The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-18
A WOMAN WITH A PAST.
How Mrs. WaIkup Was Acquitted of
KILLING Her First Husband.

Killing Her First Husband.
EMPORIA, Kan, Nov. 1.-THE death in
Chicago of John B. Ketcham shortly after
marrying Mabel Estelle Wallace, the widow
of John r. Walkup, the man for whose
murder she was tried here twelve years ago,
recalls the sensational ending of the case in
which Mrs. Walkups powerful testimony
secured an acquittal just as everything
seemed to be going against her. The prose-
cution claimed that Mrs. Walkup had pur-
chased arsenic while en- route to Emporia
on her wedding trip, and that she purchased
quantities of the poison in Emporia. The
sentiment of the town was for conviction.
The defense did not deny that Walkup was
poisoned with arsenic, but said he took an
overdose while taking the poison for medi-
cine The climax of the case was reached
when Mrs Walkup was placed on the stand
She was very beautiful and well schooled,
and before she finished giving testimony the
lawyers, jurymen and judge wept and the
stenographer's eyes were blinded so that ne
could not see to write. The girl who mad
been befriended only by one man had cap
tured the hearts of all who were not di-
swear that she was innocent of the heinous
crime laid at her door. A verdict OF ac-
Quittal was returned.
Albert Phenis. who reported the trial, has
made the following statement: During
the Mardi Gras festivities of 1882 John X.
Walkup then mayor of the city of En-
years of age went to New Orleans and
net Minnie Wallace a. the home OF her
mother. who kept a boarding no. house on on
made violent love. He told of his wealth
and his position in his community ana II
was finally arranged that Mrs. Wallace
and her daughter should make a trip to
Emporia, and if conditions were satistac-
tory the marriage should take place.
When the a6owsd party ytbe arrysd S home at and In
driving over town pointed out a number
OF the principal business blocks as his.
With those evidences of apparent wealth
both girl and mother were quickly cap
tivated and an early marriage followed:
The deception pracuced on the young glrl
marriage. Mrs. Walkup did not conceal her
disappointment. A few months after mar
riage Walkup was taken violently Ill. his
physicians pronounced 1t a case of arsenical
poisoning and applied remedies which start
ed him on the road to recovery. To the
physicians surprise, his patient suddenly
took a turn for the worse, and was dead
before aid could be given him. 1t came
out then that Mrs. Walkup had been pur-
chasing large quantities of arsenic and
strychnine. An autopsy of the man dis
closed arsenic in every portion OF his Sys.
tenn, sufficient to have caused the death OF
twenty men,. it was declared. 1t was shown
that Mrs. Walkup had sole charge of the
medicines which were left for Walkup, ana
she was charged with substituting poison
for the potionS LETT by the physician. Ihe
excuses and explanations Mrs Walkup
made for her purchases of arsenic were re-
garded by many as Unsatisfactory, anu
there was a widespread belief that she had
tired of her bargain, had failed to secure
the wealth she had expected, and had de-
termined to rid herself of the old man and
get whatever widows portion there might
be coming to her out of his estate. Sentl-
ment in the community was sharply divided
for and against the woman, and even some
who believed her guilty declared that they
thought she was justified in killing the
man who had deceived her and who could
have no attractions for a young girl outside
of the luxuries which money would procure.
On the part of the defense testimony was
introduced to show that Walkup had been
in the habit of taking arsenic as tonic,
and the contention was made that ne was
a victim of cumulative and self-inficted
poison. After a two weeks trial the case
was given to the jury. For two days they
dellberated over it, and finally returned a
verdict of not guilty. 1t was said that on
the first ballot nine were for conviction and
three for acquittal, and that those for ac-
uuittal finally wen the others over"
Shortly ~srfseF@st& trsal Mrs. Walkup left
Enporia and very little has been heard
of her. The three children of Mr.
Walkup live in Emporia: They are
Mrs John Martin, wife of the son Of ex-
United States Senator Martin; Mrs Harry
Hood, whose husband is a son of Major
Hood and O very wealthy and prominent
stockman and w. r. Walkup farmer.