New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-04
lSDR SCUDDER A MURDERED R!
A SON OF THE wELLKNOwN CLERGYMAN
UNDER GRAVE SUSPICION.
HE Is oHAseEp WITH KILLING HIS MorHERIN

HE Is CHARGED WITH hILilNV his MOIhDi'A|'
LAw-HIs FAMILY DECLARE HIN INSANE.
fpY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNEr
Chicago March 3--Much excitement was caused
in Chicago this afternoon by the announcement
that DR.. Henry NJ Scuddcr, well-known physi-
clan and son of the former pastor of Plymouth
Church, is under arrest at his fathers home.
No 1921 Grand Boulevard charged with murder.
Owing TO Dr. Scudders assertion that he Is sick
and unable to leave his bed, he has not been re-
moved to the Jail, but is closely guarded by ON
cers. The warrant which Dr. Scudder is held
was sworn out by F II. Dunton. proprietor OF
"The Spirit Of the Turf and The father of Mrs.
Scudder In the complaint Dunton alleges that
on Sunday. February 81, DR.. Scudder murdered
Mrs. Dunton by beating her on the head with
blunt weapon
DR.. Scudders wife is the adopted daughter OF
Mr. and Mrs. F. II. Dunton, and was married TO
Dr.. Scudder, who then wldower, HS'
September Mrs. Dunton had fortune of over
500. 600 an her own right According to the
story told this evening by Mr.. DuntOn, she had
intended 70 leave this TO some blood relatives, nut
\ short time ago as she lay in bcs, only hair
conscious of what she doing, she was induced
10 sign il over to Scudders wife. Mrs Dunton
had been an invalid for a long time. suffering
from an abdominal tumor and heart complications
and could have lived but short time unoer
any circumstances.
On Sunday February 81, she was sitting III
reclining chair near her bed. Dr. ocuu-
Ger was with her. Mr.. sDnnton was
living down in another room. Mrs. Dnntoh was
suddenly heard to scream, and II Is asser'cd "l''
a witness who hurried in saw Dr. Scudder s'ilNe
her over the head with something he drew HoL
his overcoat pocket She was then on her hailus
and knees on the floor A moment later Scudder
oha haH foll
and struck her head against the furniture Two
other physicians We're hastily summoned. lheN
found five SCALP wounds, all of which penetrated
70 the skull Mrs Dunton never recovered con-
scousness and died that afternoon. The doctors
who were called in expressed astonishmen 'ha'
falling against furniture could have produced such
wounds as had been inflicted, hut dm not que'-
ton Dr. Scudder's statement The body was TAKEN
IN JanesviIe Wis, the next day for burial. II
viii now be cxhuned and the wounds on the head
carefully examined.
Mr. Dunton, speaking of the affair, said to-day ;
"Scudder was alone with my wife previous 10 her
death Tie wounds ON her head were not 'here
before he came, nOr was his explanation oi eIe
wav in which they were caused satisfactory 10
me More than this. she had lately altered her
will in favor of his wife. Putting those thlhgs 10
cether am convinced that the young m''ii Hi"i-
dered nv wife 10 gain her money
As for Scndder il is said now that ne Is crazy
Tic Rev. Dr. Scudder, his father. and hs VIE
a,ncared before judge Scales to-day and asked To
have him committed to the detention hospital for
Examination as to his sanity.
Dr Scudder was born at Arcot India, forty years
AGO When he was five years old he came with DIS
father to San Francisco, where the father became
pastor of the Howard Presbyterian Church. Young
Scudder went to Yale at seventeen, aiterwaru
studied medicine in Philadelphia, and was gradu-
ated from the Long Island Medical Hospital III
1874 He finished lis medical education
in London and Paris, and then went
10 India as medical officer OF the
American Arcot Mission. lie spent WN
wears in various parts of India achieNlng ehNl"
reDutation IS a practitioner or some ule ~.
was medical officer for the Engnsb 'fONcfIneh'
for Arcot ard the surrounding country. ne re-
turned to this country on WISH 10 MS Ia'Hi
about eight years ago, and hattermg 9ners IN
duced him TO remain in Chicago. lie mas SLICE
then held the place of chief OF tie Tree as
rensarv OF the Armour Mission, and a member
Of the Advisory Board Of that Institution ehlei
obstetrician of st. Lukc's Hospital ana chlcl eA-
amininc officer for ,wO large insurance cohpahi1s
TJe has devoted much Of his tune 70 nome nlis-
sionarv work. especially 10 tie relef OF sicNess
and suffering among the poor, ana mas peco"ne
widely known.