A widow named Mrs. Evens died in Rochester, New York, in very early February of 1884. Dr. Alonzo R. Sherman originally signed a death certificate blaming her death on inflammation of the bowels, but because of suspicious circumstances an inquest was held which concluded that she had died after an abortion perpetrated with instruments of some sort.

Find-a-Grave has a memorial for a Sarah Evans buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester. It is possible that this is the Mrs. Evens who died after the abortion.

Source:

• “A Rochester Sensation,” Holley (NY) Standard, February 7, 1884