Gilded Age Newspaper Articles

SHEEDY'S REMAIS EXHUMED. ------- Physicians Hold an Autopsy on the Body of the Murderd Man ---------- A SENSATIONAL DISCOVERY MADE. -------

Nothing to indicate That Death Re suited From the Blows Received --Countents of the Stomach Being Analyzed.

LICOLN, Neb, Jan. 19. ---[Special Telegram to THE BHE.]---At midnight last night the remains of Mr. Sheedy were exhumed and removed to an undertaking estab lishemnt, where as autopsy was held this morning under the direction of Coroner Holyoke, by six physicains. it had been supposed by Drs. Hare and Everett, the physicans who waited on him, that Sheedy had died from the effects of the blow received on his head, and they told the newspaper men and friends of the deceased that death was caused by a hemorrhago of one of the blood vesseis at the base of the brain caused by the blows received. This the physicians evidently believed. In the autopsy today a careful examination was first made of the brain. The physicains were astonished to find no evidences of a clot or rupture of any blood vessel whatever un any portion of the brain. The fact was then forced upon the doctors making the autopsy that Sheedy was not killed from the affects of the blow. This discovery has created a profound sensation. The contents of the stomach of the murdered man are being analyzed at the state university, and the result of this inverstigation will not be know before tomorrow. The body was embalmed, but not long enough to have the fluid affect the contents of the stomach. The coroner's jury met again this afternoon and held a secret session as usual. Two witnesses were examined. Monday McFarland, the negro employed to murder Sheedy, and A. Harry Waistrom, the young dude who is under arrest on the charge of being a party to the conspiracy. Waistorm denied having been criminally intimate with Mrs. Sheedy, but admitted that he had been out with her after night by appointment. He also admitted having carried on a correspondence with her. He knew that Detective Malone had found out who had carried the amatory episties between him and Mrs. Sheedy. A visit was then made to Walstrom's room in the Heaten block, on O street, but a thorough search failed to reveal any of the letters. It is belived that they had been destroyed. Monday McFarland was then put on the stand and the jurors were astonished to hear him reiterate the very same confession that he made to the mayor, marshal and a number of policmen yesterday. After testifying McFarland was taken to the county jail. J. J. Stepney and Harry Cowter had been arrested to appear as winteseses. Stepney was the man with whom McFarland exchanged coats twenty minutes before the attempted murder. The murder of Sheedy and the discovery of the devilish plot is still the all-absorbing topic of conversation in this city. Without McFarland confession of having laid in wait for Sheedy for the purpose of braining him, there was enough evidence gathered by Detective Malone and Marshal Melich to convict him, they having turned him directly to the home of Mr. Sheedy within ten minutes after the assult. At first McFarland claimed that the cane with which the murder was committed was bought for a costomer of his. who had left for the Black Hills, and he gave a very close description of the imaginary fellow. After McFarland had confessed his full connection with the crime he was asked how he had given such a complete descrption of a man who had never existed. McFarland then admitted that this descrption was gotten up by Mrs. Sheedy and she had taken great pains teaching it to him. Another suspicious circumstance is the alleged fact that the female domestic at Mr. Sheedy's home was sent away at noon on the day of the murder, and was given permission to stay until midnight to appear before the coroner's jury. At pressent Mrs. Sheedy is the central object of interest. She has led an eventful career, although she is still young. Although yet under thirty she has been married three times. Her first husband's name was McCool and the fellow while she was living with him was sentenced to the penitentiary at Joliet, HL, for forgery. She then married a stonemason named Merrill. Shortly after wards she came with Merrill to Lincoln. This was in 1886. A few months later Merrill left his wife here while he went back to Ilinois, and it is said that it was during this absence that she became intimate with Sheedy, who afterwards secured her divorce, and it is reported, paid Merrill considerable money to stay away from Lincoln. Considerable comment has been caused by the fact that no money can be found belonging to Sheedy. There is not even a cent to his credit in any of the banks. Walstrom raises a great objection to his being locked up in a cell when he claims that he is innocent of any connection with or knowledge of his crime. On his hand wwas found a diamond ring belonging to Mrs. Sheedy. This was first identifed by Detective Malone. Walstrom has told two differnt stories about the ring-- first, that he got the ring in Buffalo, N. Y. , and second, that a cyprian here in love with him let him wear it. Mrs. Sheedy has not been taken to jail and will not be, but will instead enjoy the hospitaitly of Marshal Melick's home until her preliminary examination is held.

