Jan 15, 1885  Shakopee Courier

  Mrs. Josephine Chapman, a widow, committed suicide at Eden Prairie, Minn. on the 8th.
Brooding over the loss of her husband.

Jan 15, 1885  Chaska Valley Herald

  The Pioneer Press, of last Friday contained an account of the suicide of Mrs. Josie Chapman,
NEE Miss Josie Goodrich, and formerly popular young lady of Chaska, which we herewith
re-produce viz:
  "The coroner yesterday brought the details of the suicide of Mrs. S.M. Chapman at Eden Prairie,
which was mentioned in the Pioneer Press yesterday morning.
  After breakfast Wednesday morning she helped her mother, Mrs. Horace Goodrich, about the
house and then went upstairs. Nothing more was seen of her until 11 o'clock, when her mother
called her to come down, receiving no answer, she went upstairs, burst open the door of the
bedroom, which was locked and found her daughter lying lifeless on the floor, her throat cut from
ear to ear. The razor with which it had been done was lying on the floor beside her. It belonged to
her father and had been kept on a pantry shelf. It is supposed that she it upstairs with her. Her
chin was cut in two places, showing that several attempts were made before the fatal gash was
made. The windpipe, gullet, both cartoids and arteries were severed. As said yesterday, Mrs.
Chapman was disconsolate over the death of her husband and it is supposed that this was the
cause of the deed. She had frequently said that she did not think it would be any crime to kill
herself, but never made any positive threats. She left no word except a letter to her brother-in-law
which has not been opened. The coroner did not think it necessary to hold an inquest. Mrs.
Chapman was well known in the city and county and her death is a great shock to many friends.