The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-01
CRAZED BY THE GRIP
Professor Shortlidge Kills His
Bride of a Month.
The Principal of Media Academy Goes
Out Walking with His Wife and
Shoots Her to Death.

MEDIA, Pa, Dec. 3L-Swithin c. Short
hdge principal of the Media Academy for
Boys, while out promenading to-day with
his wife. who was bride of only month.
shot and instantly killed her.
For three weeks Professor Shortlidge has
been confined to his home with the grip.
His wife was faithful, untiring nurse. but
he did not seem to improve rapidly. On Sat
urday 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 d.
rection of East Media, passing people with
out his usual signs Of recognition. A few
minutes later, while passing through some
woodland on jefferson street, those who
were in that neighborhood were startled by
hearing six shots, and looking, saw
what seemed to be a scuffle on the street.
Among those who heard and saw this was
Chief of Police McKniff, who ran to the
spot where he found Mrs. Shortlidge dead
and the frenzied man clinging to her and
calling for her TO come back to him. A re-
volver was lying empty by the side of the
dying woman When the bystanders ap-
preached Professor Shortlidge attempted to
drive them off, and threw himself on the
body OF his wife, now rapidly being chilled
in death. The chief of police put him under
arrest, and he was taken to the lookup
Here 1t was found that he was not fully
dressed, being still in his night shirt. He
was so weak that a carriage had to be pro-
cured in order to convey him the few
squares necessary TO go in order TO reach
the Jail.
old Quaker family. He graduated from Har-
ord mi hOnOrS.
leading member of his class in physical eX-
ercises. After graduating he went into the
newspaper business, and subsequently start
ed a boarding school for boys at kennetts
Square He removed mis- school to Media in
1874 and has since conducted one OF the
most successful institutions In the country,
and one which has gained for itself an en-
viable reputation as a preparatory scnool
for young men. Mr.. Shorthdge was 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 twenty-siX years
Old and of prepossessing appearance. Her
mother is Mrs. Marie Dixon Jones. OF
BROOKLYN ~ r. who came % inso bT probnenGf bar sf
against the Brooklyn Eagle for alleged libel
Gus publications about a hospital conducted
osainst os her. Her brother. Rev Henry Dixon
Jones was pastor of Christ p. E. Church,
in this city, up 10 Dec l. when he resigned
by request. The news OF her daughters
death is n great shock TO the mother, and
II is feared she will lose 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 insane. A few years ago his school
was In a fiourishing condition, but unlucky
investments in real estate caused him TO
lose his money and his affairs were placed
i'm the hands OF receiver The school has
since been conducted as a stock concern,
with Mr. Shortlidge as principal, and there
was every prospect that he would regain
his lost ground. The coroner will hold an
inquest tomorrow.