213

SURPRISE FOR THE DEFENSE.

Dr. Beachley Declares Sheedy's Death Was Caused by Morphine Poisoning.

SOME EXPERT MEDICAL TESTIMONY.

Consternation Among Mrs Sheedy's Attorneys - Former Evidence Refuted - The End Not in Sight - Court Adjourned.

Lincoln, Neb., May 16. -[Special to The Bee]- Two weeks have been consumed in the Sheedy murder case and from present indications it will last two weeks longer, as the testimony has now been reached and something startling is promised in that line.

Dr. Beachley, one of the physicians who conducted the autopsy, was examined and his testimony caused consternation among the attorneys on the part of the defense. Admitting that every symptom attributed to Mr. Sheedy while dying by Dr. Hart was true, Dr. Beachley declared that those symptoms in connection with the things made manifest at the autopsy showed that Sheedy had died from the effects of morphine poisoning. This caused a profound sensation, as Dr. Hart's testimony was decidedly favorable towards Mrs. Sheedy. The evening after Dr. Hart testified he was greatly elated over having exonerated himself from certain sinister charges. His testimony was something of a surprise because it so favored Mrs. Sheedy, but when Dr. Beachley today took the same symptoms and declared that they indicated morphine poisoning there was another sensation produced. Dr. Beachley began practicing medicine before Dr. Hart was born.

Albert Katzehstein was the first witness called. He testified that he was a clerk in Herpolsheimer's store at the time of the inquest. That certain nightshirts were shown to him which he identified as the same which he had sold to Mrs. Sheedy. These shirts were found in Walstrom's room.

James Gatchell, a clerk in the hosiery department of Heroplsheimer's, testified that he sold Mrs. Sheedy three pair of socks in December. At the time of the inquest over Sheedy's body. Detective Malone and Mr. Herpolsheimer showed that witness certain socks exactly like those sold to Mrs. Sheedy. These socks were found in Walstrom's room.

Harry Shafer, grand keeper of the records and seal of the Knights of Pythias in Nebraska, testified that on the day following the assault of John Sheedy he called to see the wounded man, who was brother knight. While there Mrs. Sheedy remarked:

"I believe that Mr. Sheedy is dying, not from the effects of the blow, but I think they have given him something to kill him."

The witness further testified that Mrs. Sheedy manifested no symptoms whatever of grief.

J. Smith, a clerk at Schwab's store, testified that on December 20, he sold four neckties to Mrs. Sheedy. At the time of the inquest the witness was shown certain neckties which, Detective Malone, had found in Waltrom's room. One of them was identified in every respect with one of the ties the witness sold to Mrs. Sheedy.

Dr. Beachley was called. He testified:

"I have been practicing medicine for thirty-five years. I was present at the time of the post mortem examination. Dr. Casebeer conducted the autopsy. I assisted him. The brain was found in a normal condition. We found no coagulated blood or ruptured vessels in the brain. Th heart was enlarged. There were indications of fatty degeneration. The liver was enlarged. The kidneys were in a normal state. The bladder was full of water."

The witness then gave a full description of the various bones of the head, not considering the bones of the face. Also of the [di-isions?] of the brain. He then continued:

"The symptoms of morphine poisoning are: Insensibility to the touch; the pupils of the eye are uncontrolled; the breathing is slow and noisy; the action of the kidneys and bowels suspended; the pulse is at first accelerated; later the pulse may become slower or more accelerated. In the earlier stages vomiting is noticed; later the pupils of the ye may become enlarged. The effect of strophene is just the reverse of morphine on the pupils of the same. Sulphonal is a new remedy. It is used to induce sleep. It does not allay pain. The usual dose of sulphonal is from fifteen to thirty grains."

Mr. Lambertson then gave a description of Mr. Sheedy's condition at the time he was found by Dr. Hart at 4 a.m. : described the various symptoms exhibited up to the time of Mr. Sheedy's death and the various medicines administered. Mr. Lambertson then asked the witness what in his opinion under such circumstances was the cause of Mr. Sheedy's death.

