St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-01-01
A MANAGES AWFUL DEED.
PRINCIPAL or A SCHOOL MURDERS
HIS WIFE.
THE GRIP DRIVES HIM CRAZY
While Taking a Morning Walk
With His Faithful Young
Wife He Suddenly Draws q
Revolver and Shoots Her
Dead-Unfounded Rumor Re-
garding Prendergast.

MEDIA. Pa, Dec. 31.-Swithin G.
Shortlidge, principal of the famous
Media Academy for Boys. while out
promenadiug today with his wife, who
was bride of only mouth, shot and
instantly killed her. For three weeks
Prof. Shortlldge has been confined to
his home with the grip. His wife was
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 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 recog-
milton. A few minutes later, while
passing through some woodland on
Jefferson street, those who were in that
neighborhood were startled by hearing
shots, and, looking, saw what seemed
to be 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 calling to her to
come back to him. A six-shooting
thirty-two caliber 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 in 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. andwas the leading member of
his class i'll 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 successful institutions in the
country, and one which has gained for
itself an enviable reputation as pre-
paratory school for young men. Mr..
Shortlidge was man Of culture and
refinement. and was one of the repre-
sentative citizens of the town. He took
particular
DELIGHT. IN ATHLETICS, 3
and was to be seen almost daily engaged
in outdoor sports with his pupils. He
has tour 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. Carrie Dixon Jones, of
Brooklyn, n. Y, who came into prorli-
snence in that city few years ago by
her suit against the Brooklyn Eagle for
alleged libslous publications about a
hospital conducted by her. The suit
was recently decided against 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 that she will lose her reason.
The unfortunate man does not yet
realize what he has done. and is con-
tinually asking for his wife. The gem
eral opinion here is that he is insane. A
few years ago his school was in a
fleurishing condition. but unlucky in
vestments in real estate ca used him to
lose his money, and his affairs were
placed in the hands Of a receiver. The
school has since been co conducted as a
stock concern with Mr.. Shortlidge as
principal, and there was every prospect
that he W ould regain his lost ground.
The coroner will hold an inquest to-
morrow.