Gilded Age Newspaper Articles

UNRAVELLING.

The Facts in the Sheedy Case Slowly Come Out. --------- Mrs. Sheedy Employes a Mes senger to Carry Notes to Her Lover. ---------- WALSTROM SUPPLIED WITH DAINTIES. ---------- From the Cunning Woman-She Keeps Him Posted as to Sheedy's Condition. ------------ She Will Not Talk. When it became known yesterday afternoon that the conore's jury was in session and taking testimony in the Sheedy murder case it was naturally expected that more starting develop-ments would be brought out. This was further anticipated when about 4 o'clock Mary Sheedy, the wife of the murdered man was called to the stand. But, whatever may be her connection with the murder or her actions previous thereto, she is a shrewd woman and gave to be coroner's jury literally nothing, but absolutely refused, as was her privilege, to answer the questions put to her. In the testimony given yesterday very little was elicited, then bearing directly upon the murderm but what was brought out continues ina manner to darken Mrs. Sheedy's prospects. It even tends to brace up the testimony of the negro. McFarland, that Mrs. Sheedy was the mental factor in the tragedy. As was stated in THE CALL yesterday the testimony of the hired girl was to be taken and it was for the purpose of establishing the relations of Mr. and Mrs. Sheedy. The public expected to find in this topics for general discussion of a divided household. but these expecations were knocked into smithercens when ANNA BODENSTEINER. the German domestic who has been with them for several years, took the stand and averred, despite the most rigid questionings that Mr. and Mrs. Sheedy lived happily peacfeully and apparently harmoniously. She admitted that McFarland had come to the houuse frequently to dress Mrs. Sheedy's hair but avowed that, to the best of her Knowlege and belief. the negro and Mrs. Sheedy and sustaine no criminal intimacy. She had known of Mrs. Sheedy sending frequent notes by a boy, but did not know where they went or what they contained. Though she was put through a cross examination she divulaged nothing that would materially damage Mrs. Sheedy. Four of the physicians who made the autopsy were also called to the stand to report their finding but stated no more than has been published in these columns, save that of no poison was found it would not necessarily follow that it had not been administred. A witness herefore unmentoned was also called to the stand during the afternoon, and his statemnts but a more convincing phase on the question of Mrs. Sheedy's admiration for Andrew H. Walstrom, the Buffalo young man who the day before was called to the stand and pretneded to have only a commonplace acquaintance with Mrs. Sheedy. JOHN KLAUSNER is a boy eighteen years old who has been working at Brown's restaurant. and it seems he also fell into the machinations of the wily Mrs. Sheedy. His testimony was to the effect that about the 18th of October Mrs. Sheedy sent for him to call at her house and he complied. She then make known to him her desire to have him room with a young gentleman friend of hers, who came from Buffalo. She told him to rent a room in the Hutchins block at Fifteenth and O streets and the next day fo to the Windsor hotel where he would meet the young man whose name was Walstrom. He did not ask any question as to the motive but did as requested, engaging room 9. On the following day he went to the Windsor and Walstrom identified himself and then both went to this room. They occupied this room for some two weeks then moved into a larger room, No. 11. The day following the first meeting of the two young men Mrs. Sheedy sent for Klausner gave him a sealed note for Walstrom and $2 for its safe delivery and told him to call at the house every other day at 4 o'clock in the afternoon in the afternoon, as Mr. Sheedy would then be absent. From that time on notes kept flying back and forth between the two, up to the afternoon following the night of the attempted shooting of Sheedy. Mrs. Sheedy frequently sent baskets of salads, chicken, bottles of wine and porter of Walstrom. Some-times Mrs. Sheedy and sometimes Anna Bodensteiner would pack this basket. Early in December Walstrom told Klausner he was expercting a diamond ring from home and a few days later he showed the ring to Klaunser. Klaunser was shown the ring and identifed it in the jury room. Sometime thereafter Mrs. Sheedy sent by Klausner a samll satin pouch to Walstrom to keep his ring in while not wearing it. The witness had heard Mrs. Sheedy say she did not like her husband and wished she could geta divorse ; that he was jealous of her and had thratenend to shoot her ; that her husband had struck her the day before she left for Buffalo and again threatened to kill her. Klausner further related that one morning in last December a chambermaid in the Hutchins block told him that one the preceding night a woman heavily veiled had called on Walstrom in his room and remained about an hour. but he did not question Walstrom about this matter, did not ask who the woman was, but thought it was Mrs. Sheedy. He also stated that on the night Sheedy was assaulted Charles Carpenter, a saloon keeper, came to the room and told Walstrom of the assault upon Sheedy, saying Mrs. Sheedy had requested him to bear the news and that she believed her husband daingerously hurt. This information was received very coolly and Walstrom remarked that some one undoubtedy held grudge against Sheedy. At six clock the next morninga to the room and told Klausner that Mrs. Sheedy wanted him. He went to the house and found Mrs. Sheedy bending over her husband's bed crying. She told him she anted him to stay at the house all day to run errands for her. He did so and during the day went