The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-01-13
The Principal of Media Academy
Murders His Wife.
GRIP DRIVES HIM CRAZY
While Taking a Morning Walk With his
Faithful Wife He Suddenly Draws
Revolver and Shoots Her.

MEDIA, Pa, Jan. 7.--Swithin G. Short |
lidge, principal of the famous Media
Academy for boys, while out promenad-
ing with his wife, who was bride of
only month, shot and instantly killed |
her. For three weeks Prof. Shortlidge |
has been confined to his home with the |
grip. His wife was a faithful, untiring
nurse, but he did not seem to improve
rapidly. On Saturday he ventured out
for a walk, his wife accompanying him,
but he did not go any further than the
spacious porches Of the academy. This
morning he took another walk with his
wife on his arm in the direction of East
Media, passing people without his usual
signs of recognition. A few minutes
later, while passing through some wood
land on Jefferson street, those who were
in that neighborhood were startled by
hearing shots, and, looking, saw what
seemed to be a scufie on the street.
Among those who heard and saw this
was Chief of Police McKniff, who ran
to the spot, where he found Mrs. Short.
lidge dead, and the frenzied man calling
to her to come back to him. A six
shooting 32-calibre revolver was lying
empty by the side of the dying woman.
When the bystanders approached Prof
Shortlidge attempted to drive them off
and threw himself on the body of HIS
wife, now rapidly being chilled to death.
The chief of police put him under ar
rest and he was taken to the lookup.
Here it was found that he was not fully
dressed, being still in his night shirt.
He was so weak that a carriage had to
be procured in order to convey him the
few squares necessary to go in order TO
reach the jail.
Prof Shortlidge is a member of an
old Quaker family. He graduated from
Harvard university with honors, and
was the leading member for his class in
physical exercises. After graduating
he went into the newspaper business,
and subsequently started a boarding
school for boys at Bennett square. He
removed his school to Media in 1874, and
has since conducted one of the most sue
cessful institutions in the country, and
one which has gained for itself an envi-
able reputation as preparatory school
for young men. Mr.. Shortlidge was a
man of culture and refinement, and was
one of the representative citizens of the
town. He took particular delight in
athletics, and was to be seen almost
daily engaged in outdoor sports with
his pupils. He has four children by his
first wife, who died about four years
ago. The victim, whose maiden name
was Marie Dixon Jones, was about 26
years old, and of prepossessing appear
ance. Her mother is Mrs. Carrie Dixon
Jones', of Brooklyn, N. Y, vino came
into prominence in that city few years
ago by her suit against the Brooklyn
Eagle for alleged libelous publications
about hospital conducted by her. Her
brother, Rev. Henry Dixon Jones, was
pastor of Christ p. E. Church in this
city up to Dec /, when he resigned by
request. The news of her daughters
death is great shock to the mother,
and it is feared she will loose her
reason. The unfortunate man does not
yet realize what he has done, and is
continually asking for his wife. The
general opinion here is that he is in
sane. A few years ago his school was
in flourishing condition. but unhcky
investments in real estate caused him
to loose his money, and his affairs were
placed in the hands of receiver. The
school has since been conducted as a
stock concern with Mr.. Shortlidge as
principal, and there was every pros.
pect that he would gain his lost ground
To Go to an Asylum.
MEDIA, Pa, Jan. s.-Coroner Quinby
last night held an inquest over the body
of Mrs. Marie Shortlidge, who was sho'
and killed by her husband, principal o.
. the Media Academy for Young Men
The jury, after hearing the testimony
found that Professor Shortlidge killed
his wife while insane. Professor Short
lidge's friends will apply to Judge Clay
ton for a commission in Iunacv and hi