Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-14
SEQUEL TO A SENSATION.

Geo. b, Shorts, Who EIOped and Left His
Family Destitute, Buried Yestsrday-Au
Averted Tragedy.
The residents of Manchester were in a
high state of excitement yesterday over a
funeral which took place from the lower end
of Fayette street. Several hundred people
turned out to observe the funeral cortege,
expecting to witness tragedy which would
necessitate another funeral.
The tragedy did not materialize, however,
owing to the non-appearsnce of would-be
mourner.
The funeral was that of George B. Shorts,
the well-known ex-manager of the S. S. D.
Thompson band, who eloped with cousin
of his wife's last winter. In March last
The DISPATCH exclusively published an
account of the runaway. Shorts left his
wife and three children in destitute circum-
stances, and IN his fight forgot to square
accounts with the members of the band for
their services on Washington's birthday
His companion in fight was Mollie
Sarver, of Adams street, who
had been employed in McKinney's bolt
factory. After being away for several
weeks they returned to the city. Shorts
squared his accounts with the band, but re-
fused to live with his wife. The latter sued
him, and when the case was tried he was
ordered to pay her 81 per week. Mrs.
Shorts being without money went to live
with her husbands family. In the mean
time her youngest child, who had been i'll,
died.
On Halloween Shorts ate large quantity
of nuts and the next day he became very
- IL H. la1 0f or,1 nr
Johnston, one of the oldest practitioners Of
Allegheny, was called to attend him.
Thinking the fruit was the cause of the
trouble, the doctor prescribed accordingly,
but the patient grew worse. After lapse
of several days Dr. Johnston called in DR..
John Dickson, but they could do him no
good and he died on Monday night.
Ali through his sickness the wife whom he
had deserted tenderly nursed him and did
everything she possibly could to alleviate
his suferings. She sat up night after night
with him, and her devotion was marked. Mol
lie Sarver, the girl Shorts ran away with,
was also much interested in him, but could
get no information from the family. She
sent to DIR. Johnston, but he refused to say
anything about his patient. When Shorts
died Miss Sarver caused the report to be
circulated that she was going to attend the
AuhCAd1s ShC ACPOAb noS Sh1S SnO Ao0 III SN
a carriage and would give orders to the
driver to take the first place following the
hearse and preceding the family, This
reached the ears of the latter, and they took
steps to prevent the woman from attending
the funeral. Shorts father, it is said, got
into rage and said he would shoot the girl
ii she was seen in the vicinity of the house
during the funeral services 1t is said that
he became so violent at Miss Sarver's con-
duct that he had to be locked in a room in
the house.
The funeral took place at 2 o'clock yester-
day afternoon from the Shorts family resi-
dence No. 13 Favette street. It was in
charge of Undertaken Lowrie, and the re-
mains were inferred in the Uniondale Gem
etery. The family were on the lookout for
Miss Sarver, but she kept out of the way.
If she attended the funeral she kept herself
concealed, as nothing was seen of her.
About two years ago while attending to
horse, Shorts was kicked in the abdomen,
and this was the cause of his death. AS the
case had baf1ed the skill of the physicians
they decided to hold an autopsy afIer Shorts
death. The family also expressed wish
that this be done and Doctors Johnston and
Dickson made the examination. 1t was
found that the injury received two years ago
was the cause of Shorts death. His intes-
tines were bruised and corded and it was
singular that the man lived as long as he
did.