The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-01-11
DEED OF A MANIAC
The Principal of Media Academy
Murders His Wife.
GRIP DRIVES HIM CRAZY
While Taking 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 a month, 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. Ol Saturday he ventured out
for a walk, his wife accompanying him,
but he did not so 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 scuffie 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 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
ono Of tba ranrecentative citizenc of fhe q
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 q
years old, and of prepossessing appear
: ance Her mother is Mrs. Carrie Dlxo:
Z Jones, of Brooklyn, N. Y, who came
Y into prominence in thatcity few year,
0 ago by her suit against the Brooklyn
+ Eagle for alleged libelous publications
: about hospital conducted by her. He
S brother, Rev. Henry Dixon Jones, wa
pastor of Christ p. e. Church in thi
city up to Dec. /, when he resigned b,
- request. The news of her daughter
# death is great shock to the mother
and it is feared she will loose he
e reason. The unfortunate man does no
h yet realize what he has done, and
1T continually asking for his wife. Th
d general opinion here is that he is II
IS sane. "A few years ago his school wa
a in fl hourishing condition. but unluck
lie investments in real estate caused hil
tt to loose his money, and his affairs wer
a placed in the hands of receiver. Th
ft school has since been conducted as
It. stock concern with Mr.. Shortlidge Z
re principal, and there was every pro
w. pect that he would gain his lost groun,