Gilded Age Newspaper Articles

SATURDAY

John Duck, on trail Judge Foxworthy's court yesterday afternoon on the charge of stealing hay from Bucker & Count of University Place, was discharged, defendant proving that he had purchased the hay which was found in his barn.

Bishop Bonacum in speaking about the charges of Bishop Burke of Cheyenne, said: "Bishop Burke simply intimates that the Cheyenne diocese would not be in existence were it not for my report to the propaganda recommending the continuance of the diocese, I merely acted in that matter as a secretary of the archbishop of St.Louis.

Is the Sheedy Home Haunted?

Mrs.Sheedy has gone to Scranton, Is., to visit her mother. She will remain there two or three weeks. She will not on returning live again in her late home, on Twelfth and P, but will, instead, rent a suite of rooms. Some superstitious people who have passed the Sheedy home after night claim that they can heat mysterious sounds like groans coming apparently from the house, although nobody is living there. These people profess to believe the place is haunted.

HUNTING THE WILL.

Attorney Courtnay's Safe Ranssacked for John Sheedy's Will.

The hunt for John Sheedy's will still continues with indifferent success. Among the persons engaged in the search is Col. Charley Crowe, the peerless sleuth. The colonel had made up his mind that the precious document reposed in the archives in the safe in Attorney Courtney's office. According he had been hovering about Courtney's office considerably of late. Yesterday Courtney says that Crowe ca,e into his office and astonished everybody by stretching himself out on a lounge and to all appearances going to sleep. This was the first time the colonel was ever seen with his eyes closed. But it appears Crowe was merely feigning somnolence. First Courtnay left, later Jake Oppenheimer was called away. Before Leaving, jake went through the form of awaking the sleeping detective and entrusting to him the keys of the office and safe.

A few hours afterward when Courtney returned he found that somebody had been ransacking his safe. Letters, Legal documents and other things were piled up in confusion, showing that there had been a hurried but thorough search.

"there was one drawer, however," says Courtnay, "that Crowe didn't get into," and he gave a significant look that might be construed to mean "and the object of his search was there."

FROM THE STATE CAPITAL

The Police Trying to Run Down the Assassin of John Sheedy.

HIS IDENTITY AT PRESENT UNKNOWN

Much Speculation as to the Real Name of the Man Killed in the Lincoln Hotel Elevator- Odds and Ends

LINCOLN, Neb, Jan. 13. - [Special to THE BEE]- At 9:54 last evening John Sheedy, the victim of a dastardly assault on Sunday night, died from the effects of the blow received. He had been unconscious since early in the morning, and although at one time an operation was almost determined upon, it was concluded that nothing could save him. All that remained for the physicians was to ease his last moments. The blood began settling at the base of his brian and the pressure upon that organ first brought unconsciousness, then total oblivion.

Publis suspicion as to the identity if the murderer is divided between the man peterson and Mrs. Sheedy's former husband, named Meril. The police are working, however, on another clue, and within twenty-four hours an important arrest may be made. Marshall Melick and Detective Malone are devoting all their time to the case, and are confident they can run the man to the earth . It was said that Mr.Sheedy recognized his assailant, but declined to give his name for private reasons. The belief was bolstered up by the fact that in the last two assaults Mr.Sheedy was anxious to have reporters believe that robbery was the motive. From what investigation has been made it is known that he employed a private detective to trace the man who committed the first assault. Further than this, he would hardly shield a man who had shot at him five times with the intent to kill. Important developments may be expected any time.

An inquest is to be held.

The murder is still exciting profound interest in Lincoln and there are consequently various speculations as to the motive that prompted the assassin to commit to the deed. Mr.Sheedy was well known throughout the west as a sporting man and has been eminently successful financially. He owns considerable property here, and it is estimated that the estate left by him is worth from $130,000 to $175,000. He was cousin of Pat Sheedy, the noted Chicago gambler. Dennis Sheedy, a brother of the deceased, is vice president of the Colorado National bank of Denver and general manager of the Holder smelter works. He is said to be a millionaire. Dennis has been summoned and is expected here today. Sheedy leaves no children and it is generally supposed that his wife will inherit his fortune.

