| 69HIRD TO KILL.
Monday McFarland Confesses
to Striking John Sheedy.
He Says Mary Sheedy Hired
Him to do the Awful
Deed.
DEATH NOT CAUSED BY CONCUSSION.
The Body Exhumed and an Exam-
ination of the Brain Proves
This.
More Yet to Come.
Now that an arrest is made and the skein of evidence touching the murder of John Sheedy begins to be unwound developments starting in their nature, and bearing upon their face tho showing of plasuibility are being made and find universal discussion. While many are surprised at the trun matters have taken. others are not. but rather expected them as soon as an investigation was begun.
Yesterday morning THE CALL announced the arrest of Monday McFarland. the colored barber, the night previous together with the circumstances that led up to such an arrest and suspicion of deep guilt.
But McFarland when arrested denied stoutly any guilt, and it was not until he was put through the " sweating process" and plied with questions so direct that he could not evade them that he unbosomed himself and gave what is claimed to be the straight story of
THE MURDEROUS PLOT.
Before Mayor Graham, Marshal Melick, Officers Kinney and stenographer McFarland early yesterday morning gave what he avers is the history of his connection in the murder of his best friend, John Sheedy.
Having acted in the capacity of hair dresser for Mrs. Sheedy for many years he was often at the hime of Mr. Sheedy at Twelfth and P streets, and during thses many visits became on very friendly terms with Mrs. Sheedy, enjoying her full respect and confidence.
In fact he states, so agreeable was he to her that she claimed to bear him more than a friendly feeling and confided her domestic affairs to him---and even going farther and entering into an unholy intimacy.
McFarland says that in November when he called at Sheedy's home to dress the woman's hair, Mrs. Sheedy made the terrible proposition to him, offering him a large sum of money and other favors to put her husband out of the way.
To this he clamis he refused to agree, but was finally imelled by fear to enter into the horrible compact, for she said she would kill him. Mrs. Sheedy wanted the work done quickly and he agreed to accomplish it before Christmas. As the days went by and McFarland brooded over the commission of the deed he bgan to weaken, but after consultation with Mrs. Sheedy. whom he visited frequently unknown to the husband and victim, his courage was braced up and they finally arrived at the conclusion that delays were dangerous and decided to carry out their palns.
THE FIRST ATTEMPT.
was made to end John Sheedy's days on December 19. This was a fruitless as well as a harmless one, because of the fact that McFarland was surprised.
He had filled himself with whisky and crouched beside the fence at Sheedy's home, expecting that Mr. and Mrs. Sheedy would approach the gate from the east, thinking they had gone to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, a few doors east, to spend the evening. Instead they had visited the Musee and as McFarland had not been advised of it he was expecting his victim to approach from the west, so when he reached the gate McFarland fired his revolver to statle Sheedy so that he could not so easily distinguish the false friend and servant.
He then escaped through the back yard. Notwithstanding this discouraging begining of the coolly-planned tragedy, Mrs. Sheedy was undaunted. She went for the colored hair dresser again and together they discussed the matter of putting the husband out of the way, resulting in a decision to carry out their plans before New Year's day. But they had learned something by the former attempt. It would not do to use a revolver. The deed must be done by a blow. The consummation of their plans was not realized by New Years, yet they still harbored the damnable deed in their minds and at last Mrs. Sheedy gave McFarland money with which to buy a heavy cane. which was decided upon as the best means of giving the fatal blow. Accordingly he went of H. Goldwater on North Ninth street. on Friday January 9th. and there purchased a heavy leather cane. This he hid under the steps of John Sharp's barber shop and left it until 5:30 p. m of the Sunday on which the blow was given. At that hour a week ago yesterday he procured this cane and secure in the darkness of that hour, went to the Sheedy residence, and was met on the back porch by Mrs. Sheedy, who told him their plans must be accomplished that night. To further nerve him for the deed she gave him fifty cents with which to buy a pint of whiskey, telling him that the blow must be given and if it did , not kill her husband she would do the resh all she wanted was to get him in bed and then she would find the means to remove him.
McFarland then went to Twenty-third and O streets and at a drug store bought the whisky, drinking the liquor and revolving the plans in his mind as he wandered back. He returned to the residence through the alley and was again met by Mrs. Sheedy on the back porch.
SHE GAVE HIM THE TIP
that Mr. Sheedy was going out in a few moments and that time had come for the commission of the murder. McFarland was told to go to the south end of the porch and when her husband was ready to step out she would raise the curtain and be mut then prepare to give the fatal blow. She then went into the house and returned with a goblet of whisky for her accomplice. He swallowed it and took his position. He had not long to wait ere his victim stepped out and McFarland omade his second attempt.
striking his this time. and with telling effect, for as the cane struck Sheedy's head he fell. But he was not long down, for straight way he began triring at the retreating figure of McFarland as it swept through the back yard and into the alley. McFarland fell twicem he was excited and so unsteadied by liquor. He fell as he stuck Sheedy with the cane and again he as he started to run, fir he collided with the lattice work. But this had no bad result for him and he was soon skipping away toward Thirteenth street through the alley. He went to the house of Officer Bates on O between Thirteenth and Fourtheenth streets, where his wife and childern were, and accompanied them home, going thereafter to a gambling joint where he put in the night and next day continued his debauch. It occurred to him, however, that he had dropped his cane on the porch when he struck John Sheedy and lest the absence of his cane and the finding of it at the house might cause suspicion he bought another of the smae kind. but not so heavy. Once after the night of the terrible deed he called at the Sheedy residence for the purpose of getting money, as he was to get $ 500 after the deed was done and the victim buried, but Mrs. Sheedy could not see him. The balance of the money was to be paid after the settlement of the estate.