THE STORY OF THE MURDER

An Effort to Bring it Out at the John Sheedy Inquest.

HIS YOUNG WIFE MAKES NO STATEMENT

Damaging Testimony of Walstrom's Room Mate---Greyna Has a Quiet Sunday---Antics of a Demented School Teacher.

Lincoln, Neb, Jan. 20.---[Special to THE BEE.]---The coroner's jury in the Sheedy murder case resumend its session this morn ing, but it was witth closed doors. There were a number of witnesses examined this morning The doctors who had the autopsy in charge were examined. A great deal of testing, but the physicians were a unit in swearing that death did not result from the blow of the cane. The heart showed signs of incipent fatty degenceration, and several of the doctors were not exactly certain whether a sharp blow on the head would not cause heart failure. One physician was of the opinion that if the analysis of the stomach did not show traces of poison it did not necessarilly follow that poison was not adminitered. It might have been absorbed in the time that had elapsed from its adinistartion until the holding of the post mortem. Another physician who had been in attendance upon Mr. Sheedy during Sunday night was absent from the room for a short time and when he returned found that his patient had suddenly relapsed into unconsciouness, from which he never awoke. The stomach is probably in the hands of a chemist by this time, but in whose the authorities anturally do not care to tell. If in Prof. Nicholson's possession it will be several weeks before a complete analysis can be made, as his other duties prevent him from devoting all his time to the analysis. Dennis Sheedy offered to take it to Denver and have one of his chemists examine it, but the authorities decided that they could not allow it to be taken outside the city. Another witness examined this morning was the domestic employed at Sheedy's. She said that her mistress was always apparently happy about the house, and treated wintenss and all the others very nicely. She had seen McFarland at the house a number of times when he was on his hair dressing expedition, but never saw anything improper in their relations. She was not there the Sunday evening of the assault, having been permitted to go on a visit with some friends. She was loyal to Mrs. Sheedy and storgly of the opinion that she was innocent. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon the jury re sumed its session. The first witness examined was John Klausner, the eighteen-years-old youth who had been rooming with Walstrom, the young lovers of Mrs. Sheedy. Klausner testified that about three years ago he had worked for Mrs. Sheedy and he thereby became acquainted with her. Of late witness had been employed in Brown's restaurant. About September 17 and 18 Mrs. Sheedy recommended witness to room with a nice young man named Walstrom. She said that the young man would be in town only a month or two and that he would pay the greater portion of the rent. Sometimes afterwards Mrs. Sheedy told witness that the reason she wanted him in the room with Walstrom was because she wanted him to carry notes for her to Walstrom. Witness picked out room in the heater block. Walstrom paid most of the rent. Mrs.Sheedy send the first note. It was about two weeks after the time that Walstrom and witness commenced rooming together. Mrs. Sheedy also send lunches to Walstrom. There was cold chicken, salad, porter and wine in the baskets. The hired girl sa Mrs. Sheedy give these lunches to witness for Walstrom and the girl received the empty baskets afterwards. The hired girl also saw him receive notes for Walstrom. Mrs. Sheedy also sent a littlle satin ring pouch for Walstrom. This was about three weeks before witness saw Walstrom wearing the diamond ring. Walstrom claimed that the ring came to him through the express office. On the night that Sheedy was shot at, Charley Carponter came over to Walstrom's room and informed him about to the assault. The day following the shooting Charley Carpenter went to he place where the witness was attending the business college, and told him that Mrs. Sheedy had a note for him to carry to Walstrom. No notes were carried within the week preceding the last assault on Sheedy. Mrs. Sheedy seemed to think a great deal of Wahlstrom. Wahlstrom told witness he was from Birmingham, Ala. That he had to leave that place becouse he got into trouble with a girl. Mrs. Sheedy had told wintness that she and her husband could not get along toghether and she wished to get a divorce. She said further to him that Sheedy was jealous. That one evening Sheedy became very angry because Wahlstrom spent the evening with his wife. Witness did not know personally of any criminal relations between Wahlstrom and Mrs. Sheedy. Witness never got into his room until midnight as he had work that kept him up late. One night he learned from the hired girl in Heater block that a women had been in the room with Wahlstrom before witness came home. Did not learn who the woman was. Mrs. Sheedy gave Klausner money at differnt times for carrying the letters back and forth between the two. The day after McFarland struck Sheedy with the cane Mrs. Sheedy sent the witness Klausner to Wahlstrom's room to tell that young man that Mr. Sheedy was getting worse. After Sheedy died Mrs. Sheedy sent the following message to Wahlstrom by Klausner: " Come to the funeral. If you don't, I'll never think anything og you." Klaunser further testifed that both Mrs. Sheedy and Wahlstrom always conioned him not to let anyboday else receive the notes eetursted to him. The witness testifed that he was a student at the business college and worked at Brown's restaurant to pay his board. He was put under $ 500 bonds to appear as a wintness and in default was taken to jail. Mrs. Sheedy, The wife of the murdered man, was then called. She appeared at the door with Marshall Mellck and her attonrney, Strode. The lawyer declared that Mrs. Sheedy should not be taken before the jury unless he was by her side to prompt her and object to such question being asked that would in any way incrimate her. To this the jury objected, the members declaring that thery were not trying the women, but were endeavoring to pass intelligent opinion on the cause of John Sheedy's death. "Mrs. Sheedy a week ago declared her willingness to pay $10,000 to discover the murderer," said one of the jurors, " and why should she now fear anything of she anxious to bring the facts to light." Finally it was decided that rather than have a scene it was better to allow her attorney to come in with her and the result was that she refused to answer a single question asked her. She is a remarkably handsome and well developed young women of possibly twenty five and her appearance bfore the jury created considerable of a sensation. She was dressed in black, wrote a jaunty hat and a thin veil.

