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NEITHER OF THEM IS GUILTY

SUCH IS THE VERDICT IN THE SHEEDY CASE.

The Great Murder Trial Brought to a Close with a Surprise for All.

Monday McFarland and Mary Sheedy Liberated from Their Long and Agonizing Imprisonment and Inquisition.

A Pathetic Scene in Court

The closing scene of the greatest murder trial ever held in the state of Nebraska Friday afternoon was somewhat surprising to the public, in spite of the fact that the court's interpretation to the jury of the law governing the case had in a meassure indicated the probable result.

It was at about 3 o'clock that the rumor was noised about among a very few people that the jury was likely soon to come in, having reached a verdict. the attorneys, in the case, court attaches, defendants and press representatives were notified and soon assembled in the courtroom. It was 3:25 when the defendants came into court and resumed the seats they have respectively occupied during the fearful ordeal that has racked their physical and mental capabilities for almost four weeks. Mrs. Sheedy was accompanied by her three sisters, her brother-in-law and her uncle, while Monday McFarland was unattended except by Jailor Langdon.

Mrs. Sheedy was perfectly calm in her demeanor, although there was a slightly restless expression in her widely-opened, sad-looking eyes. There was not an indication that she indulged either fear or hope for the result. She was as unperturbed, to all appearances, as if she were sitting in a sanctuary nervously awaiting the opening song or the service.

Monday McFarland's features were actually lighted up by a succession of broad grins as he conversed in whispers with Mr. Woodward of his counself. He was evidently anticipating his liberation, but fearful that his anticipations were mistaken ones.

Hardly a minute had elapsed after their arrival ere the jury filed into their seats. There were less than 100 people present when Judge Field took his place upon the bench and the attorneys seated themselves around the table, as care had been taken to guard from the public the fact that an agreement had been reached.

"Open court," commanded Judge Field at 3:30, addressing Sheriff McClay.

"Hear ye! Hear ye! The honorable district court is now in session pursuant to adjournment."

"Call the roll of jurors, Mr. Clerk."

"James Van Campin."

"Here."

"George Albrecht."

"Here."

"J. C. Jensen."

"Here."

"Albert Ward."

"Here."

"Henry L. Willis."

"Here."

"Ed Young."

"Here."

"John Robertson."

"Here."

"C. S. Cadwallader."

"Here."

"Luther Batten."

"Here."

"Thomas Riley."

"Here."

"Gentlemen," said the court. "have you reached a verdict?"

"We have," replied Foreman John Robertson.

"The clerk will read it."

District Clerk Sizer stepped to the jury box and took from the hands of Foreman Johnson the roll of instructions from the court and a small white slip of paper, the usual form of a verdict.

The silence was oppressive as he returned to his desk, and it was noticed that neither of the prisoners flinched in the slightest. They were evidently nerved to bear the result cooly and bracely, whatever it might be.

"Gentlemen, you will listen to the reading of your verdicts as it will appear upon the records of this court," said Clerk Sizer, ere he read in clear but trembling tones the contents of the document.

"State of Nebraska. County of Lancaster. } ss.

February term, A. D., 1891, to-wit, May 29, 1891. State of Nebraska vs. Monday McFarland and Mary Sheedy.

We, the jury duly empanelled and sworn in the above entitled cause, do find the defendants, Monday McFarland and Mary Sheedy, NOT GUILTY as they stand charged in the information. John Robertson, Foreman."

The last words of the clerk were drowned in the loud shout of approval that went up from the few spectators present, and it took some time for Sheriff McClay to summon order from the reigning confusion.

As the words "not guilty" fell from the lips of the clerk, Mrs. Morgan, who at sat Mrs. Sheedy's left, with lightning rapidly, turned and folded both arms around her sister, whose head rested upon her shoulder as she showered her passionate kisses upon her If they uttered a word it was lost in the general aclaim. When Mrs. Morgan released that passionate clasp and Mrs. Sheedy raised her head, there was a gland of light in her eyes such as has never rested there. perhaps, for many years, if ever, and certainly never since that fateful night in January when John Sheedy met his tragic death. It was the light of commingled joy and gratitude which beamed upon her relatives and attendants as they clustered around her. Mr. Strode was hardly behind Mrs. Morgan in point of time, and though less demonstrative was probably nonetheless fervent in clasping her hand in congratulations.

As the words "not guilty" fell upon his hands in delirious applause, shouting his thanks to the jury in the very midst of the clamor. Messrs, Woodward and Philpott, his attorneys, fairly embraced him in the fervor of their congratulations, and amid it all the emancipated darkey actually looked as if he could not believe his ears, that the news was absolutely too good to be true.

