The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-28
with bank account of several Thousand
dollars ar her disn1Sal

with bank account OF several thousand
dollars at her disposal.
One year later on Aug. 90, 1885, EN-
poria was startled by the sudden death
of James Walkup, and it was learned
that ne had left his entire estate to mis-
young wife. Ugly stories were told, first
in whisper and then aloud. A post-mor-
tenn examination showed there was a
| quantity of arsenic in the dead mans
stomach, and it was found that his wife
had purchased quantity of arsenic only
the day before. The young girl was
placed on trial charged with murder
She was defended by Judge Houston o.
New Orleans, VINO, it is said, was infac-
tuated with her before her marriage. II
was proved that Mr.. Walkup had been
long addicted to the use Of arsenic and
accordingly the young widow was exon
Grated and dis harged. But it was a
cause cele5re in Kansas and the case
! was followed with interest all over the
| United States
After her acquittal. Mrs. Walkup. who
resumed her maiden name of Wallace, re
turned to her mothers boarding house in
New Orleans 1t is said shs attempted
to go on the stage, but was unsuccessful.
Before her marriage her name had been
mentioned with Ex-Governor William
| Pitt Kellogg, and ii was he who took her
toWasnington, ID. c. Later, accompan-
| led by her mother, she travelled exten-
| sively in Europe, and at the conclusion
| of n reOjurney came to Chicago. It was
| said that her fortune was nearly deple-
| ted, but she purchased the house IN In
| diana avenue and settled down 10 live
alone. II was then that the woman with
past" met the man destined to have a
| future" Thus run the lives of Mr.. Ket-
cham and Mrs. Wallace previous to their
coming together in Chicago.
To make the melodrama Of ''The
Checked Career OF Mr.. Ketcham" COM
| plete 1t is necessary 10 go back few
years-three years perhaps. The second
Mrs. Ketcham, nee Poe, was then liv-
ing in handsome apartments at the Lex
ington, maintained by her husband, VINO
was living a speedy life about town.
When his acquaintance with Mrs Wal
lace ripened into friendship Mrs. Ketch-
am retained a lawyer, and then divorce
proceedings took place. 1t is said by
Mr.. Ketcham's friends that he ceased to
be accountable for his acts two years
ago. Excessive drink and high living
even then were exerting their influence
upon his health. When thesecond Mrs.
Ketcham was out of the way Mrs. Wal
lace was frequently seen with Mr.. Ket
cham at the Auditorium. always attrac-
ting much attention because OF her
beauty and her complica tons in Kansas
ten years before. Some people harbored
a suspicion that Mrs. Wallace had be-
come Ketchams wife, but the latter was
careful never 70 refer to her as such.
Gradually he lost his friends, and even
MS acquaintances decreased in numbers.
His conviviaI ways steadily grew on
him. Ten months ago he almost COM
pletely Disappeared and few people
knew what hal become OF him.
1t was at this time that Mr.. Ketcham
took up his residence at Mrs. Wallace's
home. He had become an almost help
less invalid form drink, and was atten-
ded constantly by doctors. He refuse TO
allow nurse to come into the room, and
was attended constantly by Mrs. Wal
lace. During eight months ne was
wheeled around the house in an invalid's
chair, but in September he grew better
and it was decided that a marriage
should take place in Milwaukee. Accor-
dinghy, on Sept. "a. wnen Ketcham was
50 waek he could hardly leave the house
he called a cab, and was taken 20 the
Northwestern depot, accompanied by
Mrs. Wallace and his faithful butler
Joe Keller. The registered at Milwau-
kee hotel under assumed names, and the
next morning Ketcham called a cab. and
went for a drive with Mrs. Wallace.
The drive led them TO the door of ". A
Hunsberger, "the marrying parson," and
they were united by Rev. /. V. Roberts.
Parson Hunsoerger being not at home sc
the time. The groom was so weak he
was obliged to remain seated during the
ceremony. and at its close he had TO as
sisted to his carriage. The same day
the two returned to Chicago.
II was not until a month after the we'd
ding ceremony that Ketcham wiIled
away his property. Attorney Dethlet
Hansen was called at his home one day
and was asked to draw up the necessary
papers. The next morning the docu-
ment was duly signed and witnessed.
and by II Mrs. Ketcham inherited her
husbands entire estate. The lawyer
claims Mr.. Ketc1am was in his right
mind AMI capable Of administering his
property the day the transaction took
place. Mrs. Ketcham took the will and
the marriage certificate and locked them
up in sefety deposit vault, where they
still remain.
Ia mic 10 .
Ketcnsm Suddenly died. His taking of
was a surprise TO his acquaintance. !
VINO had not known that ne was se-i-
ousiy III. Tneir surprise vas Increased /
when almost simultaneously with the /
announcement oS death came the formal
declaration from Mrs. Minnie Wallace |
WaIkup Ketcham that she was his law /
full wife. Members OF the family Of the 4
dead man in Toledo were hastily sum- /
moned. and they hurried 10 Chicago. /
The coroner hsi preceded them. and !
sul s1sSrssAIy o5 usygl alan sf=,s /
cause os Mr. Ketcazm's death. TIE
widow vas plunged in grief an tie 4
brothers were consumed with anger taac 4
a new wife had appeared OF the scene TO 4
c5mplicste their affiictien- The post 1
morren investigation revealed the cause /
Of deata 70 oe cirrhosis ot th= liver. 4
ca sossd By excessive use % alcohol Nrs
Ketcham suffered severiy under the
strain end her nrsrtaI paagsSere IL
creased by tae anirs-isy ct t5s broth=-s
and the revival OF the inch5elts q aer
past life When the brothers ATTEMPTED
- remove 5s- h-soand's remains 20
Toledo she passionaieiy begged saat De
De buried near CaicaSo. az Forest Hons
cemetery. She displayed he- marriage
certificate and pcovei ae- S8t7oriey n /
IL -. a