Connecticut western news., 1897-02-25
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
Tragedy at Falls Village Last Saturday
 Morning.
Charles F. Mead Murders Mrs Hattie
 Chapin eud theu Commits Suicide


 Chapin and then Commits Suicide.
 The double crime of murder and sui cide committed at Falls Village late last Friday night or early Saturday morning plunged two happy homes into grief and desolation and brought sadness to the entire community. The terrible tragedy has been the chief topic of con- versatiou in this whole region since that fatal night, and has occupied columns of space in newspapers far and near. The lamentable affair has some mysteri- ous features, but sympathy for the afflicted families and relatives should prevent newspapers from publishing sensational reports which only add weight to the burden of sorrow and grief which is almost overwhelming even when extenuating circumstances are considered. The NEWS has taken es- pecial care to ascertain the facts in the case and publish them without sensa- tional adornment as follows:
 About 73O o'clock last Saturday morning as William Hart was near the railroad station at Falls Village he met little Joseph, the 9-yesr.old son of Wal ter Fl. Chapin, who was very much ex- cited and came running and sobbiug to Mir Hart. Little Joe exclaimed, "Some- thing terrible happened at our house last night; papa has killed mama and himself"
 Mir Hart immediately called Station Agent George Adams and the two i'm mediately accompanied little Joe to Mir Chapins house, which is situated only few rods south of the station and al- most immediately opposite the cream cry. Upon trying to enter the door leading from the hall to the dining room they found that some obstacle behind the door impeded the way. Pushing the door open they discovered the body of Mrs Chapin lying upon the floor and resting against the door in a half sitting position Near the body was a pool of blood. On the same side of the room but near the opposite corner lay the body of man stretched at full length upon his back in pool of blood with his head resting on the door sill leading into the sitting room. On the floor be- tween the two bodies lay 3S calibre double action revolver with three of it's Eve chambers empty. A glance reveal ed the fact that the mans body was the body of CharlesF Mead instead of Walter H Chapin. Dr Francis s. Skiff and Deputy Sheriff Reed were immediately summoned, and Coroner Richard T Hig- gins of Winsted was notified by tele- phone.
 It appears that little Joe slept up stairs with his mother and on waking up about 7.30 o'clock that morning he discovered that he was alone. He dress ed himself and came down stairs, but on opening the door little way into the dining room the terrible scene of the tragedy met his gaze. In his fright he supposed that both his father and mother had been murdered. He was terror stricken, but he displayed won- derful presence of mind for he unlocked the outside door, aud after passing out. he locked the door behind him and put the key in his pocket before starting out to give the alarm.
 At this point it is proper to state that Walter H. Chapin is the postmaster at Falls Village, but several months ago took charge of the fish hatchery at Sheffield, Mass. owned by Henry Bishop, of Bridgeport. MT Chapin spends most of his time at the hatchery, but is ire quently called away on business. It has been his custom to visit his home in Falls Village two or three times each week, and to arrive there at any time of day or night. When arriving at night, and after knocking at the door, he sl- ways gave signal, low whistle, be fore Mrs Chapin would unlock the door and admit him, This signal was safe guard to prevent tramps or burglars gaining admission. Since Mir Chapin has been employed at the hatchery Mrs Chapin has taken charge of the post office at Falls Village. The post office building is small detached structure in the centre of the village and is not a safe place in which to leave money l over night, consequently Mrs Chapin always carried the post office money to her home every night. She kept a re. volver in the post office during the day and carried it home at night. Last Fri day night she closed the office about s o'clock and her little son Joe accom-. panied her home. Joe says that he and his mother slept toge ther in the second story of the house. and that they locked the bedroom door before retiring at 30 o'clock. The railroad runs very near the house, and Joe is so accustom. ed to noises in the night that he pays no attention to them. When he awoke on Saturday morning, he noticed that | his mother was not in the room. He dressed himself and went down stairs, made the discovery and gave the alarm as previously stated.
 Coroner Higgins arrived at Falls Vil- lage about II 20 a. m. and accompanied by Medical Examiner Skiff proceeded at once to the Chapin residence. A nasty examination of the bodies and premises seemed to indicate that Mrs Chspin did the shooting, and that theory soon spread far and near and found its way into many newspapers. But 6 thorough examination and inquest held in the afternoon completely dispelled that theory. The position of the bodie: and the wounds, also certain circumstan,