Stearns, attorney for Mrs. Sheedy, objected and was seconded by Philpot. A long debate ensued in which Mr. Lambertson declared that he was merely asking a hypothetical question. The court declared that such questions were permissible only when they were founded on evidence already given, and as evidence to that effect had been presented he would permit an answer. Witness answered:

"My opinion is that under such circumstances the man dies from morphine poisoning."

Cross-examination: "The brain was carefully sliced to find traces of coagulation. Dr. Casebeer cut through the medulla to see if there were any blood spots in it. He found no blood spots there. There was no more fluid in the brain than one would ordinarily expect. The use of alcoholic spirits or disease may cause the enlargement of the liver. Mr. Sheedy's liver was not enlarged sufficiently to affect his general health. There was a gall stone in the gall bladder, but it was too large to get into the ducts and affect his health in any way. When a person dies from the effect of a blow he does not breathe as slowly as a person who is dying from the effects of morphine poisoning. Sometimes one half of a grain of morphine may produce death, but there are instances recorded where persons adulted to the morphine habit have taken as high as ten grains without producing fatal results."

Recross-examination: "Had death resulted from the blow affecting the heart the demise would have been instantaneous. The effects of morphine are somewhat lingering. The effects from compression of the brain and concussion are different. Compression causes a dilation of the pupils, while concussion causes a contraction. It is sometimes hard to tell whether it is compression of the brain or concussion. Compression is generally induced by a rapture of a blood vessel and the blood pouring out into the cavity of the skull and coagulating. Death may be produced from compression of the spinal cord. The blood or other fluid may run down into the spinal column from the brain and produce death and leave no traces whatever in the brain."

The ready manner in which Lambertson expressed himself, from both a medical and chemical standpoint, in asking questions, nettled Stearns, attorney for Mrs. Sheedy, and he remarked sarcastically:

"I believe, Mr. Lambertson, you have been putting in two months preparing for this case."

"I believe, Mr. Lambertson, "have but in that time if, like the counsel for the defense, I was to receive $15,000 for it."

The witness then continued:

"The difference between morphine poisoning and compression of the brain is as follows: Morphine causes unconsciousness, construction of the pupils of the eye, vomiting in the early stages, suspension of the functions of the body, such as swallowing, retention of urine and torpidity of the bowels.there is an increase of temperature in the earliest stages, the respiration is decreased; the patient ceases to breathe for a time, then breathes several times in quick succession; the pulse is variable; it might go up to 140 beats per minute. In cases of compression of the brain one hand and foot may be paralyzed. The patient may be conscious. If the compression is in the upper part of the brain it may affect only one side. If at the base it may affect only one side. If at the base it may affect both and cause unconsciousness similar to morphine poisoning. In that case there would be found a clot at the base of the brain. The eye would generally show dilation; breathing nearer normal then in morphine poisoning and not so slow. If the spine is affected the bladder and bowels would be torpid. The symptoms of a dose of morphine was put into the wound it would have the same effect as though hypodermically injected. A person will stand a larger dose of morphine when suffering with pain than when not suffering."

Re-cross examination: "When a person is seriously injured a toxic dose of morphine like a small one might lie on the stomach for three hours if not assimilated. I have repeatedly given doses of morphine that have not shown any symptoms at all."

These last statements of the doctor caused intense excitement among the attorneys for the defense, as Mr. Hart, who throughout his testimony had favored Mrs. Sheedy, had declared that there were no symptoms of any thing like morphine poisoning until 4 o'clock in the morning, which was three hours after the time when, the prosecution believes, the fatal dose was given Mr. Sheedy.

Strode got wild and asked the witness all manner of questions in a semi-insolent, querulous manner, which were readily answered by the aged doctor in a calm, collected manner. Strode finally became so exasperated at his failure to get the witness rattled that he gave the matter up and angrily excused him.

Court then adjourned until Monday morning.

REMARKABLE STORY.

Alleged Conspiracy to Defraud an Heiress of Her Estate.

