Evening journal., 1897-03-06
IT MUST Be SUICIDE.
Mystery Of Fannie Tuchtons
Death Still Unsolved.
STORIES TOLD AT THE INQUEST

ATTORNEY = GENERAL WHITE
CLOSELY QUESTIONED EVERY
WITNESS, But DID NOT ELICIT A
CLUE TO SUPPORT THE MURDER
THEORY.
The Municipal Court room was
crowded last night with those directly
interested in the mysterious death Of
Mrs Stanley Tuchton, whose body was
found in the Brandywine mill-race. At
the hearing last night nothing new was
developed. save that it was positively
stated that Mrs Tuchton had. on sew
eral occasions, made threats of suicide.
This point was the only one which
tended TO clear the mystery.
The hearing was private, and it was
nearly midnight before the last witness
was examined. The inquest was con-
Quoted by Attorney-General White.
MRS. ELLIS STATEMENT.
Mrs Mary Ellis, Of No. 220 North
Twelfth street, was first examined. Mrs.
Ellis is the woman with whom Mrs
Tuchton first lived with after her de-
parture from Wilmington
Mr.. White-'Mrs Ellis, how long
have you lived in Philadelphia" "All
my life"
Did you know Mrs. Tuchton?" mo.
I knew her as Maud Pearce."
rs that her picture?' at the same
time handing her tin-type portrait Of
the dead woman. yes, sir"
hn
hero "On July G."
Where did you see her?" I'm my
parlor"
Was anyone with her?" yes. a
gentleman"
Would ycu know him if you saw
him again?" YES, sir"
What did they want, and how came
they to your house?". They wanted
TO engage rooms, and the gentleman
said he was a travelling agent and could
not be with his wife only once a week. "
After he left your house where did
he go?" He said he was going to
Trenton"
when did ne first return after leav-
ing his wife at your house?" He called
one Sunday night, and then after that
twice a week l asked him his name,
and he said it was Samuel Taylor"
Did you ask them il they were mar
ried?" Both of them said they were
and he showed me q certificate which
contained the names Of Samuel Taylor
and Maude Pearce."
The witness was asked if she could
recognize the certificate. and said she
could 1t was produced and witness
said that it was the one she saw.
Mr. White continued: Mrs. Ellis
what were Mrs. Tuchton's actions in
your house?" "She seemed pleasant a
times One day she came TO me anC
asked me if / would perform an opera
tion, saying that she was in delicate
condition.
What did you say in answer to hei
request?" Il refused, saying it would
be dangerous and it would kill her.
How did Mr. Tuchton treat Mrs
Tuchton in your presence?' Very
we'll"
did Mr. Tuchton say anything about
performing an operation No, sir
did you ever hear him say anything
regarding the child?' YES. On one
occasion he said he wanted to get rio
Of the d. thing"
did he say anything at any ctnel
time to you about the child?" II told
me if / would perform the operation h
would give me $500. and / heard hin
say he would give any sum TO have tn
kid killed"
did both seem anxious to get rid o
the child?" "Yes, sir
when did Mrs. Tuchton leave you
house?" "On October H."
"Why did she leave your house?' 'Sh
left because I would not perform tn
operation"
, Mrs. Ellis then told of the visit o
( Frederick Peacock, brother of the un
fortunate woman. and how Mrs Tuch
/ ton fell on her knees and implOred Mr.!
Ellis not to allow her brother in tn
house, saying: For Gods sake, don
let him in. Stanley would leave or XII
me-" After that Mrs. Tuchton went
her room. In the meantime Mrs. ELI
10 opened the front door and allowed M
Peacock to enter. He took a seat in tn
r. parlor. and she went upstairs and ash
I ed Mrs. Tuchton to come down and sc
. her brother. Mrs. Tuchton came dOwI
stairs and talked with her brothe
What pagsed between them she doe
r not know. After he left Mrs. Tuchto
/ said: Mrs Ellis you viii be sorry f
this some day" She left Mrs. Eli
home on Sunday evening, and w
weeks after her departure Mr.. ana MI
Tuchton returned and begged Mrs. Ell
r not 10 say anything to the elder NJ
n Tuchton.
Would you know Mr.. Tuchton if yI
saw him?" asked the attorney-gener'
. eyes, sir
Stanley Tuchton was brought IN u
court room and Mrs. Ellis identin'
him
o. MRS. BEIDLEMAN's STORY.
4. AS Mrs. Beidleman was ushered /
all eyes were turned upon her. AS 81
took the stand Mrs. Beidleman iainte
Water was brought and she soon 7
vived.
Did you know Mrs. Fannie Tue
TONI" 81 did
Would you know her picture II "
saw it?" "Yes, sir"
when did you first see herr "On
Sunday night"
DO you know what date?" 1T W
October IL,
"Was anyone with her?' Il 90 I
know 1t was stormy"
- What time was it?' 1T must ha
l,ocr about II ofoIoolr -