Tolton Murder Investigation
The Murder that Never Was
August 6, 1902
The Fort Wayne NewsA Mysteryy Still
NO LIGHT SHED ON THE TOLTON CASE
DEAF WOMAN IS ARRESTED
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THINKS HER ADMIRER SLEW HIS WIFE
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WILL DRAG LAKE FOR BODY -
GENERAL NEWS OF THE STATE OF INDIANA
Laporte, Ind., Aug. 5. - The mystery in the Tolton alleged murder case continues to deepen. Mrs. Casie Dolphe, a deaf mute, who has been brought into the case by reason of the allegations that the Westville man murdered his wife in order that he might marry her, became alarmed over the situation and tried to escape, but did not succeed, being apprehended in Porter county and brought back. She is held on a warrant charging her with complicity in the alleged murder. She believes Tolton murdered his wife, but denies any knowledge of the actual commission.
Sheriff Small was at Westville and secured some letters which had been placed in the stove at the Tolton house, evidently for the purpose of burning them. The house was ransacked, but without the discovery of any incriminating evidence. The letters, which consist mainly of written conversations between Tolton and Mrs. Dolphe, throw but little light on the mystery. The feeling at Westville over the case is at fever heat and should the woman's body be discovered or some positive be adduced showing that Tolton murdered his wife, nothing but a regiment of troops would be able to stop a mov from storming the county jail.
Tolton's past record is the strongest point against him. John Patro, of Westville, has told Sheriff Sam Small that Tolton came to his house at 1 o'clock Monday morning, and with drawn revolver demanded he let him have $5. Mrs. Dolphe now admits that Tolton planned to run away with her. When she was asked what she thought about the report that Tolton had murdered his wife in order to marry her, Mrs. Dolphe said she believe he had killed his wife, but shs did not see him do it. She would not admit that Tolton had arranged with her that after he had gotten rid of his wife he and she would go to Michigan City to live together.
The impression having gained ground that Tolton may have thrown the body of his wife into Clear Lake, near Westville, Sheriff Small is making arrangements to drag the bottom.
August 8, 1902
The Fort Wayne News
Both the Toltons at Home
Mrs. Tolton, Who Was Not Murdered Sick and Husband Noisy
La,Porte Ind. Aug. 8 - The nervous strain to which Mrs. William Tolton, of Westville, has been subjected since learning that her husband was suspected of her murder since her return from Chicago has prostrated her. She has stated that she will not live with Tolton again. When she recovers from her illness she wll leave for St. Mary's, O., with her four children to make her home with her brother, Charles POlsdorfer. Tolton arrived at his home in Westville last night, haveing walked from Laporte and within an hour the police were called to quiet him, he having raised a disturbance because, he said, some of his clothing was missing. He chared a neighbor woman with the theft of the clothes, but the police refused to arrest her. Tolton insists that he will bring suit against John Herrod and William Reynolds because they signe the affidavits for his arrest for wife murder.
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