Chico Enterprise, Saturday, February 9, 1918, pg 1:
"Wife of Durham Physician Shoots Self After Two Shots at Husband
"Following a quarrel with her husband, Dr. C.P. Stephens, a physician of Durham, Mrs. Stephens, his wife, fired to shots at him, both of which missed their mark, and then turned the gun upon herself with fatal affect. The bullet pierced her left breast and she died almost instantly.
"The tragedy occurred at 2:20 this morning, a few hours after the couple had returned from Chico where they attended lodge. Stephens was placed under arrest early this morning by Constable J.A. Franklin at the instance [insistence?] of Assistant District Attorney Harry Davids, pending an investigation. He was later released following a coroner's inquest which exonerated him.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stephens attended a meeting of the Knights and Ladies of Security in the Woodmen hall. They returned to their home in Durham by taxicab, being accompanied by C.A. Colley and Mrs. Ella Dunn. They arrived about midnight, and according to Dr. Stephens, he lighted a fire before retiring.
"Had Been Drinking.
"According to Dr. Stephens, he had been drinking during the evening. He told his wife he wanted to go to town. She insisted that they go to bed, and violent quarrel arose between them.
"Made No Threats.
"Mrs. Stephens, according to the doctor, made no threats, but left the room appearing a moment later with a .32 Colt automatic. She fired one shot at Stephens while he was seated behind the stove. At the first shot according to Dr. Stephens' statement, he arose and made for the kitchen door. As he was going out a second shot rang out, again missing and lodging in the china cabinet. The third shot was fired as he was in the yard. He called Constable Franklin, and when they arrived back at the house, they found Mrs. Stephens lying on the floor of the bedroom, with the revolver lying across her breast.
"Placed Under Arrest
"Constable Franklin summed the coroner and the assistant district attorney. Following an investigation, Davids ordered Dr. Stephens placed under arrest until a complete investigation and a coroner's inquisition had been held.
"Following the returning of the coroner's jury's verdict of ‘death caused by gunshot wound, self inflicted with suicidal intent,' Dr. Stephens was released.
"Attempted to Take Life Before
"Mrs. Stephens had attempted on two occasion some years ago to take her own life, according to Dr. Stephens and according to a statement made this morning by Mrs. Joseph Jones of Durham, only a month ago had threatened to commit suicide.
"Often Quarreled
"According to neighbors the couple had often quarreled, especially when Stephens had been drinking.
"Mrs. Stephens was a native of Illinois, and was thirty-six years old. She married Dr. Stephens about ten years ago, living practically all of that time in Durham. There are no children. Mrs. Stephens has relatives in Illinois.
"No arrangements have been made for the funeral."
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Mary Jane Chamberlain (b. 9 Sep 1845, Shelby Co., IL; d. 11 Jul 1931, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., IL) died 8 Feb 1918, Durham, is buried at Mt Zion Cem., Shelby Co., IL
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987
Name Myrtle Esther Stephens
Gender Female
Marital Status Married
Birth Date 21 Apr abt 1883
Birth Place Illinois
Age at Death 35
Death Date 9 Feb 1918
Death Place Durham, Butte, California, USA
Father Prosser
Mother Mary Chamberlain
Spouse C P Stephens
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
"Wife of Durham Physician Shoots Self After Two Shots at Husband
"Following a quarrel with her husband, Dr. C.P. Stephens, a physician of Durham, Mrs. Stephens, his wife, fired to shots at him, both of which missed their mark, and then turned the gun upon herself with fatal affect. The bullet pierced her left breast and she died almost instantly.
"The tragedy occurred at 2:20 this morning, a few hours after the couple had returned from Chico where they attended lodge. Stephens was placed under arrest early this morning by Constable J.A. Franklin at the instance [insistence?] of Assistant District Attorney Harry Davids, pending an investigation. He was later released following a coroner's inquest which exonerated him.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stephens attended a meeting of the Knights and Ladies of Security in the Woodmen hall. They returned to their home in Durham by taxicab, being accompanied by C.A. Colley and Mrs. Ella Dunn. They arrived about midnight, and according to Dr. Stephens, he lighted a fire before retiring.
"Had Been Drinking.
"According to Dr. Stephens, he had been drinking during the evening. He told his wife he wanted to go to town. She insisted that they go to bed, and violent quarrel arose between them.