DAMAGING TO MRS. SHEEDY

Sensational Disclosures Made by a Nephew of the Murdered Man.

SHE POURED A LIQUID INTO HIS COFFEE.

Young William Spelts Captured a Couple of Thieves Who Were Stealing His Father's Hay- Lincoln News.

LINCOLN, Neb, Jan. 22. - [Special to THE BEE]- The people of Lincoln were surprised today to learn that the analysis of the contents of the stomach of John Sheedy, the murdered man, has not been commenced and may not for some time. This will continue the session of the coroner's jury indefinitely and prolong the uncertainty hovering over the cause of Sheedy's death.

The stomach is still in the possession of Cornoner Holyolse. Prof. Nicholson states that he has not yet refused to make the analysis because the money is not forthcoming. He says that he has positively refused to take charge of the work because his duties as director of the experimental station and as chemist take all his time and he is unable to devote any time to the analysis.

Naturally the people of Lincoln manifest a feeling of indignation at the delay on this important work.

At 4 p. m. the cornoner's jury resumed its investigations in the case. The first witness called was Rev. M. E. Walsh, a Catholic clergyman. The session was held in secret. The object of examining the priest was because it was reported shortly before Mr.Sheedy's death Mrs.Sheedy had asked the clergyman to urge her husband to make a will.

The reverend father proved an excellent witness. He told how Mrs.Sheedy had claimed that her husband was insane and wanted him to urge Sheedy to make a will; that she could not get along with her husband and did not love him. Witness was at the Sheedy home shortly after the assault and thought that Mrs. Sheedy's actions were very suspicious. Testimony was then given that strenghtened the statements pf the negro, McFarland in regard to Mrs.Sheedy being in a critical condition at one time on his (McFarland's) account.

