San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-09-13
A Philadelphia Rename.

| says lnls CITY mas Deen the scene OF
strange romance in real life, in the
plot of which the tragic elements of
love, suicide, murder and desertion
were interviewer. The romance ends
dramatically with the triumph of the
good over the bad, and poor widows
accession to comparative wealth.
On Saturday last Mrs. Cody,a veneer
able, white haired sister of the secre-
tary of the interior, came to this city
from Denver in search of the wife and
children of son of David Scanlon,
who died in Denver leaving property
valued at $4,000. The only clew that
the lady possessed as to their identity
was that Scanlon had murdered his
mother and afterwards killed himself
while waiting trial. A search was
made through the records of the court
without revealing the name of Scan
lon. ..'
From the voroner's Office Mrs. Cody
went to the county Jail, where she
learned that man named Davidson
had murdered his mother, and after
wards,in June, 1882, had killed himself
while awaiting his trial. No such name
as Scanlon had been heard of by the
prison officials. Subsequent investi-
cation, however, proved that David
sons real name was John Scanlon, and
that he was the son of David Scanlon,
of Denver. The wife and two sons of
the murderer and suicide were then
discovered without difficulty, and
informed of their good fortune, very
much to their astonishment.
David Scanlon was born in this
country. Thirty six years ago he went
to Ireland and married comely lass
of Donegal, whom he soon afterwards
brought back with him. Soon after
reaching New York Scanlon deserted
his young wife and drifted west. He
. finally settled at Denver, where by
constant application to business, he
amassed fortune, which he bequeath-
ed at his death TO charitable institu-
tions. During these thirty-fve years
he never attempted to find the young
wife he had left unprotected and pen
niless in strange city. Two neph-
ews, therefore, came forward and con-
tested the will on the ground of insan-
ity. Although it was believed that
there were other heirs living, no It'd
ings OF them could be obtained, and
the nephews were awarded the entire
estate.
After Scanlon deserted his wife she
came to this city and earned living
by peddling small wares. She waited
several years for news of her trlant
husband, but finally concluded he was
dead and married man named David
son, who died about ten years ago.
John, her son by Scanlon, took the
name of his stepfather. AS he grew up
he began to drink heavily and formed
bad associations. A few years ago he
married q young woman in is hown
station in life, and the couple lived
with his mother. In his drunken fits
he frequently beat his aged mother,
his wife and his two children.
On the 18th of May. 1882, the elder
folks and the children We're living hud-
!, died together in miserably furnished
third-story attic in one of the worst
parts of the city. Young Scanlon had
been drinking. heavily in the morning
and the neighbors had heard him quar-
reling with his mother. When he re-
turned to the garnet before dark, he
turned upon his mother and struck her
in the face with his fist. The old wo-
man picked up chair to defend her
self, but before she could use it, Scan
; lon had snatched up Ratchet, and
rushing at her, hit her terrible blow
on tie head. She fell to the floor in
sensible. Frenzied, Scanlon jumped
upon the PROSTATE form and literally
beat the head to jelly. He was ar.
rested by two of the neighbors. He
was committed to await o trial for
murder. His suicide in his cell, which
occurred on Monday, July 10, 1885
created the greatest surprise among
the prison officials. After having first
removed all his clothing, he hung him
self by his red flannel shirt from the
lower bar of his cell window.
Mrs. John Scanlon, when informed
of the wealth she inherited, refused to
believe the story, and treated it as q
hoax. Last Monday evening Mrs. Co
dy and Mrs. Scanlon and one of he1
little boys left for Denver. Mrs. Scan
lon carries with her the record of hel
mother in-law's marriage in Ireland
The case comes up in the Supreme
Court in Denver in September for final