CONCEALS A MYSTERY

Developments prove that there is considerable of a mystery concerning the identity of the man killed at the Hotel Lincoln yesterday afternoon, by getting his head caught in the freight elevator. To the manager of the hotel ho gave the name of J. Ed Knowles, but this it is almost certain, is not his right one. A man who has known, or at least claims to have known, Turner for some years says that his name was Samuel Turner. He told a reporter yesterday, and tells substantially the same story to Mr. Austin Humphreyof the hotel company, that he had known Turner when the latter was an engineer on the Burlington railroad running out of McCook. Turner was a member of the brotherhood of Engineers, and in the big strike of 1888 went out with the other members of the organization. His parents live near Council Bluffs,Ia, and a telegram was sent to a real estate man named Woods in Council Bluffs, who will notify the parents. Turner is about twenty-four years old, but his history whether married or single and what caused him to hide his identity under an assumed name is not known.

Cornoner Holyoke was early on the scene after the accident and assisted by Constable HUnger, empanelled the following jury: T. C. Munge, M. R. Davey, Isaac Freend, J. B. Lyons, R. B. Townsend and G. C. Small. They examined M. L. Crawford, the only witness to the accident, who told the same story he related this morning in THE BEE, and which is the only correct account of the accident published. They returned a verdict in accordance therewith, that the deceased came to his death by accident. The remains were taken to Undertaker Heaton's rooms and prepared for burial. They are being held to await orders.

THE SHEEDY INQUEST.

The murder of John Sheedy is still the all-absorbing topic of conversation. There are a number of clues but each is a very indefinite. The cane with which sheedy was murdered has been identified as one formerly belonging to Captain Carder of the police force. The captain himself identified the cane and says it was lost last may at the time that Bohannan's bars was burned. Other stories that might point to the persons connected with the crime are also related but for the time being the police prefer that these not be published.

This morning an inquest was held and for the first time in the history of Lancaster county it was in secret and consequently causes considerable indignation, and it was believed that such a proceeding was without the authority of law.

The jury was as follows: T. C, Munger, James Aitken, George Bosselman, Robert McReynolds. F. R. Waters and W. G. Mead. On assembling Mr. McReynolds moved that the inquest be secret, urging as a reason therefore that the jury was there for the purpose of finding out the guilty man and did not want the proceedings made public. This motion was carried unanimously.

Before calling any witnesses the jurrymen held an informal discussion of the matter, during which one of them insisted that Mrs. Sheedy be called first as she was but a short distance away when the deadly blows were given, that she was the last person that saw him before he was struck and was the first who saw him after the assault, and her testimony and therefore essential in order to form a proper basis of examination. Another juryman insisted that they should first examine Dr. M. H. Everett, who, from his window across the street saw the flash of Sheedy's revolver and hears the shots. It was further insisted by this juryman that the doctor had questioned Mrs. Sheedy about the assault immediately after it happened. The coroner stated that she was sick and confined to her bed, therefore she was not called to testify at that time.

C.M Capender, who was one of the first on the scene after the assault had been committed, was the first witness called. He knew nothing except what had been published in THE BEE, regarding the murderous assault.

Dennis Sheedy of Colorado, a brother of the deceased, accompanied by his attorney, D. G. Courtnay, was at the courthouse a short time this morning, but did not remain for the inquest. Mr.Sheedy was very desirous to have no inquest held, but the coroner insisted that the attending circumstances demanded an investigation and as a county official he declared it was his duty to hold an inquest. Mr. Sheedy is a fine appearing man and closely resembles his deceased brother.

Public opinion is still divided as to whether Sheedy knew who his murderous assailant was.

FROM THE STATE CAPITAL A Revengeful Witness Tries to Send an Innocent Person to Jail.

