73

IN THE PRELIMINARY.

Mrs. Sheedy, McFarland and Walstrom Arraigned.

A crowded Court Room Awaits in Breathless Anxiety for Something New

Revamping Published Statements,

At 10:30 this morning the preliminary examination of the accused murderers of John Sheedy began before Police Magistate Hauston at the district court room.

As early as 9 o'clock the court room was packed unto suffocation, every seat and nook and window being filled and far out into the hallways did the throng congregate. Contrary to the expectations but few ladies were present at the hearing, or if they were they were lost in the crowd of men that filled the place, so that the effect of their presence was hardly felt by the lawyers or the court.

At 10:30 readiness was announced and the prisoners were ushered in. Mrs. Mary Sheedy was attended by her sisters and attorneys. She wore a sad expression on her face, was attired in sombre black. Walstrom and McFarland had preceded her. After the defendants had been seated in the south part of the room among the army of attorneys the counsel for Mrs. Sheedy, J. B. Strode, announced that it was unnecessary for the court to read the charges, but that all formalities would be waived and the examination begin.

The first witness called to the stand was Dr. Everett. The questions put to him were simply as to the surroundings of the Sheedy place, how he was found by the physicians, etc. on the night of the assault, January 11th.

Drs. Hart and Casebeer were also called to the stand to give testimony as to their findings at the autopsy, but gave nothing additional to the published statements as the time of the corner's jury.

H. Goldwater, the pawnbroker was placed upon the stand and identified the cane as the one he sold to McFarland, the negro who is arraigned as one of the principals in the murder.

The usual grist of uninteresting, though perhaps important questions, were asked each witness but THE CALL believes these would make a too tedious account for the average reader and will simply say nothing new was introduced in the examination those four were all that were examined this morning.

THIS AFTERNOON.

The crowd surged into the hallways and corridors of the court house and was almost double the size of that of the morning. Dr. Beachley was called to the stand at two o'clock to give his testimony regarding the autopsy and the examination of this witness consumed considerable time.

It is not expected that either of the principals will be called to the stand before tomorrow and possibly later as it is thought this examination will continue at least three days.

Many thought that preliminary examination would be waived, but it is understood that the counsel for the defendants desired it to determine the line of defense to make.