after three phusicians at her request. During the evening she sent him to tell Walstrom her husband was orse and would die. After Sheedy died she sent him to Walstrom with the message that her husband was dead and that she wanted him to attend the funeral and in case he did not. she would never think anything of him again. He stated that Walstrom ha given him as his reason for coming to Lincoln that it was for the benefit of his health ; he had heard Walstrom speak of Sheedy's size and height. This was in the main Klausner's testimony of what knowledge he had of the affair This young man's parents reside at Emeraid, but he has not lived at home for three years. He worked for John Sheedy several years ago and Sheedy sent him to shool and paid all his expenses. He is now attending the business college and obtains his board by workig at Brown's. Walstrom paid his room rent with the understanding that it was to be paid back. The next witness called the defendant whom circumstantial evidence stamps as a most cuning plotter and undaunted schemer. MRS. SHEEDY Was ushered into the jury room by Constable Hunger, attended by her attorney J. B. Strode and Marshal Melick. In the outset Attorney Strode informed the coroner Holyoke and his jurors that they could not compel her to enter the fury room without her lawyer, as there was no authority for such proceedure. Therefore Mr. Strode was peritted to be present. Mrs. Sheedy was attired in deep mourning entire. Her manner and features were those of a woman without any emotion. Her demeanor as well as her countenance was serene and her face bore the stamp of a determination. She was cool and whoed not a trace of any mental strain of excitement. What success attended the examination of Mrs. Sheedy is hown by the following which is almost verbatim : " Have you any objection to stating further information on this question ?" " Yes, sir ; my attorney tells me I needn't say anything, and I don't care to say any more. " "Do you base your refusal in any way upon the fact that the evidence you give would be such as might tend to criminate you ?" " I refuse to say. " " Will you state whether or not you have ever sent or received notes from Mr. Walstrom ? " Mr. Strode---You understand her postion, gentlemen. She will not answer any question. You may go on and ask her questions as long as you want to. " When was Mr. Sheedy sick last?" Mr. Strode----she did not come here to give any testimony and if she follows my adivice she will not. Juryman Walters to Mr. Strode;---- " As her attorney you refuse to permit her to testify ?" Mr. Strode ; " I certainly do now ; not that you might convict her of any crime, but every word that she may utter even in her own behalf would be construed against her. She now stands charged with an offense that if proven against her, and if she is convicted of it, will take her life. Her life and liberty are at stake, and I as her sousel would advise her, as I would advise any prisoner that I was defending for any offense, not tp open her mouth until sshe is put on tr al, and she not new on trail, This is simply a court of inquiry. Until she became a prisoner you had the right to put her on the witness stand and ask her any questions you saw fit, but as a prisoner she has the right to take the advice of her counsel, and I have advised her the same as I would any other prisoner, to to give testimony until she is finally put upon trial. " Seeing that further questionings would be a waste of time, she was dismissed and given into the case of Jailor Langdon and now occupies a cell in the county jail. John Klausner will also be held as a witness as his testimony is very material. His personal recognizance in the sum of $ 500 was taken and pending the hearing a strickt watea will be kept over his movements. The court of inquiry resumed its business his morning and received testimony from Mrs. Charies Carpenter, Mrs. Tom Hood and Miss Hood. Neither of these gave any material or damaging testimony. Mrs. Carpenter knew that Sheedy and his wife had had some trouble, but the nature of it she could not say. Mrs. Hood knew that she met Walstrom and had heard Mrs. Sheedy speak of him in endearing terms and styled him her sweetheart. Miss Hood had also noticed a firtation. Agent Teas of the express office was called and questioned as to whether or not Walstrom had recived any valuable packages from Alabama. The only package that he was able to find on his records was that containing a pair of shoes. But no diamoned ring had been sent. that he could discover. Dr. O' Gorman was also called ot be the witness cahir but his testimony was of no great importance. He believed that the brain of Sheedy. as found in the autop y to be in a perfect endition. but the kindneys were not in their normal state, possibly because of the injection of embalming fluids ; did not believe the blow was the direct cause of death. This afternoon Mr. Heater. proprietor of the Hutchins block, and a minister will be given an opportunity of telling what they know of the case. The New Discovery. You have heard your friends and neigbors talking about it. You may yourself be one of the many who know from personal experince just how good a thing it is. If you have ever tried it you are one of the staunch friends, because the wonderful thing about it is, that when once given a trail, Dr. King's New Discovery ever after holds a place in the house. If you have never used it and should be afflicted with a cough. cold, or any throat, lung or chest trouble, secure a bottle at once and give it a trial. It is guaranteed every time, or money refunded. Trail bottle free at J. H. Hartley's 11 th and O st. Catarch and Consumption quickly and surely cured by Microbe Killer H. W. Bichwu. druggist.