SENSATIONAL RUMOR IN THE SHEEDY CASE

An Old Lincoln Landmark Wiped Out by Fire - Stanton County Bonds-Sent to Prison for Writing a Vile Letter

LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. 15. [Special Telegram to THE BEE]- Games McGuire had his trial before Judge Houstan this morning on the charge of abstracting $10 from the proceeds of a check H. Calvert had cashed at the depot saloon. McGuire was there at the time, but denied the theft. The only positive testimony against him was that of a young fellow who said he was a farmer, but didn't look it. He swore that he had seen McGuire take the cash, but as a witness for the defense said he had overheard the "farmer" say that he had gotten even with that "sucker", his testimony was not regarded very heavily and McGuire was discharged

A SENSATIONAL REPORT.

The coroner's jury continued its investigation of the Sheedy murder at 4 o'clock yesterday and concluded this morning, but the proceedings are not known, though a rumor is afloat that a clue implicating some well known citizens was extracted in the course of the examination and that an arrest will follow, when it is expected that secrets that have been supposedly well guarded will be divulged.

Whether or not there are any foundations for this report is a question, but if the report be true an arrest may be expected within a few days

IS HE SHEEDY’S MURDERER?

McFarland, a Negro Barber of Lincoln, Confesses the Crime.

HE SAYS HE WAS BRIBED TO DO IT.

He Implicated the Victim's Wife in the Plot, but There is not Corroborative Evidence to Prove it.

Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 18. -[Special to The Ben.]- Mrs. Sheedy and Harry Walstrom were arrested late this afternoon charged with complicit in the murder of John Sheedy.

The arrest of Monday McFarland, the negro barber, last night, on the charge of being the murderer of John Sheedy, resulted today in a full confession by the colored man. He tells one of the most revolting stories of intrigue and crime ever known in the history of the state.

McFarland confessed that he was the cowardly assassin who made the assault on John Sheedy last Sunday night, but he said that it was not malice that prompted him to cmmit the act, but a bribe of $20,000 offered by Mrs. Sheedy to the negro murder her husband.

As is well known in Lincoln, Mrs. Sheedy lefter her last husband, who was a poor carpenter, to marry Sheedy, then a man of great wealth, although old enough to be her father.

It appears that she has been anything else than a true wife, and of late it is alleged she has become infatuated with a dapper young fellow. But between her and her new found love stood the husband, and in order to get rid of this obstacle, she, as McFarland alleges, employed the negro to kill the man who had often befriended him.

In order, McFarland says, to more completely get the negro in her power she became criminality intimate with him and today he exhibited to the mayor, chief of police and a detective most revolting evidences of his crime.

A few days before the murder of McFarland was noticed by an acquaintance lurking in a dark alley on P street, just a block from Sheedy's home. In response to a query as to what he was doing there he gave a very suspicious answer.

On the day before the murder Mrs. Sheedy is said to have been in McFarland's barber shop and there it is believed the final arrangements were made for the assassination of the woman's husband.

The above story is based almost solely on the confession of McFarland and is of course susceptible of better proof. The city is full of reports concerning the crime and the public must away a legal examination before a [?] conclusion as to the guilt or innocence of parties charged with complicity in the crime cane be formed. The terrible charge against Mrs. Sheedy made by McFarland lacks confirmation and the public will withhold its judgement until all the facts are brought out and the lady's testimony has been heard.

The can with which the crime was committed was a heavy steel rod, covered with leather, and was of penitentiary make. It was formerly the property of Captain Carder of the police force, but was lost about a year ago. It finally found its way into Goldwater's pawn shop and was bought there by McFarland five days before the murder.

After the assault the murderer dropped the cane and this was the only clue which the detective had to work.

There remain still more important developments, as it is believed by the attending physicians that Sheedy did not die from the effect of the blows alone. The body is to be exhumed and a chemical analysis of the contents of the stomach made.

Mayor Graham, Chief of Police Melic and Detective Melone could scarcely believe their own ears as the murderer, McFarland, unfolded the devilish plot concocted by Mrs. SHeedy to have her own husband assassinated in his home.

Mrs. Sheedy, McFarland says, told him that she would prefer having her husband killed some other way than being shot. Accordingly, McFarland, greedy for the $20,000 prize offered by the woman, decided to brain his benefactor. Accordingly he purchased the steel cane at Pawnbroker Goldwater's place. This weapon he showed to Mrs. Sheedy and after carefully examining the instrument of death, the woman expressed her approbation of this selection of a weapon that would do sure work in its deadly mission. She ordered that her husband be murdered that evening, but the negro weakend and failed to perform the terrible crime assigned to him.

