GREENERPASTURE Free Family History Since 1999
ANCESTOR STORY Alice Mildred ORCUTT

DR. SWOPE, INDICTED IN SUIT CASE MURDER, DEAD IN BROCKTON


Date: January 21, 1926
Location: Vermont
Paper: St. Albans Daily Messenger

"Brockton, Mass., Jan 21 - (AP) - Dr. Dalva H. Swope of this city, who was indicted as an accessory in connection with the Tyngsboro 'suit case murder' in 1923 but never brought to trial, died at his home today after an illness of a month."

"Dr Swope and Dr William H. Robb, of Boston, were arrested after parts of a woman's body were found in a suit case in the Merrimac river at Tyngsboro. Investigation by state police disclosed that the suit case was taken from an automobile owned by Dr Robb. The body was identified as that of Mrs. Alice M. Wolschendorf, of East Bridgewater, who had died as the result of an illegal operation."

"While Robb was in jail at East Cambridge awaiting trial, he offered to reveal the hiding places of the missing parts of the woman's body, and these were found later in various parts of the state."

"Robb was sentenced to five to seven years in state prison but the indictment against Doctor Swope never was pressed."

"Recently George E. Wolschendorf of East Bridgewater, husband of the 'suit case' victim was awarded $5,000 in an alienation action against William F. Bowen, of East Bridgewater who, the plaintiff claimed, was responsible for Mrs. Wolschendorf's condition."





DR SWOPE, INDICTED IN MURDER, DIES

Date: January 22, 1926
Location: Massachusetts
Paper: Springfield Republican

"Brockton, Jan. 21 - Dr Dalva A. Swope, 58, under indictment in the Middlesex county superior court in connection with the death of Mrs Alice Wolschendorf of East Bridgewater, 'suitcase murder victim', died at his home here today after a month's illness."

"Dr. William M. Robb of Boston was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder which was changed to a charge of having performed an illegal operation on the woman and is now serving a 10-year sentence at the state prison camp in Rutland."

"His alleged connection with the notorious case is believed to have had its effect on Dr Swope's health and to have been indirectly responsible for his death."

"Recently, Atty James W. Murdock, counsel for Dr. Swope, filed with Dist Atty Arthur K. Reading of Middlesex county, a petition for a bill of particulars in connection with Swope's indictment. No action has been taken on this petition."

"It was alleged that Dr Swope sent Mrs Wolschendorf to Dr Robb's office in Boston, where she died following an illegal operation. Afterward her body was put in the suit cases and thrown into the river. Dr Swope leaves a wife and a daughter, Anita."
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