Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-03-11

"Resolved, That Fannie s. Tuchton
cpme 10 her death from injuries re-
ceiyed in manner or form unknown to
| the Jury on and about February eth,
| 1887.
Such was the verdict of the coro.
| nor's Jury in the case OF the young
woman whose body was found in the
south long race Tuesday morning week.
II IL a verdict which leaves the case
open md sends it into history with
the significant parallel, "Anothor
Katie Dugan Case.
The inquest, which was held in the
| municipal court room Friday night,
/ opened about 7. 10 o'clock and coo-
| tinued for four hours. Deputy Coro
nsr James T. Chandler conducted tho
inquest, but the coroner, j. Thomas
Wright who is rarely present on such
occasions, was also there and occupied
seat upon the Judges platform be-
tween Attorney General Robert o.
White and Court Stenographer L.
G.. Hardesty. The jury, comprising
Charles Whann, foreman; John W.
Stetser. secretary; William II. Muir.
nhy. James j. Doherty, a. p. Stetser.
Frank Carey, William Lyons, Il. L.
Myers and pepnell Stetser occupied
chairs in front of the clerk OF the
COURTS desk. Chief OF Police Dolan,
Police Captain Thomas A. Kane ana
State Detective Walter Witsil assisted
in getting the case before the jury.
The evidence was taken down by Court
Stenographer dardesty and some of the
questions were asked by the attorney
general
Before the taking of testimony began
Mr.. Chandler directed the witnesses
to go to the chief OF policies room and
the investigation was opened in the
hearing of perhaps 40 persons, com
prising city officials, police officers and
others.
Mrs. Mary Z. Ellis Of No. 800 South
Twelfth street, Philadelphia, testified
who had been Miss Pierce. A tintype
was shown the witness and on it she
recognized picture of Mrs. Tuchton' 8
as that OF the Mrs. Taylor she had
known. She first saw Mrs. Taylor on
July 9th last in her parlor. Mrs. Tay-
ior's husband, as the witness supposed,
was with her. They rented room
from the witness, and Mrs. Taylor
remaind there for three months. Wit
ness understood Mr. Taylor to he
travelling agent, and they said they
were from Trenton, N. j.. Mr.. Taylor
would come to visit his wife one, two
md three times a week. The witness
questioned Mrs. Taylor as to her mar
riage and the latter said she would got
her husband to get or bring the cer-
titicate, ard he did show Mrs. Ellis a
certificate OF marriage of Samuel Tay-
lor and Miss Fannie Pierce. 1t was
signed by Mr.. Burrell OF Camden.
Witness understood that the certificate
was afterward destroyed. Later Fannie
spoke TO Mrs. Ellis. who was trained
nurse, and wanted her to perform a Grim
inal operation, but Mrs. Ellis refused to
do it. Fannie was at Mrs. Ellis house
until October llth.
In response to question, the wit.
ness said that Fannie was very loving
TO her husband, but he seemed the
othoF way, from what Fannie told the
witness. Mrs. Ellis, however. said
Z that when she saw him no treated
tannie well and she never heard him
use any rough language. Fannie said
10 her thar it would never do for her
husbands family to learn of her con.
ditlon, as it would disgrace him in the
eyes OF his family. He never said any.
thing about her condition. He said he
would like to get rid of The d.
thing. lilo made this remark re-
peatedly. He sail he would give Sl00
to $500 to got rid of it. Mrs. Ellis
suggested to send il TO home. but
the husband said ring its neck; any
way TO get rid of it," Thereupon,
witness had turned to Fannie and
asked her what shs thought OF that,
and Fannie replied that anything ne
said was all right.
Mrs. Ellis went on to tell OF tine
finding of Fannie by her brother,
Frederick Peacock. He had recog.
niaed her through the window and al
once came to the door. Fannie got
down on her knees and implored the
witness "For Gods sake, don't let
him in. If Stanley hears of it be will
kill me or leave me-. She then run
upstairs. Mrs. Ellis let Peacock in
and his sister consented to soc him
after he had waited about an hour.
Fannie, on account of the discovery by
her brother. told witness that she,
Mrs. Ellis, would be sorry for this
That this was the beginning of tho end.
Fannie left that Sunday evening.
Tho switch found in the Brandy line
was identified by Mrs. Ellis as one
worn by Fannie.
Mrs. Hetty Beidleman of No. 1901
Thompson street, Philauelph,a, was
the second witness. She entered the
court room veiled, and when put upor
the stand, appeared nervous and it wa.
feared that she would faint. Matror
Wogan was called in and famed, tb,
witness while she was giving her testi
mony. She was shown small tintyps
on which were the portraits of foui
young women, nv Attorney Genera
Whitu. and readily pointed out th,
picture of the dead woman. Mrs
Biedleman stated that Mrs. Tucbtor
first came to her house on Sundu,
night, October llth, between 10, 81
and II O'Clock, after she, the witness
had retired. Mrs. Tuchton gave heI
pane as Maud Pierce. She was alon,
and, after asking if Mrs. Beidlemar
was a midwife, and receiving al
aihrmatiye reply, Immediately engaged
board. She was admitted and re
manned there that night in room b,
herself The next morning she seemed
very nervous and Mrs. Beidlemal
asked what was the matter and IN
formed her that IL detectives made in
curry she would have to tell them tba
she, Mrs Tuchton, was there. Mrs
n Iuchton made no reply. but frequentl,
after that time remarked that sh
wished she was dead. She gave birtl
to child on January 1lth. Stanle,
Tuchtou yisited, her regularly from th