31

GOT A THREATENING LETTER

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FOUR DAYS BEFORE THE ASSULT

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D. G. Courtnay Gives Some Important Testimony at a Remarkably Late Date.

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Mrs. Skinner Not Permitted to Tell of Having Seen Monday Going Through the Alley After Both Assaults of Sheedy.

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No More Testimony to Go In.

The progress of the Sheedy case was remarkably dilatory during the half day session devoted to rebuttal yesterday, owing to the absence of witnesses extracted by the state, and the officers of the court receives several broadsides of criticism from Judge Field and the attorneys for not having the witness in readiness when called.

There was the inevitable crowd of spectators on attendance, eager to hear the last bits of conflicting testimony sifted to a definite conclusion. the accused, with their attendants and attorneys, were on hand promptly at the hour for opening. An air of exhaustion was perceptible on every hand. The three weeks of mental strain has left its tracks upon the features of all whose connection with the case has kept them in line with its progress, and it was apparent that all were apply qualified to profit from a day of rest.

Mrs. Sheedy, during the greater part of the long forenoon sat with her eyes closed, as if sleeping, while her sisters, Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Dean, were quietly enjoying the mental relief that comes borne upon a tide of tears. Those three devoted sisters appear to have suffered much more poignantly from the events of the past three weeks than has the defendant who enjoys their tender, anxious sympathy, if one may accurately measure human anguish by outward appearances. Their deportment has undeniably operated very much to the advantage of the defense in this case.

Monday McFarland did not appear so utterly forsaken yesterday as during the former days of the trial. It is true that some of his colored friends and relatives have been near him in court every day ever since the taking of testimony began, but yesterday he sat in a semi-circle of ten colored ladies. Among them all the most tastefully and expensively attired was his wife, an intelligent looking colored woman of apparently about twenty-five years of age. She had brought with her their baby, and the child nestled down into its father's arms and maintained a mystical quietude throughout the forenoon. Once the swartly prisoner was noticed bending over it in tears. Monday and his coterie of friends sat nearer the jury than did Mrs. Sheedy, and the incident of the child's presence in court did not fail to make its impression upon everyone.

The chief testimony offered yesterday was certainly of a very important and interesting nature. Both sides had some ready, but only the defense was allowed to bring out any new facts. The testimony of Mrs. Skinner to the effect that she saw Monday McFarland pass through the alley just after both of the assaults at the Sheedy place, was not permitted to go before the jury.

Upon the opening of court Mr. Strode asked the court for leave to introduce some testimony of which he had just learned and desired to call D. G. Courtnay. Mr. Hall for the state protested somewhat against permitting the introduction of some evidence so long after the defense had rested its case, but the court concluded to permit it.

An Anonymous Threatening Letter.

Mr. D. G. Courtnay was called and said that John Sheedy was in his office two or three or four days before the last assault and gave him a letter he had received, indicating that he was to be assaulted and killed; witness gave it back to Sheedy; had looked through Sheedy's papers after his death, but had been unable to find it; Patrick and Michael Sheedy had then taken some of the clothing away. There was no name signed to the letter and it was in a disguised hand writing. Mr. Sheedy had said at the time that he had shown it to Mr. Sheedy. The substance of the letter was the unless Sheedy let up on his opposition to other gamblers and stopped trying to run the town, it would be only a question of time until he was killed.

"Mr. Courtnay, when did you tell Mr. Strode about that letter?" asked Mr. Hall.

"Yesterday, I had told Mr. Higgerstaff of it the evening before and had also spoken to Judge Weir."

"Is it not a fact Mr. Courtnay that the letter was signed a friend to your wife?"

"It is not."

"Did he ever show you any similar letter or letters signed in that way?"

"No sir."

The witness explained that the letter was postmarked to Lincoln, was not dated, and was written in what appeared to be a man's disguised hand.

The defense also endeavored to call out the substance of some letters Mrs. Sheedy had written for husband while she was in Buffalo, and how they came to be destroyed. He stated that Dennis Sheedyhad [feud]? them in the presence of the witness that had cried like a child. He was not permitted to tell of the contents or tone of those letters, although the defense persistently endeavored to draw out some imitation of the terms in which they were counsel form which it was easily inferred that they were ideal love letters.

Saw no Two Men running.

Officer Kinney was the first witness called in rebuttal by the state and said that he was with Officer Otto at the [Bure]? block corner, Twelfth and O, when the shooting occurred; saw no men running south on Twelfth; immediately ran north on Twelfth street about forty feet past the alley Henry Krause there turned around and ran around into the alley. Saw no one running south at any time. Saw no two boys standing on the south side of O street; they might have been there. The patrol wagon did not go to the Sheedy residence after the assault. Witness ran clear through the alley; thought Officer Adams did also.

Topping was Sober, but Saw no Men.

D. C. Topping, a blacksmith, was down but he opera house when the first shot was fired, and went north a little ways; went over that night or not; the record kept by him at that time would show it if it did.

He was shown the police record; said he made it himself, or thought he did; didn't know whether he was positive that it was his writing or that of Walter Melick. The record did not show that the wagon had gone out, and the witness said that he thought it had not gone to the Sheedy place that night.

This was to rebut the testimony of young Curry, one of the boys who claimed to have seen the two men running away, and who said that the patrol wagon drove up soon after he got there.

The state had been waiting and calling for Joe Screggins, but as he was not brought in Mr. Hall finally said:

"Your honor, the officers of the court do not appear to be able, to find the witness. We do not care to inflict any further delay, and have therefore concluded to announce that the state rests."

