113

A BLOW IN THE DARK

John Sheedy Dies at the Hands of an Assasin

Probably no man in Lincoln was better or more widely known than John Sheedy. For twenty years he had been the leading gambler of this city and was the coolest and most noted member of his so-called profession between Chicago and the mountains. His character had little of the soft side to it though his deportment outside his business was that pf a gentleman. He was literally the boss 0f the sort of men to whom he belonged.

Last Sunday night he stepped upon his porch and received a blow on the forehead from a weapon in the hands of some person unknown. He recovered himself and fired at his assailant who fled and escaped in the darkness. Sheedy was not thought to be seriously hurt, but the skull had been crushed ad he sank rapidly, dying about twenty-seven hours later.

Speculation is rife to the murderer. Some incline to the opinion that the deed was done by one Jay Patterson, a gambler, who had trouble with the dead man several years ago, and who had spent five years in prison for an assault on him. Others hold different theories but there is no actual clue, unless the bludgeon with which he was struck may prove to be one. It is in the hands of the police.