WAS POISONED.

Such is the Finding of the Coroner's Jury. ------ McFarland and Mrs. Sheedy Charged Separately, with Walstrom, Accessory ------ JURY SAYS MIXED POISON WAS USED ------ The Prellminary Hearing of the Ac cused Takes Place Next Week --Jurors Dismissed. ------ The First Work Ended. The preliminary hearing of Mrs. Mary Seedy, Monday McFarland and A. H. Walstrom, for the murder of John Sheedy on the night of Sunday. January 11. was to have taken place before Judge Honston this morning. but by common consent of all the at torneys on the case it was continued until sometime next week, date to be fixed hereafter. The coroner's jury completed its work yesterday in hearing the evidence of Rev. Father Walsh of the Catholic church, whose statements in a slight measure corroborated those made by McFarland in regard to conversations between them. But his evidence was of no material interest. boing mostly of significant talks of Mrs. Sheedy prior to her husband's death. The most important part of his testimony was that Mrs. Sheedy became confidential with him. aside from making her confessions. and at one time gave him to understand that her married life had been very un happy; that her husband was at times crazy; that it would be a good thing if he would die, ect., and once astounded him by making the request that he in duce Mr. Sheedy to make his will. Dennis Sheedy was called to the stand but gave unimportant evidence and Monday McFarland was recalled but refused to answer questions ac cording to the advice of his attorney. Coroner Dr. Holyoke them adjourned the jury until February 6, but this was objected by several, on the ground that an adjourment should not be taken until a verdict was arrived. This morn ing the jury was reconvened to conside er such points as it had gleaned from the inquistions made and to render a verdict. ---------- The Verdict The Jury returned its verdict to the coroner about noon today, citing two counts for murder. It is long and full of the technical terms, but in short is that the jury finds that John Sheedy came to his death on the night of January 11. 1891, by a blow administerd by Monday McFarland with a steel cane covered with leather, and holding Mary Sheedy and Andrew H. Walstrom accessories . The second count charges Mary Sheedy with the murder of her husband and finds that she did adminster a cer tain mixed preparation of deadly pol son to the saud John Sheedy. and holds Mondy McFarland and A. H. Wal strom as accessories.