Judge Field said that a request had been made that the opening argument be postponed until Monday and if there were no objections it would be done. None were heard.

"I would like to have a definite understanding, however, among attorneys that this case is now closed, and positively no further testimony can be introduced. Mr. Bailiff, remove the jury."

A moment later court adjourned until 9 a. m. to-morrow, when Mr. Snell will make the opening argument for the state.

EAST LINCOLN.

Seip & Seybolt, real estate and loans.

Mr. M. L. Easterday had gone to Pennsylvani to attend the synod meeting of the Lutheran church.

Rev. L. W. Terry is snugly ensconced in the new Baptist parsonage at Twenty-sixth and Vine, and is pleased with it.

Professor Frank Easterday is suffering with laryngitis, the result of the wet weather while at camp with the university hand.

Mrs. M. L. Easterday entertained a few friends at her home, Twenty-fifth and T streets, Friday evening to commemorate her seventh wedding anniversary.

Miss Nellie Young, instructor, and Mr. William O'Shea, director of music at Wesleyan university, are preparing a musical treat for commencement week.

On Friday evening the ladies of the Vine street Congregational church gave an ice-cream social to their friends, which proved a success socially and financially.

The Eas Lincoln tennis club held a special meeting last night at the home of Miss Town, Twenty-fifth and Vine streets, to complete arrangements for the season's campaign.

The lecture on flowers by Professor Bessey of the state university, to the ladies' aid society of the Vine street Congregational church Wednesday evening was enjoyed by a large and appreciative audeince.

Wednesday evening of this week the choir of Grace M. R. church, directed by Professor Crosswaite, will give a concert to the congregation and friends. Much time and careful preparation has been given to rehearsals, and an excellent programme will be presented. The choir has been under thorough training for one last six months. All lovers of song and oratory of East Lincoln are invited.

Mr. J. R. Carson, who died at his home, Twenty-eighth and W , Friday morning, will be missed by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He was a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F., and was well and favorably known in the latter fraternity, although he did not affiliate with the Lincoln lodges. He had been suffering with kidney trouble for some years. The funeral will take place at Grace M. E. church at 10:45 this morning.

The East Lincoln C. L. S. C. held its last meeting of the year at the home of Miss Lutie Thomas 614 North Twenty-sixth street, Friday evening. This closed a series of most pleasant and instructive evenings of literary and scientific work. The society in East Lincoln was organized three years ago by Mr. A. G. Greenlee and others, and each year increases in membership and interest. The prospects for a larger and better class next year are good. The only member of the class who graduates this year is Miss L. B. Thomas, she will attend the exercises at Lake Chautauqua in July, where she will represent the East Lincoln circle with honor.

The Lincoln Ice company now makes daily trips to any part of the city. Telephone 225, office 1040 ) street.

4 Meteorological.

UNIVERSITY STATION, LINCOLN, May 23, 9 p. m.-- The following is the report of to-day;s weather from the University Meteorological station:

7 a. m. 2 p. m. 9 p. m.

Dry bulb thermometer.......... 59 55 56

Wet bulb thermometer..........48.5 53 51

Dew point.............................47 52 52

Relative humidity...................90 88 88

Barometer (sea level)..............80.19 50.12 30.00

Direction of wind...................E S E S E

Force of wind per hour...........6 12' 12

Clouds expressed in tenths.....10 10 .6

Daily mean temperature................................... 54

Highest temperature during 24 hours ending 9 p. m. ....................................................................... 60

Daily mean relative humidity............................ [88?]

Maximum relative humidity during 24 hours ending at 2 p. m. .............................................................. 90

Minimum relative humidity during 24 hours ending at 2 p. m. .............................................................. 84

Daily mean barometer sea level ....................... 30.16

Maximum barometer (sea level) during 24 hours ending at 2 p. m. ........................................................ 30.23

Minimum barometer (sea level) during 24 hours ending at 2 p. m. ........................................................ 30.04

Change of barometer during 24 hours ending 9 p. m., fall ...................................................................... 09

Total movement of wind for 24 hours ending at 2 p. m. ...................................................................... 160

Maximum force of wind per hour,for 24 hours ending at 2 p. m. ........................................................... 22

Minimum force of wind per hour, for 24 hours ending at 3 p. m. ........................................................... [?]

Character of day .............................................Cloudy

Precipitation Rainfall................................... --
Snowfall.................................. --

Order Ice of the Lincoln Ice company 1040 ) street. Telephone 225.

SPECIAL ORDER NO 3.

Members of Farragut Post No. 25. G. A. R. Attention.

You are commanded to meet at the state house on the Sunday, May 24, 189[?], at 10 o'clock sharp, with proper memorial badge, for the purpose of attending divine services at the Christian church, by invitation of the elder, C. B. Newnan.

All ex-soldiers, sailors and marines are cordially invited to join with the post and participate in the services in memory of our noble dead.

By order of M. HOWE,

A. M. TRIMBLE, Commander.

Adjutant

Farragut Relief Corps.

The members of Farrgut W. R. C. are requested to meet at the capitol at 10 a. m. to attend in a body the memorial service at the Central church of Christ, corner of Fourteenth and K streets.

NANNIE ANTILL,

Corresponding Sec'y Pro tem.

AND OFFENSIVE BREATH

and dry throat are promptly relieved by a drink of Sulpho-Saline, bottled at Excelsior Springs, MO.