The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-26
ghe auhs 9aiy Eagles grdaY Hornima Wouenber Is.

The clock on the mantle licked and her
fingers nervously tapped on the table.
"Well, what do you gentlemen wish to
known? she quietly asked. Il am on the
witness stand for you
At question she began talking. She
had evidently mapped out the language
she wished to use. Words rolled from
her lips so rapidly that stenographer
could hardly have taken them down.
"My heart is broken because of the sem
sation my husbands death has created, -
said she. 81 do not know how to talk
about 1t. 1t all seems as a dream. He
was my husband, his wife. We under
stood each other. Ny affection for him
was greater than I can express. He was
kind and gentle, noble and generous. We
had lived together as man and wife for
months. We met on an ocean steamer
and you might call il love at first sight.
Mr.. Ketcham was then married. but
he followed me about and gave me to un-
derstand that in time there would be no
barrier between US. He celebrated the
day of divorce in joyous song and want
ed me that day to marry him. 1 cannot
explain why 1 didn't yield to his per-
suasions-but 1 didn't Yet We lived
along as common law man and wife un-
til the 23rd Of September last, when he
insisted that we go to Milwaukee and be
legally welded. There is absolutely no
question about the marriage. The stor-
les that 1 used the butler to impersonate
him are so preposterously absurd that
decline to notice them. unless compelled
by the courts. A few days later he drew
up his will. 1 had long before known
that such were mis- intentions.
II solicit the very strictest investiga-
ton. Why, 1 was the first person 10
suggest that the contents of his stomach
be chemically examined. 1 lost nus
band In Kansas, and because ne left
some money, his relatives, greedy for
his wealth, wished to prove that 1 had
poisoned him. And this cost me weeks
in Jail and cruel criticism from all
over the country. 1 knew when Mr..
Ketcham passed away without its being
generally known that we had been mar
ried something would be said and I
would be regarded with suspicion. /
would not permit the undertaken to en-
balm his body, for I know that certain
chemicals are used in such processes, and
that his body would go to his people in
Toledo. l took no chances. I asked no
advice. I simply acted because I had
been schooled in experience"
Then Mrs. Ketchan produced the bot
tie from which her husband had been
taking doses during the day Of his death.
This may or may not be poisonous"
said she, holding it up. II am not tox-
lcologist and cannot say. / simply fol-
lowed the Doctors directions. Long be-
fore ne took the first dose I could see
that he was sinking. Precipitation stood
put on his forehead. his feet and his
hands were cold, his eyesight had failed
him and his tongue refused to speak.
Hours before the end came the physi-
clans informed me that his death was
question Of but few hours. This entire
-alk is result Of unfortunate events in 1
Kansas.
''Mr. George Ketcham assured me that
le would be on my side in the matter of
he will, and that need TO fear nothing. |
nc duNiScu iIc " say HOSliiHS " lAc 4
and assured me of his en-
ire confidence. He knows as we'll as l |
Know that 1 suggested the autopsy, and !
le knows that allowed the remains to |
70 to Toledo after an appeal from Mr.. |
<etcham's mother.
81 am sure that Attorney Purcell is act |
ng without the consent of Mr.. George |
<etcham But do what he nav he can
lot frighten me-
Mrs. Ketcham asked the newspaper
nen 20 treat her more leniently than
hey had done-"for 1 am a very much
bused Woman," she declared.