The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-12-28
Mr.. KETCHUM'S COIN
CONTEST FOB IT OPENS TODAY IN
COURT IN CHICAGO.

WIN Of the Late Bfbulous Citizen to Who's
| Notoriesy Was Added That of the cels-
brAted Minnie Wallace Wa:kup of Ena
| poria. IL to be the Subject of . Bitter
His Blood ReIations-Comp History
OF Two EventfuI Lives-Mrs. Ketchum's
Own Story.
Chicago, Dec. 27.-The legal sequel to a
peculiar case which for a time threaten
in sensational features will be enacted
! next Tuesday morning when Mrs Min
ME Wallace Walkup Ketcham, widow of
the late John B. Ketcham, will go btfore
| the probate court of Cook county to de-
mand her rights as sole executor OF her
husbands will. The plans are all laid for
a lively battle of the lawyers. Mrs, Ket-
cham will be represented by Dethlef c..
Hansen, VINO has associated A S. Trude
with him as counsel. The opposing
forces are drawn up and are IN fighting
trim. The heirs at law-they are Mrs.
Ketcham's mother, Mrs. Rashel A. Ket-
cham; his sister, Mrs. Mary E. Nearing;
and his two brothers, George H. and Val
entine II. Ketcmah, all Of Toledo, o.
That theywill not allow the estate which
l..
900 to S50o,000 to go to the pretty Creole
widow without struggle, goes without
saying. Their recourse wiz be 20 file a
bill in chancery or appeal to the circuit
court Their contest will probably be
based upon the claim that when john B.
Ketcham suddenly bequeathed his pro-
perty to his wife ne was not in a fit men,
tai condition to perform such an act. 1t
is barely possible that they will attempt
to show that when the marrige cere-
mony was performed in Milwaukee, Sept.
"a, Mr.. Keteham was not present at all.
but that his valet, Joe Keller, acted as
his proxy At all events it will be q
lively struggle.
SOCIAL DRAMA IN PLOT.
The strange story Of John B. Ketch-
ans downfall and death and the excft-
ing disclosures which attended it are
now six weeks old. 1t possessed all the
features which go 30 make up the typi
cal Adelphi melodrama. The lives Of
the hero and the heroine had been pun
ctured with divorce suits and events
which are not to be expected In conven-
tional life. Mrs. Ketcham, a handsome
Creole woman with Deep bewitchIng
Madonna eyes, had once been on trail &C
cused OF poisoning former husband,
but she had been acquitted by Kansas
court. Mr.. Ketcham had been twice mar
ried, one wife having died and second
divorced. He had been a club man in
Chicago, rich, prodigal and dashing. but
had later almost dropped form view. Al
though he still maintained expensive ap-
artments at the Auditorium Annex. he
died at the luxurious home OF her whom
the world knew as his friend, Mrs. Wal
lace. simultaneously with the sudden
cutting short OF his career this Mrs. Wal
lace came forward with the declarat ton
that she was his wife, and moreover she
had ample evidence to back up her as
sertions The family of the deceased
then interposed and ugly insinuations
were made. Thus was laid bare
lively plot of love. divorce. marriage, pro
digality and death, with a disputed will
involving a fortune to give the play
great spice.
JOHN B. KETCHAM'S CAREER.
John B. Ketcham first made his en-
trance into Chicago clubdom IN 1892. His
father had been the wealthiest man In
Toledo, O.,and upon his death bestowed
a legasy Of $500 900 upon his son. Mr..
Ketcham was first married 10 a daugh-
ter Of C. W. Granderof Toledo. but She
died about 10 years ago, and the young
widower became the husband of Miss
Nettie Poe OF the same city. Ketcham
was a banker and had many other bus-
ness interests. He lived in style at the
Boody house and was prominent figure
In Toledo society. In 1892, however, am
bition for a broader field prompted his
removal 10 Chicago, and he left Toledo. |
taking up his residence in this city at
the Lexington hotel. 1t was subsequent |
to this that shodows fell in the path OF |
his married life.
am speedily made himself well known |
among the clubs and the fashionable re- |
sorts. He was on the rolls of the Chi |
cago. Calumet, and Chicago Athletic |
clubs. He was a fancier OF fine horses |
and could boast that no one in the city /
owned finer turnouts than he. Shrewd I
and capable in business, he increased his |
already large fortune, notwithstanding |
that he was prodigal and Incorporate. |
II was some time after he removed to |
Chicago that Ketcham first met the fas- |
chatting widow Of ex-Mayor James R. |
Walkup OF Emporia. Kan. She had |
come to Chicago the same year that Ket-
sham made his first appearance. had pur
chased a fine residence a. 34H Indiana 1
avenue. and had settled down to live in |
luxury, taking her maiden name OF Wal
ace. The high spirited clubman quick
Y fell a victim to Mrs. Wallace's charms |
md the pair were frequently seen to-
yether. The attraction rapidly devei-
,psd into love. But then there was the
second Mrs. Ketcham living in luxury al
he Lexington MOTEL, whose presence ser
ousiy interterei with any new alliance.
Finally a divorce was arranged, and to
,btain the decree and rid himself % the
ncumbrance the husband settled a for
une OF 500, 900 upon the wife from whom
le would gladly be free.
Mrs. Ketcham divorced. the way for
he Chicago romance was cleared. Mr..
<etchamis attentions % Mrs. Wallace
we're renewed. His friends heard nothing
4 a marriage. but ne removed to her In
lana avenue home early in 1897 and vas
Iimcst lost TO his Chicago acquaintance,
lthough ne still retained his apart
nents al the Auditorium. II was known
.owever, that he had become a hopeless