Charles Carroll Tower (1833 - 1893)

Born 26 Sep 1833 in Cohasset, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 30 May 1893 at age 59 in Weymouth, Norfolk, Massachusetts, United States

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Biography

This biography is a rough draft. It was auto-generated by a GEDCOM import and needs to be edited.

Sources

• "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZKF-CRZ : 15 January 2020), Charles Carroll Tower, 1833.
• "Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NWC3-PZ7 : 6 April 2020), Charles Carroll Tower, 29 May 1893; citing Weymouth, Massachusetts, v 437 p 571, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 961,510.

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Notes

FROM THE TRIAL OF GEO C HERSEY MURDER OF BETSEY FRANCES TIRRELL

Dr. C. C. Tower sworn — examined by Mr. Harris. — I reside in Weymouth, and practise medicine. I was called to assist in the post-mortem examination of Betsy Frances Tirrell, last May. At the request of Dr. Howe, I met him at the house, at two o'clock in the afternoon, to assist at the postmortem examination. On removing the clothes from the body, I noticed some peculiar appearances which led me to suspect pregnancy. I think I asked Dr. Howe if the subject was a married female. I had no acquaintance with her, and did not know. He said not. I then called his attention and that of the other physician to these appearances, which I considered indicative of pregnancy. Afterwards we commenced the examination. The body was opened in the usual way, and the heart and lungs exposed. The heart appeared firm and compact, and round, instead of flat and soft, as it sometimes is. An incision was made into the two cavities, in order to thrust in the two fingers of the left hand to raise it. Then, with the right hand and the knife, I separated the heart from its attachments to the great blood-vessels, and in doing so considerable dark fluid blood escaped. The heart was then examined very carefully. It was cut open and examined critically. The valves and cavities appeared to be perfectly natural, and that was the opinion expressed by all the physicians,— that it was natural; that was my opinion. Afterwards we examined the lungs. The lungs were considerably filled with blood and gorged, especially in the dependent portions, or lower parts, but perfectly crepitant. That is the term that indicates that they are in a state of health. We next proceeded to examine the intestines. On raising the intestines of the lower part of the abdomen, our attention was called to the uterus, which was very much enlarged. It was then decided to cut into the uterus and ascertain its contents. I did so, and found it to contain a foetus. We then stopped further proceedings and consulted, and it was decided to do no more at present.

After a coroner was called, and some delay, we were ordered to proceed in our examination. The stomach, intestines and liver were removed and placed in a jar, the jar sealed, and given in the care of Dr. Howe. The brain was also examined in the usual way. The scalp was first cut in the usual manner from ear to ear and brought over the forehead, and by means of the saw the top of the scull was removed. This exposed the membranes of the brain. These membranes appeared perfectly healthy, as far as I was able to decide. These were then cut through, and the brain substance exposed. The anterior portion of the brain — that portion which lies over the eyes — was then raised, and with a knife I reached down as low as I could reach, and separated the brain from the marrow of the spinal column. I made the incision at the second spinal vertebra, and removed the contents of the head. I discovered nothing that I conceived could be the cause of death in the brain, nor in any other organ that I examined. I found everything healthy and in a natural condition, as far as I examined.

I removed the foetus, and took it home with me, and preserved it in spirit, for the purpose of making a subsequent examination. I made an examination for the purpose of determining what its age was. Several days afterwards — it might have been a week, possibly two weeks, but I think not so long — I took it with me to Dr. Fifield, and we compared it with a foetus which he has in his possession, the age of which he knew. I also had in my possession, at home, a foetus, the age of which I knew, and I compared it with that. I also noticed carefully the development of the foetus with regard to the eyes, the mouth and the organs; and from the authorities that I consulted, I made up my mind with regard to its age. I was also influenced by the appearance of the uterus in the body, and also by the external appearnace of the woman, which I mentioned at first. The result of my examination was that the foetus was about three months old. It might vary one or two weeks, but I think it would not exceed three months, and might fall short perhaps two weeks.

I divided the brain and sliced it up. It is usual, in making an examination of the brain, to cut it into small slices, in order to ascertain if there is any abscess or disease. I did so in this case.

I noticed that the body was very stiff and rigid. The wrists were tied by a string over the abdomen, and on attempting to straighten one of the arms, I found it very difficult. I found it necessary to place my right knee at the elbow, with toy left hand at the wrist, and my right hand between the elbow and the shoulder, and make a forcible extension -•- so hard was it to be extended. I noticed also that the fingers were bent towards the palm of the hand, and the lower limbs were contracted. The lips were not closed. There appeared to be a slight puckering on one side of the face. My attention was called to that by one of the other physicians, and I stated at the time that I did not know whether it was a natural appearance of the body, or whether it was produced by the method of death, as I had never seen the subject in life.

Cross-examined by Mr. Baker. — The rigidity I speak of occurred to me at the time I made the post-mortem examination, and I don't know that it has ever been out of my mind since. It was a very distinct impression in my mind. I think I have seen as great rigidity as this in other cases, but it is unusual to find such extreme rigidity. I considered this a remarkable rigidity. I came to that conclusion when I made the examination. I had that impression at the time of the preliminary examination at Weymouth. I can't say what I stated there; I don't remember the precise language I used. My impression is, however, that I meant to convey that idea. I don't remember stating that I noticed no remarkable rigidity. I cannot^ swear that I did not say so. 1 might have said so. I say now that there was a remarkable rigidity. I don't know that I have any reason to remember the circumstances better now than I did then. I have not talked the matter over with other physicians frequently. I cannot say whether or not I testified at Weymouth that there was no remarkable rigidity in that body. 1 might have stated there, as I have stated here, that I had seen as great rigidity before. I cannot say any further than I have, that I might have said so, but I don't remember it now. I state these things from the best of my recollection at the time of making my statements. If I made that statement, when I made it, I intended to speak the truth. It was true, according to my knowledge, if I made it at that time. I have remembered the remarkable appearance of the face ever since I made the examination. I testified at Weymouth that Dr. Fifield called my attention to the appearance of the face, and I said that I could not tell whether it was owing to contortions or contractions of the face before death or after; that I did not know but it might be the natural expression of the countenance. But I noticed that there was a slight withdrawal

of one corner of the mouth from the teeth. Presume I did not use the expression, " the withdrawal of the lips," then; I meant.to convey the same idea. I might have said at the former examination, that Dr. Fifield called my attention to the face, and I did not find anything unusual in the face. If I said so, it was true.

Re-direct by Mr. Harris. — I was called to make a post-mortem examination of a dog soon after this, by the coroner. A young man of the name of Moses Hawes went with me. He belonged in that neighborhood. The dog was in a pasture back of Mr. Tirrell's house, about an eighth of a mile. The remains of the dog hung upon some bushes in a ravine, a kind of swamp, and the young man pointed out the dog as Mr. Tirrell's dog. The young man has since died — I think within two or three weeks. The dog was what is usually called a black-and-tan terrier; it was quite a small and very slender animal. I would say that the remains were partially decomposed from exposure, and quite freely inhabited by maggots. In the frontal portion of the head, directly above the eyes, in the centre, was a perforation, perfectly round, which I ascertained, from subsequent examination, pierced the skull, which was broken, and there was quite a large opening at the angle of the jaw on the left side, with portions of bone projecting, and my opinion was that the ball entered in front, and came out there. I removed the stomach, which was whole. The intestines were so completely destroyed that I could not remove them. That stomach I gave to Dr. Howe.

Dr. Tower recalled. —The foetus I spoke of was shown by me to Dr. J. B. S. Jackson, of Boston. I think it was last Thursday.