This, in substance, is the version of the murder of John Sheedy, as told by McFarland, who confeses having done the deed ; done it for a price and through fear, at the instance of Mrs. John Sheedy, who wanted her husband put out of the way. But for what rea son? and now comes another chapter
While in Buffalo, N. Y., last summer for medical treatment Mrs. Sheedy met and admired a young man named H. H. Walstrom. Just the nature of their infatuation is not known, but it is known that Walstrom arrived in Lincoln shortly after Mrs. Sheedy had returned home last September. Through the kindly office of two prominent attorneys the young man was secured a position at the B. & M. shops, which position he held until a month or two ago. Meanwhile he was friendly with Mrs. Sheedy and was sometimes seem with her.
Through his wife Mr. Sheedy became acqainted with Walstrom. but it is supposed never dreamed of the true state of affais until some time ago when a diamond ring that he had given his wife was discovered to be worn by Walstrom. He questioned his wife regarding the whereabouts of her ring but she tried to satisfy him that she had lost it while enroute to the coservatory of music one night in pulling off her glove. There after he made known his discovery and was not known, suffice to say Walstrom was not a guest at Sheedy's after that, though it is suspected that the wife kept up her liasoss with the man.
In view of these facts and the straight-forward story of Monday McFarland, Marshal Melick yesterday afternoon put
MRS. SHEEDY UNDER ARREST. '
She was taken to his home and there guarded through the night. A little later in the afternoon H. H. Walstrom. her paramour, was also arrested at his rooms in the Hutchins block at Fifteenth and O streets and guarded over night at the Capitol hotel. Among his effects was photograph of Mrs. Sheedy, secured by him from her while in Buffalo, New York.
The statement of McFarland that the heartless wife would soon remove Sheedy after he was once in bedm and the general belief that he did not die from the effects of the blow received caused the coroner to have.
Sheedy's BODY EXHUMED
At eleven o'clock last night for a thorough oxamination. to determine the exact canse or to see if any foul means had been used to produce death.
Accordingly an autopsy was held this morning at the undertaking establishment of Roberts & Co., Drs. Holyoke, | 69HIRD TO KILL.
Monday McFarland Confesses
to Striking John Sheedy.
He Says Mary Sheedy Hired
Him to do the Awful
Deed.
DEATH NOT CAUSED BY CONCUSSION.
The Body Exhumed and an Exam-
ination of the Brain Proves
This.
More Yet to Come.
Now that an arrest is made and the skein of evidence touching the murder of John Sheedy begins to be unwound developments starting in their nature, and bearing upon their face tho showing of plasuibility are being made and find universal discussion. While many are surprised at the trun matters have taken. others are not. but rather expected them as soon as an investigation was begun.
Yesterday morning THE CALL announced the arrest of Monday McFarland. the colored barber, the night previous together with the circumstances that led up to such an arrest and suspicion of deep guilt.
But McFarland when arrested denied stoutly any guilt, and it was not until he was put through the " sweating process" and plied with questions so direct that he could not evade them that he unbosomed himself and gave what is claimed to be the straight story of
THE MURDEROUS PLOT.
Before Mayor Graham, Marshal Melick, Officers Kinney and stenographer McFarland early yesterday morning gave what he avers is the history of his connection in the murder of his best friend, John Sheedy.
Having acted in the capacity of hair dresser for Mrs. Sheedy for many years he was often at the hime of Mr. Sheedy at Twelfth and P streets, and during thses many visits became on very friendly terms with Mrs. Sheedy, enjoying her full respect and confidence.
In fact he states, so agreeable was he to her that she claimed to bear him more than a friendly feeling and confided her domestic affairs to him---and even going farther and entering into an unholy intimacy.
McFarland says that in November when he called at Sheedy's home to dress the woman's hair, Mrs. Sheedy made the terrible proposition to him, offering him a large sum of money and other favors to put her husband out of the way.
To this he clamis he refused to agree, but was finally imelled by fear to enter into the horrible compact, for she said she would kill him. Mrs. Sheedy wanted the work done quickly and he agreed to accomplish it before Christmas. As the days went by and McFarland brooded over the commission of the deed he bgan to weaken, but after consultation with Mrs. Sheedy. whom he visited frequently unknown to the husband and victim, his courage was braced up and they finally arrived at the conclusion that delays were dangerous and decided to carry out their palns.
THE FIRST ATTEMPT.
was made to end John Sheedy's days on December 19. This was a fruitless as well as a harmless one, because of the fact that McFarland was surprised.
