The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-02-27
MUST answer FOR MURDER
Theodore EiSenhOwer'S Innocent Victim
Expired Last Night.
DECLINED RAPIDLY YESTERDAY
1t Was an Almost Hopeless Case From the
First and the Ninth Day Brought on
the Crisis-would Have Been
a Helpless Cripple.

John Schwindt, who was murderously shot
on the 18th inst by Theodore Eisenhower,
through mistaken identity, expired at 9:2O
o'clock last night and his assailant, who is
confined in the Pottsville Jail, must now
plead to a charge of murder. The wound
was of such a character that at no time did
the physicians in attendance hold out any
hope to the victims family but for the sake
of his wife, who is in i'll health, the worst
was concealed as much as possible. 1t is be-
lieved that if the truth had been conveyed
to the wife she would have succumbed under
the shock and strain. By the policy pur-
sued she was able to prepare for the crisis.
As it is, she is almost prostrated by grief
Everything possible was done to save the
victims life but since the end has come the
family is to some extent reconciled, as, had
he survived he would have been a helpless
cripple. The injury to the spine by the
! bullet was so severe that Schwindt's body,
from the waist down, was completely par
alyzed and he would not have been able to
assume other than PROSTATE position dur
ing the remainder of his existence.
Up to Tuesday afternoon Schwindt's condi-
ton was considered fair, under the circum-
stances. At times much improvement was
shown. Wednesday night an unfavorable
change set in and he grew worse yesterday
morning, but not to an extent to create an
apprehension that death was as near as it
proved to be. At about three o'clock yester-
day afternoon a rapid decline set in
and when he called at the bedside with DR..
Church at $50 last evening DIR. Bddle said
there was nothing to be done it was only a
question of a few hours. Miss Adams, of
| Frackville, the trained nurse who kept the
night vigil, was requested to follow her own
judgment and await the inevitable. She had
but few hours to wait. Schwndt had been
practically delirious from Tuesday night and
his head and arms moved convusively most
of the time. Drs. Biddle and Church say
the effect of the bullet wound was an open
ing that drained the spinal canal and the
brain of their vital substance and caused a
collapse.
The deceased was about 30 years of age
and is survived by his wife and two daughters,
aged respectively eight and ten years He
was member of Major Jennings Council
No. 1867, Jr. O. U. A. NJ.
The case is one of the most extraordinary
that has ever occurred in this region. The
prominence of the parties connected with it
and the peculiar circumstances involved have
excited much public interest, but it is in an
undercurrent, and since the day following
the shooting there has been comparatively
little open discussion. 1t has had an un-
mistakabe effect. General sympathy has
been expressed for the victim and his family,
and there public expression seems to end
Eisenhower's trial will excite great interest
1t is a foregone conclusion that he will be
indicted for murder in the first degree and il
is generally believed that the defense will be
insanity.