Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-12-25
Begun in the Mystery Of
Swampscott Woman.
Subpoena Issued for Husband
Of Mrs. Jennie Chase
Who Died at Lynn, Sept. Is, Under
Suspicious Circumstances.

l
| the cause of the death of Mrs. Jennie
Phillips Chase, who died at her Swamp
| scott home Sept. Is, was opened before
| Judge Berry Saturday and continued tc
Tuesday. District Attorney W. Scott
| Peters had charge and the only wit
ness was Medical Examiner Pinkham
The ealing of the inquest was a grea,
surprise TO the officials in this city. The
district attorney moved in secrecy and
not until Saturday morning was Judge
Berry notified that an official inquiry
was desired.
Arrangements were hurriedly made
and Chief Harris Of SWampscott, armed
with Il subpoena for DR.. Chase, hus-
band of the dead woman, went to Bos-
ton. He returned shortly after noon
having been unable to locate the ply
stefan and for that reason the inquiry
was continued until next week, when
it is expected the doctor will be a wit
ness.
The death of Mrs. Chase has been
shrouded i'll mystery. She was a mem
Der of the wealthy Phillips family, and
| apparently i'll good health and spirits
on the day before she was found I'M
N'ii'2Niooc anu Wy Ill lHc hllCllCu Vi
her homo, where she was found by Dr.
Chase.
The gas had been turned on and the
contents of Il bottle marked poison
had disappeared. In the room were
found dead pet dog and parrot A
note was found saying: Il do this of my
own free will and nobody is to blame
Medical Examiner Pinkham, the fam
lily physician, was called and took
charge OF the case. Mrs. Chase died af-
ter two days and the report of her
death gave gas poisoning as the cause
Stories of d sensational character were
circulated and the police began an in
vestigation.
The body Of Mrs. Chase was cxhumed
and an autopsy performed which con.
frmcd the cause of death as given il tn,
original certificate. Still the police con-
tinucd to look into the case.
DR.. Chase had 1t son. DcForcst Chase
who was 20 years old when the doctor
married again. The second Mrs. Chase
legally adopted the son and in her will
left him considerable property Undei
the will of her mother she was to have
the use and income of Il sum variously
estimated at from $4,000 to 81, OOC 900 dur
ing her life. and at her death it was to
revert to her brothers.
The will mas been presented for pro-
bate and contest is now on. Il hearing
having been set for Tuesday at Salem
before Judge Harmon. Last week DeFor-
est Chase died at his fathers home ii!
Boston.
the case, and while very rcticcnt as to
the proceedings now under way, is un-
derstood to believe a most thorough in
veStigation will be held.
Nearly a score of witnesses have been
subpoenCd to appear a. the inquest, and
the fact that the district attorney will
appear in person leads to the belief that
he considers the case Il very important
one.
Among the witnesses to be called arc
former servants. dressnakers who were
in the confidence of the dead woman,
her brothers David and Charles and
ncighbors to whom it is said Mrs. Chase
told stories in regard to her life. Some
of these witnesses will testify, it is
claimed, that she expressed herself as
being afraid her life would be taken
The inquest today was held behind
closed doors and none of the officials
present would talk about the case Dr.
Pinkham was the only witness and he
was subjected to a two hours examina-
ton by the district attorney
The medical examiner stated that he
had been called to the house by Dr.
Chase and treated Mrs. Chase until she
died. He believed the case was one of
suicide and this belief, he saws, was con-
firmed by the autopsy. The district attor-
ncy asked why it had not been made
public Immediately after death, that the
woman had committed suicide, and the
medical examiner replied that he could
see no benefit to come from this and had
cndcavorcd to save the feelings of the
family.
He said he found nothing suspicious
about the house and in answer to all the
questions maintained that he had taken
the right course.