The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-03

| MEDIA, Pa. Dec 31-Swithin c.
! ShortliGge. principal Of the famous Media
/ academy for boys, while out promenad-
/ ing today with his wife, who was a
| bride of only a 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 walk. his wife accompanying him
! but he did not go any farther than the
/ spacious porches of the academy.
| This morning he took another walk
with his wife on his arm in the direc-
ton Of East Media, passing people with
out his usual signs of recognition. a
few minutes later while passing through
some woodland on Jefferson-st those
who were in that neighborhood were
startled at hearing six shots. and look
ing saw what seemed 10 be a scuff1e on
the street Among those who heard and
saw this was Chief of Police McKnifr
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 six shooting 32-calibre revolver was
lying empty by the side of the dying
woman. When the by-standers ap-
preached Prof. ShortHdge 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 it was found that he
was not fully dressed, being still in his
! night shirt he was so weak that
carriage had to be procured in order TO
conTey him the few squares necessary
to go in order TO reach the Jail.
Prof Shoruidge is a member of an
old quaker family. He graduated from
Harvard university with hOnors and was
the leading member Of his class in physi-
cal exercises. After graduating ne went
! into the newspaper business and SubSe-
quently started a boarding school for
boys at kennett'S square. He removed
his school to Media in 1874 and has since
conducted one of the most successful in
sttutiOnS in the country and one which
has gained for itself an envable repu-
tatiOn as a. preparatory school for young
men. Prof. Shortlidge was a man of cul-
| ture 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 ap-
pearance. Her mother is Mrs. Marie
Dixon Jones Of Brooklyn, n. Y, who
came into prominence in that city a few
years go by her suit against the Brook
lyn Eagle for alleged libelous publica-
tions about a hospital conducted by her.
The suit was recently decided against
her Her brother. the Rev. Henry
Dixon Jones. was pastor Of Christ
protestant episcopal church in this city
up to Dec. 1, when he resigned by re-
quest.
The news OF her daughters death is a
great shock to the mother and it is feared
she will lose her reason. The unfortun-
ate 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 fiOuTishing condition,
but unlucky investments in real estate
caused him to lose his money and his
affairs were placed in the hands of a re-
ceiver. The school has since been con-
Quoted 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 to-
morrow.