"Made No Threats.
"Mrs. Stephens, according to the doctor, made no threats, but left the room appearing a moment later with a .32 Colt automatic. She fired one shot at Stephens while he was seated behind the stove. At the first shot according to Dr. Stephens' statement, he arose and made for the kitchen door. As he was going out a second shot rang out, again missing and lodging in the china cabinet. The third shot was fired as he was in the yard. He called Constable Franklin, and when they arrived back at the house, they found Mrs. Stephens lying on the floor of the bedroom, with the revolver lying across her breast.
"Placed Under Arrest
"Constable Franklin summed the coroner and the assistant district attorney. Following an investigation, Davids ordered Dr. Stephens placed under arrest until a complete investigation and a coroner's inquisition had been held.
"Following the returning of the coroner's jury's verdict of ‘death caused by gunshot wound, self inflicted with suicidal intent,' Dr. Stephens was released.
"Attempted to Take Life Before
"Mrs. Stephens had attempted on two occasion some years ago to take her own life, according to Dr. Stephens and according to a statement made this morning by Mrs. Joseph Jones of Durham, only a month ago had threatened to commit suicide.
"Often Quarreled
"According to neighbors the couple had often quarreled, especially when Stephens had been drinking.
"Mrs. Stephens was a native of Illinois, and was thirty-six years old. She married Dr. Stephens about ten years ago, living practically all of that time in Durham. There are no children. Mrs. Stephens has relatives in Illinois.
"No arrangements have been made for the funeral."
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Mary Jane Chamberlain (b. 9 Sep 1845, Shelby Co., IL; d. 11 Jul 1931, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., IL) died 8 Feb 1918, Durham, is buried at Mt Zion Cem., Shelby Co., IL
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987
Name Myrtle Esther Stephens
Gender Female
Marital Status Married
Birth Date 21 Apr abt 1883
Birth Place Illinois
Age at Death 35
Death Date 9 Feb 1918
Death Place Durham, Butte, California, USA
Father Prosser
Mother Mary Chamberlain
Spouse C P Stephens
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
Chico Enterprise, Saturday, February 9, 1918, pg 1:
"Wife of Durham Physician Shoots Self After Two Shots at Husband
"Following a quarrel with her husband, Dr. C.P. Stephens, a physician of Durham, Mrs. Stephens, his wife, fired to shots at him, both of which missed their mark, and then turned the gun upon herself with fatal affect. The bullet pierced her left breast and she died almost instantly.
"The tragedy occurred at 2:20 this morning, a few hours after the couple had returned from Chico where they attended lodge. Stephens was placed under arrest early this morning by Constable J.A. Franklin at the instance [insistence?] of Assistant District Attorney Harry Davids, pending an investigation. He was later released following a coroner's inquest which exonerated him.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stephens attended a meeting of the Knights and Ladies of Security in the Woodmen hall. They returned to their home in Durham by taxicab, being accompanied by C.A. Colley and Mrs. Ella Dunn. They arrived about midnight, and according to Dr. Stephens, he lighted a fire before retiring.
"Had Been Drinking.
"According to Dr. Stephens, he had been drinking during the evening. He told his wife he wanted to go to town. She insisted that they go to bed, and violent quarrel arose between them.
"Made No Threats.
"Mrs. Stephens, according to the doctor, made no threats, but left the room appearing a moment later with a .32 Colt automatic. She fired one shot at Stephens while he was seated behind the stove. At the first shot according to Dr. Stephens' statement, he arose and made for the kitchen door. As he was going out a second shot rang out, again missing and lodging in the china cabinet. The third shot was fired as he was in the yard. He called Constable Franklin, and when they arrived back at the house, they found Mrs. Stephens lying on the floor of the bedroom, with the revolver lying across her breast.
"Placed Under Arrest
"Constable Franklin summed the coroner and the assistant district attorney. Following an investigation, Davids ordered Dr. Stephens placed under arrest until a complete investigation and a coroner's inquisition had been held.
"Following the returning of the coroner's jury's verdict of ‘death caused by gunshot wound, self inflicted with suicidal intent,' Dr. Stephens was released.
"Attempted to Take Life Before
"Mrs. Stephens had attempted on two occasion some years ago to take her own life, according to Dr. Stephens and according to a statement made this morning by Mrs. Joseph Jones of Durham, only a month ago had threatened to commit suicide.
