The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-27
Demented Indiana Millionaire Who
Was Found I'm a French SanatOrium
After q Long Search.
TO BE BROUGHT TO LAFAYETTE
IN ORDER THAT AFFAIRS OF THE
ESTATE MAY BE SETTLED.
Talk with Consul General Gowdy-
Young Chase Pronounced Insane
by Two Physicians.

LAFAYETTE, Ind, March 26.-After a
determined and ceaseless struggle in the
courts for the past six years Frederick
s. Chase, of this city, seems about to be
victorious in the famous fight for the pos
session of his son, Moses Fowler Chase, the
demented young millionaire, now definitely
located in a lunatic asylum in a suburb
Of Paris. According to information re-
ceived here to-day from Samuel p. Baird,
of this city, who is now in France, where
he has been for months trying to locate
young Chase, it is the inten ion of the au-
thorities to bring the young man to La
fayette secretly and settle forever the dis
position of the vast estate that has attained
a worldwide reputation as the subject of
one of the most sensational court cases in
the history of the middle West.
To-day at Paris Consul General Gowdy
was appointed the legal guardian in France
for the discovery of the whereabouts of
the young man. He was sent by Mr..
Chase. of this city, to France, and when
at last he found the son in a sanatorium,
kept there by his aunt Mrs. Charles H.
Duhme, of Cincinnati, he sought the aid of
Consul General Gowdy The latter re-
tons, and the secretary of state, after con-
sulting with Addison c. Chase. of In
dianapolis, attorney for F. s. Chase, ap-
pointed Mr.. Gowdy guardian. The case
now becomes an international affair. and
steps will be taken at once looking to the
removal of Chase from the custody of his
aunt and his return to the United States
Upon his return here two conflicting court
appointments must be harmonized, as Mrs.
fv,ta
by the Ohio court some years ago, while
just a week ago the Benton county court
of this State named Frederick s. Chase
the boys father, as guardian.
Sympathy is entirely with the father in
Lafayette, and the action of the Duhmes
has been looked upon as nothing less than
plan to get possession of the boys wealth
is regarded an equitable one, and Fred
erick S. Chase's claims to his son are con-
sidered to be unquestionably proper. For
three years the father did not know where
the son was being kept, although 1t was
known that Mrs. Ophelia Fowler Duhme
his aunt, had the boy in her possession.
Just when he was taken to France is not
Duhmes went into court at Cincinnati and,
after establishing the boys residence there
had the lad declared to be of entirely sound
mind. 1T Is known that at this time a will
was drawn up by young Chase bequeath-
ing the preponderance Of his estate to the
Duhmes. The lawyers for Frederick s..
-
boy was kidnapped by the Duhmes at the
time he was first taken from his father at
Detroit while being brought home from a
sanatorium for the insane by his parent.
Over a year ago detectives discovered that
young Chase was somewhere in France
but nothing could be done with the French
authorities until Mr.. Baird found the lad
and interested Consul General Gowdy in
the case.
When Frederick s. Chase was appointed
guardian by the Benton county Circuit
Court the last preliminary was taken be-
fore asking the 'Duhmes to produce the
boy in court. Then the United States Dis
trict Court at Indianapolis ordered Charles
H. Duhme and wife to appear in court and
give reason. If any, why they are shield
ing the ward of Fred S. Chase from the
law the final step was taken In preparing
for the French side of the case The
Duhmes also will be asked in court to pre-
sent an inventory and appraisement, along
they are holding that belongs to the young
millionaire. 1t is said by Chase's attorneys
that it was the intention Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Duhme to retain possession of the boy
and at his death produce will In court
and bring experts to testify that 1t was
drawn up by the boy while of sane mind.
Nearly thirty years ago the Fowler fam
and his wife separated. The millionaire
merchant went to live by himself, as did
his wife, Eliza Fowler. who died a year
ago. The children branched off. the daugh-
with her mother, while the other daughter
Annis Fowler Qater Mrs. Chase, sided
with her father. The son, James NJ. Fow-
Ter, remained neutral When the daughter
family was further disrupted, and ever
since the two factions have remained d.
vided by the bitter feeling existing Moses
F9wier, when tan he died fifteen tee years ago
grandson. and II still remains In the name
of Moses Fowler Chase.