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.

HELD WITHOUT BAIL

Mrs.Sheedy and Monday McFarland Reamina in Jail.

A. H. Walstrom is Discharged and the Preliminary Trial is Brought to an End

The Confession Goes.

The preliminary hearing of the accused murderers has been brought to a close and Judge Houston has commanded Mrs.Mary Sheedy and Monday McFarland to be held for trial without bail. The alleged accomplice, A. H. Walstrom, was yesterday discharged, as had all along been conjectured that he would be, as there was no grounds to warrant connecting him in any way for complicity.

The hearing concluded yesterday afternoon in the council chambers in the city building and the room was densely packed. When the hearing was about to be resumed Judge Houston who has taken the matter under advisement, announced that he had considered authorities on confession and in the matter of that of Monday McFarland would permit it being admitted as evidence, whereupon Marshall Melick was recalled to the stand and allowed to repeat the confession of the negro, which was substantially as has been published in the columns of the city papers heretofore reciting that Mrs.Sheedy was to pay him the sum of $5,000 for doing the job how she had called him a coward for putting off the deed, etc, and claiming that he had sustained improper relations with [illegible]. The [illegible] Walsh was next placed upon the stand and sworn and in the course of testimony said that he had been in charge of Campbell parish, Franklin county, up to last Monday when he was removed by Bishop Bonacum. He said that last Saturday he was informed that Mrs.Sheedy wanted to see him at the county jail, but having been a witness before the coroner's jury he did not think it exactly the proper thing to see her, and he refused to go; but Bishop Bonacum told him to go and he went under protest on Monday. A private interview was refused and he saw her in the presence of Attorney Strode, Father Fitzgerald, and the jailor. Her demand was that he modify his statements before the coroner's jury or she would "make it hot" for him and he told her to proceed and make it as "hot" as she desired. An effort was then made to have him relate his conversation with the accused at her house prior to the murder, but after a short squabble Judge Houstan sustained the objection and ruled that the witness could not divulge anything Mrs. Sheedy had told him while acting as her spiritual adviser. Under this ruling he could then tell nothing Mrs. Sheedy had said to him at that interview, and after a little cross examination he left the stand, remarking incidentally that he only came to the hearing to show that he could not be bulldozed.

This concluded the testimony, and the attorneys made their arguments before the court in brief. Attorney Holmes being the first, and in support of his motion to dismiss Walstrom reviewed his connection with the affair and citing that all the young man had to do with it simply being an acquaintance of Mrs. Sheedy and from her receiving tokens or letters, but showing conclusively that there was no probable cause for holding him to appear at the next term of the district court.

Attorney Strode and Attorney Philpot also made motions to dismiss Mrs.Sheedy and Monday McFarland, each glowingly reviewing the case and painting rosy pictures of how they has been unduly suspicioned, etc, but the judge at the conclusion of their flights of oratory rendered a decision in language as follows:

"From the testimony that has been adduced before me, I believe that Mr. Walstromhas been an unfortunate young man. I think circumstances have gotten him into this unfortunate affair, and believe it my duty to discharge him under this showing. But as to Mrs.Sheedy and McFarland, I will have to hold them."

An effort was then made to have McFarland and Mrs.Sheedy admitted to bail and the judge took this matter under advisement until ten o'clock today, when he decided that they must be held without bail

HAPPY END OF A DUEL ------- HOW A DEADLY INSULT WAS PAID WITHOUT LOSS OF BLOOD. ------- Two Captains of the Same Regiment Attempt to settle a Score That Lingered from Their West Point Days--- Of Course a Lady Was the Cause.