As above stated, Mrs. Sheedy went to McFarland's barber shop a week ago yesterday and there it is believed she made final arrangements for the destruction of her husband.

On the night of the murder McFarland, in compliance with the orders of Mrs. Sheedy, slipped into the kitchen of Sheedy's home and remained conealed there. Again he weakened and implored the woman who was planning the assassination to let him out of the terrible job. Drawing a revolver, the desperate woman shoved it in the negro's face and threatened to kill him if he did not carry out the work assigned to him. Mrs. Sheedy then told the negro that Harry Walstrom of Buffalo, N. Y., the fellow who was in league with her, would readily perform the deed, but out of her love for Walstrom she did not wish him to do the work as long as she could buy plenty of others who were willing to do it for one-tenth the money offered to McFarland. All this time Mrs. Sheedy held a revolver in her hand and the negro between fright and fear that somebody else would get the $20,000 offered for the murder, decided to obey the orders of the woman.

Mrs. Sheedy then poured out an ordinary goblet over half full of whisky and gave it to the negro. He took it and drank it. MRs. SHeedy then told him, he says, that if he would only beat her husband with sufficient violence so that he would have to go to bed she would attend to the finishing of the job. She then ordered the negro to go to the front door and as soon as her husband stepped out to brain him if possible. She said she would get Sheedy out of the house if she had to propose a walk.

"The rest of the story," says McFarland, "is only partially known. Just after Mr. Sheedy stepped out of the front do', I was surprised to see that he turned toward me instead of toward the street. Mrs. Sheedy was on the other side of the do', and I believe that she closed the do' suddenly and shoved Mr. Sheedy out on the poach. I then let SHeedy have it, but he pulled his gun and commenced shooting at me. I started to run, but I tumbled off the poach. This was the only thing that saved me, as Sheedy shot five or six times befo' I fairly got on my feet again. I was shoo that I was killed, but I kept on running after I got up and I finally got away."

This ends the confession of the negro outside of a few minor points.

The wonderfully cool actions of Mrs. Sheedy immediately after the attempted murder of her husband is known to every newspaper man and every other person who was at the place within half an hour after the wounded man staggered back into the parlor. She was not the elast affected and when asked by The Bee correspondent if such assaults did not frighten her she turned the matter off in an almost gay manner with the remark:

"O, I am getting used to these things!"

Shortly before midnight that night Dr. Everett assured your correspondent that the injuries inflicted were not fatal or even serious and yet in less than a day afterwards Sheedy was dead.

This, coupled with the fact that Mrs. SHeedy told the negro, as the latter alleges, that she would finish the job in case her husband was badly enough injured to go to bed, has induced the coroner to dig up the body of the murdered man and submit the contents of the stomach to a chemical analysis.

The belief at present in Lincoln is that Mrs. Sheedy is the real assassin.

Harry Walstrom, the young dude on whom Mrs. SHeedy is said to have lavished her affections, is a resident of Buffalo, N. Y. Nine months ago Mrs. Sheedy visited friends in Buffalo, and it is said that Walstrom became smitten with her. What their relations were together is better known by the two than anybody else. This thing is sure: Walstrom followed her to Lincoln; and if the story as related by the negro, McFarland, is correct, was the real cause of the murder.

A good many stories are told concerning the relations of Mrs. Sheedy and her paramour, but for the ends of justice and deceney they will not bear repeating in the columns of The Bee. One, however, may be told, and that is that Walstrom had the shamelessness to go to Sheedy's funeral.

Shortly after 1 o'clock this afternoon, after McFarland made his confession, the home of Mrs. Sheedy was placed under police surveillance. A hack drove up shortly before 4 o'clock, but Chief of Police Meliek, believing that the woman was making arrangements to fly, arrested her.

In less than half an hour afterwards Walstrom was also placed under arrest. He was found in the Hutchins block, near Eleventh and O. He acted wonderfully unconcerned.

