Eva ShaverabortionistsfemaleAnna JohnsonA young Chicago woman, Anna Johnson, was found dead with a bullet hole in her head on May 26, 1915, in Shaver’s home. She had died of a botched abortion, then Shaver had shot the corpse in an attempt to make the death appear to have been a suicide.

Shaver was tried for Johnson’s death and the abortion death of another patient, Lillie Giovenco, in 1914.

Shaver was born Eva Anna Shoup in December 5, 1869 Caledonia, Ontario, daughter of Levi Reuben and Sarah Ann (Coulter) Shoup. She was the middle child, with an older brother, Martin, and a younger brother, William. She married a US citizen, Charles Wesley Shaver, on July 10, 1885, and later moved to Chicago. The couple had two children, Clarence and Charles.

Clarence marketed abortifacient pills called “Dr. Eva Shaver’s Specific Relief for Ladies,” and was also implicated in Anna Johnson’s death.

Shaver died in Chicago on April 6, 1938.

Mother and son. Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN-0003451. Courtesy of Chicago History Museum.
Clarence and Dr. Eva Shaver escorted by a police officer, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, DN-0003451. Courtesy of Chicago History Museum.
The Shaver home. Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Courtesy of Chicago History Museum.