An emblematic button of the Loyal Legion adorned the lapel of a cheviot coat worn by Mnj. Oscar Bell at the Albany. " A story, eh?" lauged the ex-army officer, as he detached his eyeglasses from the bridge of his nose and looked in a good natured way at the expectant reporter seated beside him. "Well, lemme see. The smoke of Shiloh is a chestunt now. and the battle of the Wilderness probably has been smothered from further interest by a profuse growth of weeds. By Jovel! I can give you a little incident that has never been in type. It happened in 1863, when our regiment was in camp at a little Missouri town called Lexington. I wore a captain's straps at that time and did the shouting for Company B. " The captain of Company D was named Henry Poor. Unknown to me he detested me, and all because I once made a pun on his name while at West Point. Being a young man of stringent means he was mortally offended. but later seemed to have overlooked an unintentional sally of wit that I got off at his expense among a group of fellow cadets. Well, when we got our commissions the loaded dice of fate threw us both in the same regiment. and when the war broke out we went to the front under the same colonel. As I said before, our regiment camped at Lexington, Mo., near Kansas City, or Westport, as it was known in those days. Among the events that transpired during the two weeks of our sojourn was a grand ball, given at the residence of a loyal northern woman, for Lexington, although a Missouri town, had great respect for the Confederate colors, and a great many of its citizens heartily sympathized with the southern cause. At the ball serverl of the officers of our regiment were invited--- Poor and myself included. THE CHALLENGE. "During the evening I placed my name on the programme of one of the Lexington belles, but when I called for the dance I was horrified at the discovery that my name had been deliberately erased and that of Poor substituted, evi dently by himself. When Poor and the young lady started off amid the seductive strains of the orchestra my blood fairly boiled with indignation. Later in the evening I caught Capt. Poor in the gentlemen's dressing room alone. I slapped him roughly in the face, and told him just what I thought of him. He did not resent it there, but the next day I received a challenge from him to fight a duel. " I had never fought a duel, and I hesitated some time, but rather than be accused of cowardice I consented. The matter was placed in the hands of friends, and one bright moonlight night five dark figures sneaked out the camp and into a neighboring wood. The fifth figure was that of a doctor of Lexington, who had been let into the secret and consented to act in consideration of a big fee for his services. To every appearance the duel was to be a tragic one, although I thought at one time I detected a slight smirk in the feattures of the seconds, who were mutual friends of the determined principals. " 'Measure off ten paces,' commanded the doctor as he wiped a tiny stream of Missouri nicotine from his chin whiskers. The doctor was to act as a master of ceremonies. The space was measured. " 'Bring on the weapons,' was the next command. The seconds brought forth an ominous looking bundle care fully wrapped up in oilcloth. Capt. Poor shuddered. I was equally nervous. Ugh! the weapons were evidently wicked sabers, and it could be a duel from which neither principal would emerge alive. We took our places ten paces apart and stood glaring at each other, patiently waiting for the supposed swords to be placed in our hands ready to pierce each other's heart. THE RESULT. " 'Gentlemen, here are the weapons,' exclaimed the doctor as two large baseball bats rolled out of the oilcloth. He advanced and placed one in the hands of each principal. ' Mind, gentlemen, you are not to violate the rule to keep ten pace apart. Are you ready?' " Capt. Poor and I gazed at each other. The seconds were doubled up on the ground in the conyulsions of laugher. Even the doctor smiled, and to cap the climax a silvery laugh from a woman's lips broke the stillness of the air as the fair cause of the duel strode on the dueling ground with eyes sparkling with mirth. " ' Do be sensible, gentlemen, and shake hands,' said she. 'There is going to be another party next Tuesday evening, and I will divide my programme of waltzes with you both if you do.' " I looked at Poor, and we met half way and shook hands. The ludicrous contemplation of a duel with baseball bats at a distance of ten paces was too much for us. We laughed heartily after casting a reproachful glance at the mischievous seconds who put the job up on us." At this juncture there was a rustle of satin near the hotel elevator, and the major arose in response to a signal from a well preserved lady. As he left the reporter he said, with a sly wink of his left eye, " I got that young lady for life, though, and Poor is up in the Sioux country now, and still a bachelor. " With these parting words he disappeared into the dining room with the wife of his romance --- Denver Republican.