He had filled himself with whisky and crouched beside the fence at Sheedy's home, expecting that Mr. and Mrs. Sheedy would approach the gate from the east, thinking they had gone to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter, a few doors east, to spend the evening. Instead they had visited the Musee and as McFarland had not been advised of it he was expecting his victim to approach from the west, so when he reached the gate McFarland fired his revolver to statle Sheedy so that he could not so easily distinguish the false friend and servant.
He then escaped through the back yard. Notwithstanding this discouraging begining of the coolly-planned tragedy, Mrs. Sheedy was undaunted. She went for the colored hair dresser again and together they discussed the matter of putting the husband out of the way, resulting in a decision to carry out their plans before New Year's day. But they had learned something by the former attempt. It would not do to use a revolver. The deed must be done by a blow. The consummation of their plans was not realized by New Years, yet they still harbored the damnable deed in their minds and at last Mrs. Sheedy gave McFarland money with which to buy a heavy cane. which was decided upon as the best means of giving the fatal blow. Accordingly he went of H. Goldwater on North Ninth street. on Friday January 9th. and there purchased a heavy leather cane. This he hid under the steps of John Sharp's barber shop and left it until 5:30 p. m of the Sunday on which the blow was given. At that hour a week ago yesterday he procured this cane and secure in the darkness of that hour, went to the Sheedy residence, and was met on the back porch by Mrs. Sheedy, who told him their plans must be accomplished that night. To further nerve him for the deed she gave him fifty cents with which to buy a pint of whiskey, telling him that the blow must be given and if it did , not kill her husband she would do the resh all she wanted was to get him in bed and then she would find the means to remove him.
McFarland then went to Twenty-third and O streets and at a drug store bought the whisky, drinking the liquor and revolving the plans in his mind as he wandered back. He returned to the residence through the alley and was again met by Mrs. Sheedy on the back porch.
SHE GAVE HIM THE TIP
that Mr. Sheedy was going out in a few moments and that time had come for the commission of the murder. McFarland was told to go to the south end of the porch and when her husband was ready to step out she would raise the curtain and be mut then prepare to give the fatal blow. She then went into the house and returned with a goblet of whisky for her accomplice. He swallowed it and took his position. He had not long to wait ere his victim stepped out and McFarland omade his second attempt.
striking his this time. and with telling effect, for as the cane struck Sheedy's head he fell. But he was not long down, for straight way he began triring at the retreating figure of McFarland as it swept through the back yard and into the alley. McFarland fell twicem he was excited and so unsteadied by liquor. He fell as he stuck Sheedy with the cane and again he as he started to run, fir he collided with the lattice work. But this had no bad result for him and he was soon skipping away toward Thirteenth street through the alley. He went to the house of Officer Bates on O between Thirteenth and Fourtheenth streets, where his wife and childern were, and accompanied them home, going thereafter to a gambling joint where he put in the night and next day continued his debauch. It occurred to him, however, that he had dropped his cane on the porch when he struck John Sheedy and lest the absence of his cane and the finding of it at the house might cause suspicion he bought another of the smae kind. but not so heavy. Once after the night of the terrible deed he called at the Sheedy residence for the purpose of getting money, as he was to get $ 500 after the deed was done and the victim buried, but Mrs. Sheedy could not see him. The balance of the money was to be paid after the settlement of the estate.
This, in substance, is the version of the murder of John Sheedy, as told by McFarland, who confeses having done the deed ; done it for a price and through fear, at the instance of Mrs. John Sheedy, who wanted her husband put out of the way. But for what rea son? and now comes another chapter
While in Buffalo, N. Y., last summer for medical treatment Mrs. Sheedy met and admired a young man named H. H. Walstrom. Just the nature of their infatuation is not known, but it is known that Walstrom arrived in Lincoln shortly after Mrs. Sheedy had returned home last September. Through the kindly office of two prominent attorneys the young man was secured a position at the B. & M. shops, which position he held until a month or two ago. Meanwhile he was friendly with Mrs. Sheedy and was sometimes seem with her.
Through his wife Mr. Sheedy became acqainted with Walstrom. but it is supposed never dreamed of the true state of affais until some time ago when a diamond ring that he had given his wife was discovered to be worn by Walstrom. He questioned his wife regarding the whereabouts of her ring but she tried to satisfy him that she had lost it while enroute to the coservatory of music one night in pulling off her glove. There after he made known his discovery and was not known, suffice to say Walstrom was not a guest at Sheedy's after that, though it is suspected that the wife kept up her liasoss with the man.
In view of these facts and the straight-forward story of Monday McFarland, Marshal Melick yesterday afternoon put
MRS. SHEEDY UNDER ARREST. '
She was taken to his home and there guarded through the night. A little later in the afternoon H. H. Walstrom. her paramour, was also arrested at his rooms in the Hutchins block at Fifteenth and O streets and guarded over night at the Capitol hotel. Among his effects was photograph of Mrs. Sheedy, secured by him from her while in Buffalo, New York.
The statement of McFarland that the heartless wife would soon remove Sheedy after he was once in bedm and the general belief that he did not die from the effects of the blow received caused the coroner to have.
Sheedy's BODY EXHUMED
At eleven o'clock last night for a thorough |