Dennis Sheedy, a nephew of the deceased, testified that he went to his uncle's home the evening that Mr.Sheedy was assaulted: that Dr.Hart gave some medicine to the injured man that would not stay on his stomach. The doctor asked Mrs.Sheedy to get some coffee on which he could put the medicine for her husband. She did so, but before bringing it poured some liquid into it out of a bottle. Witness did not know what the liquid was. The testimony produced a profound sensation, as it is believed that at that time Mrs.Sheedy pored poison into the coffee.

CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY.

Mrs.Sheedy, McFarland and Walstrom Will Be Tried for Murder

IMPORTANT EVIDENCE NOT PUBLISHED.

Verdict of the Coroner a Jury- A Reciever for the collapsed Hastings Bank- A Attempted Suicide - A Farmer's Mishap

LINCOLN, Neb. Jan. 23- [Special to THE BEE]- The preliminary hearing of Mrs.Mary Sheedy. Monday McFarland and A. Harry Walstrom for the murder of John Sheedy on the night on January 11, was to have taken place before Judge Houstan this morning, but by consent of all the attorneys in the case it was continues until next week, the date to be fixed hereafter.

Shortly after 1 o'clock the jury came to a verdict, having decided that there was evidence enough without waiting for the result of the analysis of the contents of the stomach. The verdict was handed to the coroner shortly after 2 o'clock. The document is a long one and full of technical terms, but in brief the jury finds that on the first count John Sheedy came to his death on the night of January 11, 1891, by blow administered by Monday McFarland with a steel cane covered with leather, and holding Mrs. Mary Sheedy and Andre Harry Walstrom as accessories.

The second count charges Mrs. Mary Sheedy with the murder of her husband and finds that she did administer a certain mixed preparation of deadly poison of John Sheedy and holds Monday McFarland and Andrew Harry Walstrom as accessories.

The Jurymen acknowledge that some of the most important testimony has not yet been made public.

The Verdict meets with general public approval.

THE SHEEDY MURDER CASE.

Preliminary Examination of Three Accused Set for Today.

PROBABILITY THAT IT WILL BE POSTPONED

Some Interesting Figures from the Report of the State Commissioner of Public Lands and Buildings.

LINCOLN, Neb, Jan 25.-[Special to THE BEE]- The preliminary examination of Mrs.Sheedy, Harry Walstrom and Monday McFarland on the charge of murdering John Sheedy is fixed at 2 p. m. tomorrow, but as the chemical analysis of the contents of the stamach has not yet been made it is probable that the case will be continued, although the prosecuting attorneys believe that there is already sufficient testimony to hang Mrs.Sheedy were she not a pretty woman.

Mrs.Sheedy's attorney, J. B. Strode, was formerly her teacher at Abingdon, Ill., when she was Mollie Gabriel. She is thirty-five years old but looks much younger.

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.

For several days past particular odors have been pervading the corridors of the state house. They have been due to spontaneous combustion generated in the fuel-vault connected with the furnace room south of the capital. About one hundred tons of coal slack were stored in this vault and a few days since it became apparent that spontaneous combustion had started a smoldering fire somewhere in this great heap of fuel. Dense voldmes of smoke and gas rolled out of the vault and passed through the subterranean pipes into the state house until it became necessary to disconnect the furnace. An effort was made to get the hidden fire out to no avail, and a force of men was set to work yesterday to remove the coal from the vault . It must all be wheeled first into another apartment and then lifted by means of a small elevator to the surface, where it will be aired and dried. The work removal from the vault was no small task. The shovelers, owing to the heat and stifling gases , could only remain in the vault a few moments at a time, although a large section of the roof had been torn away to permit fresh air to enter and the foul air to escape. Some of the coal taken out was at a red heat , and streams of water from a hose was kept playing upon the mass as the workmen penetrated it. The floor and walls of the vault are of brick and stone so no serious damage will ensue. It will probably take several days to remove the fuel and extinguish the fire.

LAND COMMISSIONER'S REPORT.

