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The Man Who Accidentally Killed His Wife In 1930 By Biting Her Pinkie Finger In His Sleep
Nearly a century ago, a prominent New York City man accidentally killed his wife in a bizarre accident
Most people who have a significant other can usually recite any number of nocturnal habits their partner has that annoys them at night. These nighttime indiscretions are usually relegated to snoring or tossing and turning, However, in one bizarre instance from 1930, a woman was bitten on the finger by her slumbering husband, and was dead within a week due to the resulting injury.
The October 16, 1930 issue of the Boston Globe performed the solemn duty of informing their readers about the curious and morbid case of Mrs. May Birn.
The Birns lived in New York City, where the husband, Jesse Ham Birn, was a respected leader of the local Jewish community. He also worked as a dealer in fine China, finding such success that the couple was considered wealthy and successful — the Daily News even referred to them as “millionaires.”
In the autumn of 1930, the pair were sleeping in bed when Mrs. Birn’s left hand errantly moved in the middle of the night, with her hand going into her husband’s mouth. Unaware of what he was doing, he bit down on the object he found…