Boston, Mass., May 16. -A suit brought by Fannie Brown to recover her share as an heir of William White, who died in 1883 leaving property in Michigan valued at $200,000 or more, is before the supreme court and has developed a remarkable story of alleged conspiracy on the part of White's second wife and others to deprive the daughter of any of her father's estate. When Eliza Campbell married Widower White over forty years ago she was employed in his printing office. She and the step-daughter, Fannie, were on the best of terms, but trouble soon developed, and in 1861 Fannie was forced to leave her father's house. She returned, however, in 1866, after a reconciliation. White's property included a valuable tract of land in Michigan, which he had received in payment to notes he held against a debtor. When he died he left no will and his widow decided to claim the whole estate. The daughter asserted her right to share of the property.

Soon after this, it is alleged, a conspiracy was formed between mrs. Shite, Fletcher and James Campbell, a brother of Mrs. White, where by Mrs. Brown, the daughter of White (she having married A. E. Brown, a patient solicitor), was to be defrauded of her share of the property. In order to put this alleged conspiracy into execution it became necessary, as alleged in the bill now before the court, not only to commit, as is claimed, several forgeries, but also to bring forward a new heir, or rather a new owner, for what Mr. and Mrs. Brown claimed was White's property. To show that White had never received the land in payment for that note it became necessary for fletcher and his so called conspirators to show that the note had been paid in some other way, and to do so it is charged that the boldest erasures, forgeries and mutilation of account books were resorted to. After White's death Mrs. White and Fletcher and Hames Campbell severally declared that the property had never belonged to White; that he was simply acting as guardian for Newell Rogers Campbell, the child of a man who worked for White as bookkeeper, and had been frequently befriended by white. The case has been pending fifteen years, but it is expected that a final hearing on the master's report will take place in June, when some interesting testimony will be produced.

WARNED THE PROVENZANOS.

Mayor Shakespeare of New Orleans Uses Very Plain Language.

New Orleans, La., May 16. -Yesterday Henry Peters, a stevedore, went to the city hall and complained to Mayor Shakespeare that the Provenzanos were interfering with him on the levees and intimidating his laborers. He was advised to make an affidavit against the Provenzano's brothers were arrested and the Provenzano's brothers were arrested and held in $200 bonds. The mayor sent a message to the Provenzanos, Joe and Peter, directing them to call on him at once. Joe called this morning. The mayor warned him that the community had grown sick and tired of his lawlessness and intimidation. "I want to give you fair notice," continued his honor, "that this thing must stop now and for all time. You need not deny anything. I know well enough that you have lone been a menace to the peace of this community. You know as well as I do the assiduous means by which you seek to intimidate and frighten people. You may not do your work openly, but you find another and perhaps more effective way. Now there must be once and forever an end to this. I have issued orders to the chief of police that he must use his entire force if necessary to prevent you from carrying your designs into execution. I am sorry that I am obliged to go to Denver. If I could remain here I would personally take command of the police force and I would use every means at my command to wipe from the face of the earth every member of your gang who tries to raise his hand against a person of the community. In my absence my representatives will act for me. When I return I shall act for myself, but this reign of terror must stop, and if there is a way possible to do it it will stop. Now you have been warned."

Provenzano had but little to say except to protest his innocence. He left the hall very much crushed. The Provenzanos, it was charged by Rev. Father Manoritta, were at the head of the Mafia society.

DR. GRAVES INDICTED.

Denver Grand Jury Charges Him with Murdering Mrs. Barnaby.

Denver, Colo., May 16. -The grand jury this evening returned an indictment against Dr. T. Thatcher Graves, charging him with the murder of Mrs. Joesphine Barnaby by admministering poison.

The doctor has not yet been arrested, and it is understood that no warrant will be issued until Monday at least. Several indictments are expected in this case before the grand jury adjourns.

Scotch-Irish Congress.

Louisville, Ky., May 16. -The last day's session of the Scotch-Irish congress was well attended. Dr. McIntosh read a paper setting forth the objects of the society and inviting all of Scotch-Irish descent to unite with the congress. Letters of regret were read from President Draz, of Mexico, and many prominent Americans.

Two Thousand People Homeless.

Santa Fe, N. M., May 16. -Sheriff Luna of Valencia county reports over two thousand people homeless in this county on the east bank of the Rio Grande, opposite Los Lunas, the county seat of the county. Their houses and crops have been destroyed by the floods. The Rio Grande is now slowly failing.