The biennial report of the state commissioner of public lands and building is now out and shows the following facts and figures:

Under a grant of congress, there have been selected by the state and confirmed by the general land office for several educational purposes , the following amounts of land: Common school land 2,733,500.16 acres; agricultural college land 89,140.25 acres; state university land 45,626.06 acres; state normal school land 12,804.80 acres; total 2,880,871.27.

Of the common school land, 1,436,304.19 acres are under a contract of lease ; 558,873.65 are under a contract of sale; 223,419.48 acres have been deeded, and 517,908.89 acres are still vacant.

Of the agricultural college land, 40,811.76 acres are leased, 45,859.99 acres are under contract of sale; 2,429.07 acres have been deeded and 40 acres are still vacant.

Of the university lands 19,895.80 acres are leased; 22,225.37 acres are under contract of sale; 2,544.91 acres have been deeded and 700 acres are vacant.

of the normal school lands 360 acres are leased; 10,108,82 acres are under contract of sale and 2,335.98 acres have been deeded.

This shows that 232,799.89 have been deeded leaving a balance of 2,548,141.88 acres to which the title is yet vested in the state. Of this amount [?] acres have been under contract of sale, 1,497,371.98 acres are leased and 528,802.89 acres are yet a part of the state's public domain. This makes a wonderful heritage for the educational interests of Nebraska.

There is now invested in United States bonds, state securities, and registered county bonds out of the permanent school fund the sum of $2,222,942.35, and cash in the Treasury to the amount of $522,364.86, making a total if $ $2,745,307.21 in this fund as compares with $2,100,744.45 two years ago, an increase of $644,562.76 in that period. The increase being 30 2-3 percent as compared with 13 4-5 per cent for the previous two years.

The cash in the treasury and the investments belonging to the permanent school fund amounts to $374,397.21. The unpaid principal on sale amounts to $8,766,782.61 , malding a grand total of $6,512,089.82, exclusive of the 1,497,371.95 acres under lease contracts and the 528,709.90 acres still vacant. The common school lands under lease contract are appraised at $3,182-139.77 with the annual rental of $190,937.95. This, together with the annual interest on the unpaid principals on the contract of sale which amounts to [?], makes a fund of $16,934.91 to be annually apportioned among the various school districts of the state in addition to the revenues derived from the investments of the permanent school funds in the state treasury.

THE DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

Mr.Willaimson S. Summers, the newly appointed deputy attorney general, os only twenty nine years of age. He is a graduate of Iowa state university and the department of law at Ann Arbor, Mich., and has taken special courses in Chicago and Cinciatti. He has been given degrees in literature, science, and law. He finished his legal studies in 1885, and chose Beatrice as his home.

ODDS AND ENDS.

The thirty-five gamblers who were arrested Friday evening will have their hearing tomorrow morning in the police court.

This evening at the Holy Trinity church Bishop Worthington administered the rite of confirmation.

[?] OF MARINE SUCTION

Important Decision of Judge Ricks in a Damage Suit of Collision

CLEVELAND,O., Jan 25- Judge Ricks of the United States district court gave judgment yesterday in favor is the libelants in the case of the collision between the steamers J.H. Devereaux and Alexander Folson in St. Mary's river in August. The Devereaux was held blameless. The decision was based on the testimony of Captain Kelly and Mallory, summoned as experts. It admits such a thing as suction in the channel describes, caused by two steamers passing each other and asserts that the violent sheer of the Devereaux, was due to this suction. This suction under such circumstances the judge holds is so well known to navigators that the master schooner Mitchell, in tow of Folsom, should have anticipated and guarded against the danger of the collision from that cause. He also expresses the opinion that with the wind blowing from the quarter stated it was gross negligence on the part of the master of the Folsom to have towed his consorts through the channel of Lake George in St.Mary's river, with sails set and drawing and that the speed of the Folsom and tow was too great, increasing the suction. The Devereaux was managed with skill and prudence for exculpated. H. F. Carleton is named as commissioner to report the amount of damage to the Deveaux. The amount claimed is $18,000.