Mrs. Chase
Murder
Kentucky Post, Thursday, 12 February 1903, page 5
Prosecutor Newman, Sheriff Dan Reidel and his deputies and County Attorney Charles Yungblut were "up in the air" Thursday morning because somebody "snitched." It is serious from the fact the valuable informatin conveyed to the grand jury was given out by some one present.
The grand jury is investigating the alleged murder of Mrs. Hawkins by a woman named Mrs. Chase. The crime was committed on a shanty boat near Brent Ky. last summer and it is said was propted by jealousy. Sheriff Reidel and Prosecutor Herrman learned that one of the men arrested by Chief Deveraus, of the Highlands, charged with the theft of some meat and a skiff from a Clermont County farmer, knew considerable about the killing.
It was impossible to bring an indictment by former grand juries and this time it was to be done. The prisoner in question was brought up from the Newport jail and finally told all he knew. Warrants were later sworn out for the arrest of several parties near Brent, but the officials have not served them as yet, and hardly expect to, because the persons wanted have fled.
Just as soon as the confession was obtained some one present tipped off the facts and the plans of the Prosecutor were spoiled or in his own words, who ever did it "defeated justice."
Those present when the confession was made were the Prosecutor and his friend, Robert A Davis; Sheriff Reidel and his deputy Charles Davis, Judge Hissem and County Attorney Yungblut knew of it also. Each one of these men swore they did not give it away. Sheriff Reidel suspects some one and has given orders to keep certain people out of his office.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 16 February 1903, page 5
The Campbell County Grand Jury, which completed its labors on last Saturday, referred the murder of Mrs. Chase to the next grand jury. The murder was committed on a shanty boat some months ago and so far the woman who is suspected has never been arrested.
The reported story of the murder was that the Chase woman was living with another woman's husband and jealousy was the cause of the crime. During the recent meeting of the grand jury the officials secured some important information from one of the prisoners in the Newport Jail and warrants were issued for two parties who were reported to be implicated. No arrests were made, because the information was given out before the Sheriff had a chance to get after the people wanted.
The warrants are still in the Sheriff's hands, the murder or murderess still at large and the case laid over for the next grand jury.