The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-20
INQUIRY BEING MADE
INTO CHAPIN'S PAST.
Former Editor Says He Wants
to "Die Like a Man,
at Sing Sing.
HE Is NOW BELIEVED SANE
Prosecutor Magee Finds Slayer
Cashed Several Checks Day
Before Tragedy.

Charles Z. Cha pin. who shot and killed
his wife last Monday while she lay asleep
in their apartment. pleaded not guilty
to her murder yesterday. and few min
utes later announced that he did not in
tend to defend the charge against him,
but desired to die like a man" in the
electric chair at Sing Sing.
He was called to plead before Judge
Wadhams in the Cour. of General Ses-
sions. and was represented by Joseph NJ
Heating, who has acten p: MS counsel
ever since he surrendered last Tuesday
Mr.. Heating entered the plea of not
guilty. and the usual ten days time In
, which to withdraw or change 1t was
wanted. So far there has been no re-
quest for the appointment OF commits
sion to determine Chapin's sanity.
Chapins declaration that he wanted
, to die In Sing Sing was made to Assist.
ant District Attorney Magee, who has
| charge of the prosecution. Mr.. Maget
said yesterday he had considered the
Evening World editor insane the first
| few times he talked with him, but has
become convinced since then that Chapir
Is sane.
| Asks Creditors to Help.
Mr.. Magee said II will help an investi.
CATION into Chapin's life and habits II
the creditors who Chaplin alleges wert
bounding him will come forward ant
make known the amount and nature Of
their claims. Chaplin has insisted thai
these claims represented a vast indebted
ness. but SO far Mr.. Magee has been able
to turn up only two unpaid hotel bill.
and three dishonored checks.
J At the Cumberland Hotel, where HI
killed his wife. Chaplin owes $S60.10 foi
board. and he still owes a bill OF $4,000
at the Plaza, where he lived until foul
years ago.
Three unpaid checks turned up yester
day. One. for 500. Chaplin cashed las
Saturday at the cigar stand in the foye,
OF the World Building. The next morn
| ing he cashed another for SIS at tn,
desk of the Hotel Cumberland. Monday
just after he killed his wife. he cashet
another for $40 at the hotel desk. II,
had only Sc when he gave himself up tn,
next day.
| Mr.. Magee Is wondering what ChapiI
did with all the money that he received
on the checks II. as he says, he spen
the twenty-four hours after killing hi
wife wandering around in parks Tn,
| dHUuHl VI iuOUey WHICH lie Hht
on him when he surrendered has con
WINGED Mr.. Magee that the story abou
| spending a day and night in the park!
will bear careful scrutiny
| Police Have Several Leads.
The police are now working on sew
eral leads in this connection and hav,
already interviewed two taxicab chat
| feurs and three women.
A Park Row bubble blew up yesterda,
when Mr.. Magee disclosed that Chaplin
| salary for the last twenty years hat
never been higher than $3.50 week
On this he lived in a $1,000 a year suit
| at the Plaza. kept an automobile and
yacht and entertained with considerab l
| display at his hotel and high price,
restaurants.
He has explained that while he live,
at this pace he was borrowing money OF
the representation of his being the hei
Of the late Russell Sage, who was hi
grand uncle. f. e. Rand, who used I
be Sage's secretary. told Mr.. Magee tina
Sage encouraged Chaplin in his large ex
pectations for number Of years.
search of Chapin's apartment wee
terday brought to light more than Aft
photographs OF him made by WorL
photographer. The pictures vary bu
little. most OF them disclosing the sub
5ect in terse editorial attitudes.