Democratic Sentinel, Volume 21, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1897 — KETCHAM CASE MYSTERIOUS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KETCHAM CASE MYSTERIOUS.

Development* Look Bad for the Millionaire'* Alleged Widow. Several peculiar phases have developed in connection with the death of Millionaire John B. Ketc-ham in Chicago. The dead tnan since being divorced from hi* first wife was supposed to have remained single up to the time of bis death.. He wa» a victim of chronic alcoholism and hi* associate* knew him to be rapidly dedining. About a month ago he disappeared from the Auditorium hotel, wber* he had made his home, and k was announced that he was in the car* of friends. Afterward camo the announcement of hi* death at the residence of Mr*. Mabel WaUace-Walknp, who also claims the name Ketchara, the woman asserting that the dead broker married her in Milwaukee shortly before his death and

claiming that h* willed his entire e*to»* to her. The ease hs* been closely watched by the police and State’s Attorney. Ketelitm'i physician, it seems, had told hia patient if he persisted in drinking it w**W cause his death. The sick man utterly disregarded this injunction and th* officials are now woadering why he was not compelled to krav* liquor alone in view of the doctor'* •*- qualified order. From all reports it » evident Brat Ketchnm had no medical attendance during the lasri week of his Ble, excepting the dsy he died. These tasks have but strengthened the intentions *f the Ketcham family to eentest the will. Criminal proceedings are threatened againsrt the alleged widow and several other person* whose names have not beea divulged, but who John Borden Krtehnni’» relatives will charge were associated in what they characterize as a eonrpiraey. Attorney James E. Purnell, representing the dead banker’s family, said that enough evidence relative to J oka B. Ketcham’s life in the Wallace-Walkup house, as well as the marriage that was performed in Milwaukee last September, has been collected by detectives to make a dear case of conspiracy against several persons. Relative* will contest hi* will, if swell an instrument is In existence, oa lb* ground that he was not emly of unswund mind at the time he may have signed it, but for ten months previous. Ketcham'* two brother* and two sisters will als* deny that their brother was legally married to Mabel Wallace-Walkup. They will claim that he was entirely incapable «f making any kind of n contract at the kune, of the alleged marriage, or indeed tor nearly a year previous. Attorney James E. Purnell, who has charge of the ease, say* he hiss abundant proof that .lota* B. Ketcham ha* been mentally unsouud lor almost a year, and that there has bee» no proof of a marriage with Mrs. Walk up offered by the nlleged wife. The attorney served notice on the Illinois Trust aud Saving* Bank to restrain Mrs. W»Jkup from having access to the safety box

in which the dead man ~-ept his securities. Attorney Purnell also notified the court that the will will be contested as sooji as filed.

JOHN B. KETCHAM.

MABEL WALLACE-WALKUP-KETCHAM.