Walstrom admits that he was on intimate terms with Mrs. Sheedy, went out walking with her after night, etc., but denies any knowledge of the conspiracy to murder Sheedy. Mrs. Sheedy also denies that she knew anything about the assassination until after it happened. At 8 o'clock this evening she was taken from her home to a private residence, where two policemen were placed on guard over her. She will be thus confined until the preliminary trial. Walstrom and McFarland are both in the city jail.

The body of John Sheedy was exhumed at midnight and taken to one of the undertaking establishments, where a post-mortem examination will be held.

Special World's Fair Commissioners.

Washington, Jan. 18. - The army and navy officers who have been detailed as special commissioners to carry an invitation from the government of the United States to the other American republics and West India colonies to participate in the Columbian exposition and to use every endeavor to secure a proper understanding of the affair in the various countries, have received their letters of credence, instructions from the department of state and will start on their mission at once. Their instructions are very comprehensive and if carried out will make the Latin-American department one of the greatest features of the exposition. The commissioners not only represent the department of state, but the Smithsonian institute, agricultural department, national museum, medical museum, fisheries commission and other branches of the government also, and have detailed instructions from each. All the American steamship companies and several lines carrying the English flag have agreed to carry the commissioners and their collections free of cost, and advices already received indicate that they will have the hearty co-operation of the several governments to which the are accredited.

A Terrible Tennessee Tragedy.

Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan. 18. -An awful tragedy occurred here today, S. M. Fugette, cashier of the South Chattanooga savings bank, being shot and killed by his father-in-law, J. A. Warder, city attorney of Chattanooga. Warder is probably fatally injured and Mrs. Fugetter has a dangerous wound in the right thigh, Judge Warder came home at 1 o'clock in a drunken condition and went to Mr. and Mrs. Figette's room where the tragedy occurred. Exactly how it happened is not yet known, as Warder and Mrs. Fugette are not able to talk. Neighbors hearing the shots rushed in and found Fugette dead, with a bullet through his heart, and Mrs. Fugette lying on the floor, while Warder was struggling downstairs, with blood streaming from a wound in his breast. Judge Warder is on of the best known lawyers in the state, and during President Hayes' administration was United States district attorney for the middle district of Tennessee. The opinion prevails that he abused his daughter while drunk and the shooting resulted.

The Harvester Trust Dead.

Chicago, Jan. 18. -[Special Telegram to The Bee.]- Since the announcement of the breaking up of the harvester trust all sorts of stories have been appearing in regard to it. The latest is in a dispatch from Springfield, O., Which asserts that the trust scheme was not given up at all, that the statement given out for publication was only to blind the people and that the plans projected will he carried out secretly. Robert McCormick was shown the dispatch, said: "Springfield, O., seems to be the birthplace of many stories. There is not basis for this fabrication of the reorganization of the harvester company."

Westinghouse Creditors Meet.

Pittsburg, Pa., Jan. 18. - At a meeting of the creditors of the Westinghouse electric company yesterday a committee reported that they found $175,000 due the Pittsburg creditors and $300,000 to outside creditors. Vice President Banister told the committee that the company was doing well and would soon be a better paying basis. A proposition was offered the creditors in the shape of preferred stock to cover a certain percentage of the indebtedness. Some accepted and others want to consult lawyers. It is believed that the company will pull through.

Big Fire in Kansas Town.

Atchison, Kan., Jan. 18. -[Special Telegram to The Bee.]- A valuable portion of Horton, Brown county, was destroyed by an incendiary fire at 3 o'clock this morning, and the loss is estimated at $150,000. The fire included among other property the handsome building occupied by the Bank of Horton and owned by the Rock Island Railroad. Horton is a prosperous town of 5,000 inhabitants that five years ago was a cornfield. Its sudden growth was cause by the location of the Rock Island shops there.

Production of Precious Metals.

San Francisco, Cala., Jan. 18. - The annual report of Wells, Fargo & Co., of precious metals produced during 1890 in the states and territories west of the Missouri river shows: Gold, $32,456,916; silver, $62,930,831; copper, $20,569,092; lead, $11,509,571. Off the gold production $361,555 was from British Columbia. Mexico last year produced $12,689,000 in gold, and $41,564,500 in silver.