Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-04


& During temporary fit of insanity pro.
raced by the grip, from which he has
Been suffering for several weeks, Pro
fessor Swithin c. Shortlidge of Media Pa,
shot and killed his wife, about 10 o'clock
Sunday morning The sad homicide has
caused q great shock in Media and the
4 eympathy of all goes out to the afflicted
Family who are beside themselves with
4 grief over the unfortunate affair. Pro-
\ tessor Shortlidge is now confined in the
.fprison at Media. and declares that he will
Hend bis own life If an opportunity is
offered. He will be removed TO the Norris
/, N town asylum.
Professor Shortlidge, who is one of
4 Medals most prominent and respected citi-
zens had for the past two weeks been
|{H practically confined to the house with a
E serious attack of the grip, and DIR. d. 7.
| Laine, the physician, notified the family
|# and Mrs. Shortlidge that the illness had
|N unbalanced his mind. His condition was
NJ not regarded as dangerous. however.
| At 9.45 o'clock Sunday morning Pro-
~ fessor Shortlidge dressed himself in his
NJ night garment, together with his trousers,
.M coat vest and shoes, and throwing OH an
overcoat, left the Media Academy build
ling with the intention of killing himself
Yrs. Shortlidge. realizing his intentions
Apstily dressed herself and followed her
Hnsband, Mrs. Shortlidge's mother, who
Itided temporarily with them at the
Apademy, advised her daughter not to ac-
ctmpany her husband, fearing that he
wight do her injury during fit of mental
Weakness
SHE FEARED NO HARM.
rWhy, he wouldn't harm hair of any
tne," replied the devoted wife, whereupon
abe hastened away in pursuit of her hus-
Band. The latter, after leaving the academy,
passed out into State street and thence
long the side Of the old athletic grounds
Nntil he reached Washington street. at the
Intersection of Gavley Terrace. Thence his
course took hlm out Washington street in
the direction of East Media. On Jefferson
street. which is a newly opened thorough
y. fare, Professor Shortlidge was overtaken
M by his wife, who pleaded with him to
| return home. He turned, and taking her
n arm, the couple walked up the hill on
W Jefferson street. They were observed by
W well known residents of Media, and were
walking arm in arm, engaged in conyersa-
f tion.
SHOTS IN QUICK SUCCESSION.
=< What induced Mr.. 'Shortlidge to develop
sudden burst of emotional insanity the
next moment, no human power can tell.
There were several pistol shots in quick
*uccession, and when Mr.. Dutton faced
4bout he saw the body of Mrs. Shortlidge
Il lying upon the ground. Mr.. Dutton, to-
Nether with Isaac Founders, ran to the
fpot aud found Mr.. Shortlidge bending
Qver the form of his PROSTATE wife fondly
calling her by name:
vAINLY RECALLING THE DEAD.
Marie, Marie, speak to me, speak to
nc. What have ! done? What have |
,aa None" He then threw himself upon the
YSX<ody Of the PROSTATE woman, and ex-
1 <}aimed; Come back, Marie, come back
'8 me-" supporting the dying woman's
Efad q, with one arm. Constable James Me-
Hniif, was quick to reach the spot. He
F@Vpnd the woman dead and at once took
t{ofessor Shortlidge into custody.
PLACED UNDER ARREST.
Expressing a passing wagon the con-
+ Il t<kble ended the pitiful scene by placing
fofessor Shortlidge in it and driving him
" the borough jail, where he remains
n 4 ed IN cell. The news spread until it
eretrated even the church doors and
A5ny acouaintances of the couple left
H tNlr pews and fiocked to the town hall.
treral gained admission, but found Pro.
<azsor Shortlidge raving incoherently.
Whey wanted to take her away from
4 ld he said. Then he wept like. child.
II {{pr time he became more rational and
"a }'lH3ntively asked, "Where is MarieP 1t is
I[4le she gave me my medicine"
AZ lust he realized that he had shot his
q $lkie and asked, "Who is taking care Of
&tf N apparently not knowing that she
{taf for the present at least he should not
tf enli ightened Soon he began weeping
HfiH talking incoherently again, and 50
cphtinued during the remainder Of the
l Mty With occasional periods of compare
M Ve calm.
THE CORONER ARRIVES
4 8 'Fhe body of the dead woman was re-
moved to the office of Coroner Joseph L.
xHlinby, at 2U6 South Orange street. A
n Nist-inortein examination was made by
W. cproner's physicians DIR. s. A. Beal
3 Is 44p DIR. William Campell. 1t was found
fl1at four bullets had entered the head at
He back and near the base of the skull.
A hree of the bullets entered through the
Nole made by the first.
MARRIED ONLY FEW WEEKS AGO.
IW Professor Shortlidge was married to his
H4cond wife several weeks ago at Christ
Ehurch, Media. The wedding was bril-
Vanity celebrated, and after the ceremony
s. toere was a reunion of old students at the
A Nnademy building and the professor and
De new wife were exceedingly happy.
|he honeymoon was a blissful one. and
Nalsband and wife were devoted to each
q1her. He first took his bed on December
fth, and since that time had been under
We care of DR.. Lame
FOUNDER OF MEDIA ACADEMY.
Professor Shortlidge founded the Media
Aeademy, for Young Men in 1875 which
g ffterwards become famous as q prep9ra.
M r. I9xy Institution for Harvard, Yale Prince.
tan, University of Pennsylvania. and
4 A>Aer universities throughout the United
E1Ates, and also because OF the great mum.
s: oef of athletes, including foot ball PLAYERS
% Nna Baseball men who received their pre-
taf4tory education there. Vail and Knipe
4 0{ The University; Brewer and Wrestling
l'4 81 tiHrvard; Janeway and Holly of Prince.
f3Hi Wells and Robinson OF Lafayette, all
sEafe students ut Media as were Wolf
HzHitpn and Taylor of the Louisville Base
QHIf {lub. In former years the school has
cAfI1ed as many as 140 young men and
Hayt, preparing them for business, classi,
cal. polytechnic and military training.
kYqfessor Shortlidge is a graduate OF
II Harvard University, where he received
= tHq oesrees OF A. B., and A. NJ. He is 81
xt4fs old and has an interesting family oi
= tITf Qhildren, all of whom have been pro
Xlf1td for by relatives He has three
{f4thers, William Shortlidge president OF
tmplement Dealers Association Of
!: {tasylyania, q well known business mar
of II4ll lefonte; Professor Joseph ShortlidgI
o 1(tdia, and Mayor Evan q. Shortlidg,
of taje city.
3Fe Inquest over the remains was
held q she parlor of Coroner Quinby's
n house, in Media, Monday. The jury
wps composed of prominent residents o.
81 Media Stephen II. Appleton, editor ol
the Media american, was foreman, and
a the plner Jurors were Wardle Ellis, the
Il lNT;i1;.,-.