitentiary where he served a term for unlawful practice, and who had but a few moments before entered the saloon.
According to the bartender, Dr. Van Damme entered the
saloon about 2 this afternoon in the company of Jack Crowe, clerk in the
American House next door to the saloon. The two had a drink together and the
doctor then requested the clerk to go upstairs and get his suitcase, which he
had left in the office.
The clerk did so and placed it on the counter. It was soon afterwards that the cry was heard by the bartender, who at first thought it to be a cat, and the discovery made.
An investigation by the police developed that a child had been born to a woman in the St. Lawrence Hotel at 10 this morning and that Dr. Van Damme had attended the case. The doctor was in no condition to make a statement when he was taken to police headquarters. He said, however, that he had gotten the child at the St. Lawrence Hotel.
The mother of the child, who gave her name as Mary Johnson, was found at the hotel. She was at once removed to the City Hospital, where she is doing well and is expected to recover, although she was in a precarious condition when found. It is believed the child will also recover.
The clerk did so and placed it on the counter. It was soon afterwards that the cry was heard by the bartender, who at first thought it to be a cat, and the discovery made.
An investigation by the police developed that a child had been born to a woman in the St. Lawrence Hotel at 10 this morning and that Dr. Van Damme had attended the case. The doctor was in no condition to make a statement when he was taken to police headquarters. He said, however, that he had gotten the child at the St. Lawrence Hotel.
The mother of the child, who gave her name as Mary Johnson, was found at the hotel. She was at once removed to the City Hospital, where she is doing well and is expected to recover, although she was in a precarious condition when found. It is believed the child will also recover.
Minneapolis City Hospital1
Ethel Anderson, a friend of Mary Johnson, who has been with her during her stay in Minneapolis, told police that Dr. Van Damme was engaged by them shortly after they reached the city. They came from a farm near Madison, Wis.
She also said that the doctor had introduced them to a young man named Bly who obtained rooms for them at the St. Lawrence. This was on Feb. 12. She stated that Dr. Van Damme performed the operation on Miss Johnson that day. As a result of her disclosure, R. M. Bly was arrested late this afternoon by Patrolman Belair and Detective Crummy.
Van Damme was convicted about four years ago in connection with the notorious Daisy Hadden case. The girl was brought to Minneapolis from St. Paul and an operation performed. Van Damme was sent to the state penitentiary.
According to the story told police by Ethel Anderson,
Miss Johnson is 25 years old and unmarried. The father of her child made his
escape some time ago and it was to hide her shame that Miss Johnson came to
Minneapolis.
Bly, who was arrested in connection with the case, is a drug clerk and is said by police to be the son of Dr. Bly.
Bly, who was arrested in connection with the case, is a drug clerk and is said by police to be the son of Dr. Bly.
Newspaper ads show both Dr. Bly and Dr. Van Damme specialized in women’s
diseases.2
The life of the child was saved entirely by the measures taken by Officer Belair, say physicians at the City Hospital.
Miss Anderson also told the police that Bly had been paid $25 for his assistance and that Dr. Van Damme had also received money. He was paid this morning after the birth of the child, she said, and had promised to take charge of the infant. He did not say what he would do with it.
Dr. Van Damme has previously been charged with performing illegal operations and being unable to care for patients because he was intoxicated.
The Minneapolis Tribune; “New Born Baby in a Suitcase. Minneapolis Physician Held Following Astounding Discovery. Cry of Child Attracts the Notice of Bartender in Saloon. Unlawful Deed Charged to Dr. Van Damme and R. N. Bly.”; Feb. 25, 1909; p. 1.
1http://www.lakesnwoods.com/images/hospit25.jpg
2The Minneapolis Tribune; Nov. 2, 1902; p. 11.
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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.
If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.
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