Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-02-08
WOMAN SUFFERED
FROM DELUSION

Mrs. Chases unhappy life and
strange death were due to mental
trouble of over two years standing.
Since the birth of a child, which did
not live long, physical complications
had ensued that robbed her of health
and strength and made her a prey to
delusions
Mr. Chase, who was prospecting as a
teacher of music and organist of a
fashinable congregation, did all he
could to overcome her groundless fears.
They apparently took the fixed belief
that the Chases were about to lose
their home and that she would have to
assist as breadwinner
She had been schooled in music and
in other branches and If the necessity
arose could easily have done well as q
teacher.
Years ago Mrs. Chase, when Miss
Susie Voight, had taught for while
at the state normal school. where she
had received her educational train
ing.
Under the advice of physicians every
thing was done to cheer the woman
and she was asked to consent to take
trip. She refused with maternal re-
luctance, as she wanted to be near
her children. Mr. Chase had engaged
maid principally for the purpose of
seeing that Mrs. Chase was never alone
for a moment and to relieve her of any
worries that the care of the two chill
dren and the household might entail.
Notwithstanding all this vigilance
and loving care Mrs. Chase secretly
evolved the plans that ended in her
undoing.
The fatal Saturday afternoon of two
weeks ago she took the children out
walking in Westlake park. The loyal
maid went with them, She noticed that
her mistress was depressed and felt
misgivings. When Mrs. Chases alb
sence was discovered she called atten-
ton to that fact. but as Mr.. Chase was
absent for few hours she was help
less.
Between and o'clock the little
family party returned home, fatigued
and hungry. Mrs Chase remarked to
the maid and the children that she
thought she would go toward the car to
meet Mr. Chase who was expected
home most any moment. She said she
would walk over toward the Seventh
street car. Her eyes gliStened strangely
as she kissed her darlings good-by.
The mother put on her light jacket
over a walking gown and. bareheaded,
left the house, never to return.
The occupants thought nothing spe-
cially strange in the action until Mr..
Chase returned home alone. They
asked nllll IL ne Htiu IlCl Ills WIZ anu
he said that he had not. Believing
that she had stopped at some neigh
boris the members of the household
went out to look for the woman.
After a thorough search by parties
| for several hours later Detectives
Jones and Mcnamara were detailed
from the central police station.
Since then the machinery of the law
has been in motion, different details of
sleuths being assigned.
For a time the officers discouraged
the theory advanced that Mrs. Chase
suddenly became insane after leaving
the house and that she went to West
lake park and probably drowned her.
self, as they insisted that she had not
been seen in the neighborhood of the
lake.
Mrs. Chase was without funds, but
so far as Is known had two valuable
diamond rings and other jewelry with
her. These facts and an accurate de-
scription were freely scattered.
For days the newspapers printed one
theory after another, none of which led
nearer to the missing woman, when
strangely enough a letter written by
the distracted woman was made public.
1t supported the theory of the detec-
| tives that the woman was still alive and
in some near by town trying to get
work
The fascination or the complex case
brought some out-of-town searchers
to whom the reward and the allure
ments of the Sherlock Holmes calling
offered ample recompense.
Then came a new phase.
Mrs. Chase had written letters, which
started more varied theorizing, to Miss
f. II. Way, preceptress at the state
normal school and formerly principal
of the Southwest institute. The letter
was postmarked Saturday at l O'Clock
in the morning.
In the letter Mrs. Chase stated she
was tired of being a burden to her hus-
band and had decided to leave him.
There was no suggestion Of contem-