Minnie Bassett
February 6, 1901
The (Muncie, Indiana) Morning Star
Suspects Foul Play Miss Bassett's Death Recalled Died Last Month Girl's Father Here Kokomo Police Are Not At Work According to a telegram received from Kokomo Tuesday the Rev. Richard Bassett, colored, father of Minnie Bassett, who died in Muncle two weeks ago, believes that death resulted from foul play and will demand a thorough investigation, which he has already started in Muncie. The young woman, who was employed as a domestic in the family of Dr. John W. Garner in East Main street, spent Tuesday night, January 17 at the home of John Curtis, 1022 East Jackson street. When ehe awoke she complained of being ill and was advised to lie down again, but insisted upon going to work. She went to a second story room after her hat, so members of the family said, and a few minutes later was found lying on the floor, as if from a fall. She was unconscious. Blood flowed from her nose and mouth, her chin was crushed and three teeth were gone. Dr. A. L. Cooper was called and said he believed the base of her skull was fractured. This opinion was shared by a white physician, who was called in consultation. Next day the girl died and the remains were sent to Kokomo for interment. The Kokomo telegram bearing on the case, which is somewhat in error, follows: "The Rev. Richard Bassett, colored, of this city, formerly Representative of Howard County in the Legislature returned from Muncie, where he went to investigate the death of his daughter, Minnie Bassett, whom he thinks was victim of foul play. When the body was brought here for interment, two front teeth were missing, her skull was fractured and her side injured. The story of her death, as told to Mr. Bassett by Muncie people, was to the effect that late at night a noise was heard is her room, something like a struggle, and later a body was heard to fall to the floor. The girl died with- out making an explanation, and it was given out that death was the result of an accidental fall. Mr. Bassett is not satisfied, and has asked the prosecutor to take the matter up." Samuel Cashmore, superintendent of police, said Tuesday night that he was not aware that any investigation was in progress and that he did not know the dead girl'a father had been in Muncie. Efforts to learn additional facts in the case from Prosecutor Dearth were unavailing late Tuesday night as the official could not be found, It is poss- ible that Mr. Dearth is making the investigation quietly at the instigation of the Rev. Basssett.