"Often Quarreled
"According to neighbors the couple had often quarreled, especially when Stephens had been drinking.
"Mrs. Stephens was a native of Illinois, and was thirty-six years old. She married Dr. Stephens about ten years ago, living practically all of that time in Durham. There are no children. Mrs. Stephens has relatives in Illinois.
"No arrangements have been made for the funeral."
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Mary Jane Chamberlain (b. 9 Sep 1845, Shelby Co., IL; d. 11 Jul 1931, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., IL) died 8 Feb 1918, Durham, is buried at Mt Zion Cem., Shelby Co., IL
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987
Name Myrtle Esther Stephens
Gender Female
Marital Status Married
Birth Date 21 Apr abt 1883
Birth Place Illinois
Age at Death 35
Death Date 9 Feb 1918
Death Place Durham, Butte, California, USA
Father Prosser
Mother Mary Chamberlain
Spouse C P Stephens
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
"Wife of Durham Physician Shoots Self After Two Shots at Husband
"Following a quarrel with her husband, Dr. C.P. Stephens, a physician of Durham, Mrs. Stephens, his wife, fired to shots at him, both of which missed their mark, and then turned the gun upon herself with fatal affect. The bullet pierced her left breast and she died almost instantly.
"The tragedy occurred at 2:20 this morning, a few hours after the couple had returned from Chico where they attended lodge. Stephens was placed under arrest early this morning by Constable J.A. Franklin at the instance [insistence?] of Assistant District Attorney Harry Davids, pending an investigation. He was later released following a coroner's inquest which exonerated him.
"Mr. and Mrs. Stephens attended a meeting of the Knights and Ladies of Security in the Woodmen hall. They returned to their home in Durham by taxicab, being accompanied by C.A. Colley and Mrs. Ella Dunn. They arrived about midnight, and according to Dr. Stephens, he lighted a fire before retiring.
"Had Been Drinking.
"According to Dr. Stephens, he had been drinking during the evening. He told his wife he wanted to go to town. She insisted that they go to bed, and violent quarrel arose between them.
"Made No Threats.
"Mrs. Stephens, according to the doctor, made no threats, but left the room appearing a moment later with a .32 Colt automatic. She fired one shot at Stephens while he was seated behind the stove. At the first shot according to Dr. Stephens' statement, he arose and made for the kitchen door. As he was going out a second shot rang out, again missing and lodging in the china cabinet. The third shot was fired as he was in the yard. He called Constable Franklin, and when they arrived back at the house, they found Mrs. Stephens lying on the floor of the bedroom, with the revolver lying across her breast.
"Placed Under Arrest
"Constable Franklin summed the coroner and the assistant district attorney. Following an investigation, Davids ordered Dr. Stephens placed under arrest until a complete investigation and a coroner's inquisition had been held.
"Following the returning of the coroner's jury's verdict of ‘death caused by gunshot wound, self inflicted with suicidal intent,' Dr. Stephens was released.
"Attempted to Take Life Before
"Mrs. Stephens had attempted on two occasion some years ago to take her own life, according to Dr. Stephens and according to a statement made this morning by Mrs. Joseph Jones of Durham, only a month ago had threatened to commit suicide.
"Often Quarreled
"According to neighbors the couple had often quarreled, especially when Stephens had been drinking.
"Mrs. Stephens was a native of Illinois, and was thirty-six years old. She married Dr. Stephens about ten years ago, living practically all of that time in Durham. There are no children. Mrs. Stephens has relatives in Illinois.
"No arrangements have been made for the funeral."
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
Mary Jane Chamberlain (b. 9 Sep 1845, Shelby Co., IL; d. 11 Jul 1931, Shelbyville, Shelby Co., IL) died 8 Feb 1918, Durham, is buried at Mt Zion Cem., Shelby Co., IL
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
California, Death and Burial Records from Select Counties, 1873-1987
Name Myrtle Esther Stephens
Gender Female
Marital Status Married
Birth Date 21 Apr abt 1883
Birth Place Illinois
Age at Death 35
Death Date 9 Feb 1918
Death Place Durham, Butte, California, USA
Father Prosser
Mother Mary Chamberlain
Spouse C P Stephens
By contributor Cubgirl
-------------------------
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