Finally Sheriff Mcglay restored order and Judge Field addressed a few words to the jury congratulating them upon their liberation from the longest imprisonment ever undergone by a jury in the trial of a criminal case in Lancaster county and commending them for their attention during the trial. He then dismissed them, and turning to the overjoyed prisoners in front of him, he remarked:

"Monday McFarland and Mary Sheedy you are now at liberty."

Monday McFarland and his attorneys dashed at once from the room and were soon en route down into the city, Monday greeting his surprised acquaintances as they went along with an explanation of the verdict. An hour later he revisited the jail with Colonel Philpott was escorting him about the city exhibiting him with a great deal of apparent pride.

Mrs. Sheedy remained in court long enough to receive the congratulations of all present and to express her sincere thankfulness to the jurors, with each of whom she shook hands with grateful acknowledgments. Her sisters and attorneys did likewise, and it was noted that next in fervor to her thanks were those of her attorneys. Indeed Mr. Strode and Mr. Stearns looked about as triumphantly happy over the result as did their client and they were the recipients of about as fervent congratulations.

Mrs. Sheedy and her sisters returned to the county jail a few moments after the verdict and were seen through the grated window that bounded their sisters view of the world for so many weeks past evidently packing up her effects for her departure. In a half hour they entered a hack and were driven to rooms in the block on the northeast corner of Fourteenth and O. which the uncle and the sisters have occupied since the beginning of the trial.

The verdict was the topic of discussion everywhere last evening, and wide diversity of opinion prevailed. The opinion most generally expressed was that under the instructions of the court as to the law, the jury could hardly have rendered any other verdict upon the evidence.

It was learned that the jury, after retiring to its room, first took up the admissability of Monday's confessions in evidence. From the evidence offered on that point they concluded that it had been secured by promises of immunity and by threats of impending danger, wherefore they cut it out of their consideration entirely. Even then there were six in favor of conviction for Monday. All of them came around, however, at a little before 3 p. m. and the above verdict was agreed upon.

SERIOUS CHARGES BROUGHT

OMEGA MEDICAL MEN UNDER ARREST.

Patients in Their Cars at the Medical and Surgical Institute Alleged to Have Been Murdered.

Some Sensational Developments.

Omaha, Neb., May 29. -[Special.]- An investigation into the workings of the Omaga medical and surgical institution is likely to have the effect of cutting short the usefulness of that concern. The arrest to-day of President McLaughlin and his assistants, Drs. Sinclair and Williams, was the climax in the case and was brought about as the result of inquiries recently made by [?] Herrigan. The charge against the medical men is that of the murder od Miss Isabella Beaver, a young woman of Plattsmouth and a recent inmate of the institution, who died from the effects of an abortion and was buried in Plattsmouth. Yesterday Coroner Harrigan and Detective Haze visited Plattsmouth and disinterested the body. They returned early this morning and immediately began operations.

Dr. J. P. Williams was arrested at 2:15 o'clock at his house on SOuth Twentieth street by Sergeant Haze on a warrant charging him with murder. he was taken to the police station and locked up. Williams had $261 on his person, and he inquired if cash bail would be accepted. He was told "not for murder," and he was placed behind the bars.

The patrol wagon with a detail of police officers rolled away to the medical institute at 2:30 o'clock. The building was surrounded with police and officers entered carrying in their pockets warrants for the arrest of President McLaughlin, Drs. Sinclair and Hugheson.

Chief of Detectives Haze and Coroner Harrigan arrived from Plattsmouth in a special engine and at once repaired to the central police station, where Coroner Harrigan swore out the complaint of murder.

Haze and Ormsby roused President McLaughlin in his room and ordered McLaughlin to dress. The warrant was read to him and he was taken in the patrol wagon and escorted to the police station and locked up. Bail was refused in each instance. Stories of other criminal actions on the part of the defendants are coming to light. The institute has been closed.

This evening a brother of Miss Beaver came up from Plattsmouth and held a consultation with the county attorney and police. He said he knew nothing of his sister's death save that she died at the institute. She told him she was being treated for tumor of the stomach. On learning of her death he took her to Plattsmouth for burial and ordered her baby buried here. He paid her bills at the institute.

To-night another murdered babe was exhumed from its grave in the rear of the institute. Information charging McLaughlin Sinclair and Williams with homicide by committing infanticide was filed this evening, the verbal charge of murder placed against them being withdrawn.

The prisoners were removed to-night to the county jail for safe-keeping. They will not talk. To-morrow they will be taken out for a preliminary hearing. I is probably that other charges will be preferred against them.

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