Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-01-27

viau, the druggist, while Mr.. Grondin
is son of MIR. and Mrs. George A.
Grondin of Oak street. Both were
born in this city.
John II. Grondin attended the pub
lie schools in this city and for many
years was employed in the former
Sawyer Publishing Co. Later ne
studied medicine and then attended
an embalming school in New York,
where he received his degree. He pass
ed the examinations and after his
marriage to Zalia Daviau went to
owiston, where the family resided.
Ffaa children were born, both of
whom are now In this city with Mr..
and Mrs Crqndin.
owing to the poor health of Mrs.
Grondln it vas finally decided to go
to California and about one year ago
the family moved to Los Angeles
from Portland, where they had been
living. Letters and cards were regu-
iarly received by both families in this
city and it was understood that they
were doing well and We're happy. The
news of her sudden death in October
was a great surprise and shock to
the relatives and many friends here,
as the bride was one of the most
prominent young ladies in this city
The only details in the telegram re-
eeived by Mr.. DaViau at that time
was the statement that his daughter
had committed suicide.
Investigation Started.
Letters followed from the authori-
ties in Los Angeles and Investigations
were Immediately made at the sug-
gestion of Mr.. Daviau. Although but
very little has been printed. even in
the California papers, it is understood
that the officers were at work quietly.
It is also understood that Grondin
was kept under surveillance by the
police while the investigation was be-
ing conducted.
AT the request of Mr.. Daviau the
body OF Mrs. Grondin was exhumed
and was in excellent state of preserva-
tion. The following story was printed
in a Los Angeles paper of Dec. 70
1919:
"Dr. L. v. Stuckey today is conducting
a minute examination of the oody OF MIS-
Zelia Grondin, who is supposed to have
committed suicide by asphyxation at the
home of her husband, John Fl. Grondin'
on Eightieth street several weeks ago,
for any traces of chemical poisoning.
THE body was exhumed at Calvary
cemetery today In the presence of Cor
oner Hartwell, Deputy District Attorney
Michael F. Shannon and Detective
Bright.
"The examination is being made at the
request of the district attorneys office.
Following the verdict of the coroners
Jury that Mrs Grondin's death was due
to 'asphyxiation with suicidal intent, de-
velopments following rapidly upon one
another have led the attorneys office to
make further investigation.
.'Today's examination of the various
organs of the body is being made to con-
firm the belief that Mrs. Grondin did not
meet death by asphyxiation.
ION the demand of relatives of Mrs.
Grondin living In the East several start
ling facts have developed in the case.
"a letter which was supposed to have
been written by Mrs. Grondin. confessing
her infideIity to her husband, which was
discovered by Grondin himself, has been
pronounced a forgery by Milton Carlson.
a handwriting expert. The letter Carl
son says after a careful examination of
other letters written by Mrs Gropdin,
is a clever copy.
''Dr Stuckey will make report of his
examination to Deputy District Attorney
Shannon.
Neither Mr.. Daviau, who caused the
investigation to be made. nor Mr.. Gron-
din, father of the young man. would
make statements other than the facts
that kilograms had been received Will
liam R. Pattangall is conducting the
case for Mr.. Daviau in this city. Dennis
e. Bowman, former superintendent OF
schools in this city, has carried on an in
vestigation in Los Angeles at the request
of those interested here.
Representative Kelleher knew the Da-
viau girl well before her marriage and
he has joined forces with her father in
ferretng out the truth in the mysterious
case.