The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-04
SHELDON'S ORDEAL.
Two of His Children Give
Evidence Against the
Auburn Banker.
sROBIE's" UNEXPECTED POSITION
Sad Day for the Man Who Is Ac-
cused Of Shooting His Wife,
The Sullivan Girl.

AUBURN, N. Y, Feb. 4, 197.-The
Sheldon murder trial is growing absorb
ingly interesting. The prosecution sprung
genuine surprise when they called the
youngest child of the defendant to the
witness stand to testify against her
father Jennie Sheldon had from the first
stood firmly by her parent, protesting
her belief in his Innocence of the wreck
ing of their home. 1t followed, therefore,
that profound sensation was produced
in the court room when District Attorney
Hellis called the name of the girl as a
witness for the people.
Jennie's testimony was not intended to
connect her father with the alleged crime,
but the youngest child was called to help
forge one of the links to the chain by
which the prosecution hopes to enmesh
the accused man. Surely her testimony
must have weight with the jury. for each
member sat with his eye riveted on the
daughter as she detailed the relations of
her father with Ellen Sullivan. Again,
the influence of her recital must have
that awful day, her mother had kissed
her goodbye for the last time, accom-
panying the caress with the loving ad-
monition: Come right home from school.
won't you, Robin?'
When Robin" next saw her mother,
her body was cold in death.
This evidence, following as close upon
the damaging testimony. of the eldest
u.
cloud over the friends of the defendant.
In fact it was extremely depressing.
Frank Sheldon. the accused, did not hold
his customary levee after adjournment.
which came directly after the close of
his youngest child's testimony. He hur-
ried away to his quarters in the Jail.
1t hat teei a gloomy day.. His eldest
son had sworn positively that he had
seen the defendant driving away from
the house fifteen or twenty minutes af-
ter the sound of a pistol shot had been
heard Then as dramatic climax to the
days proceedings he had heard his son
speak out before the court room filled
with people these words of terrible i'm
port: Il thought my father had killed
my mother and didn't want to have any
conversation with him upon the subject"
To conclude this day of horrors the de-
fendant was obliged to listen to the tale
of his offensive conduct as a husband and
father, as recited by his pet child,
Robin" Frank Sheldons dreams last
night must have been troubled, if indeed
he slept at all. The defense are not dis
mayed by the turn of affairs. To suppose
that would be mistake. Surprised, they
may be, but they have not relinquisheG the
confident hope that a weak link in the
chain of cicumStantial evidence will be
found. The hint was given yesterday in the
cross-examination of Will Sheldon, that
they Will attempt to find flaws in several
links. For instance, when Will said he had
heard several other shots on the morning
his mother was found dead the question
arises, how could Will sdEStigulSn between
them and how could he fix the hours of
the pistol shot so accurately.
Persons in the vicinity were hunting or
shooting crows, and the defense will
probably question the young mans testi-
mony. on that point Mrs. Mary Coyle
was the next witness, and she detailed
story of lovers quarrel between
Sheldon and the Sullivan woman, saying
Sheldon was mad with Jealousy because
she had walked out with another man.
That is given as another motive for ulur-
der by the prosecution. Sheldon wanted
to. marry his mistress
Contrary to expectations, Miss May
Sheldon was not.-called to the stand this
morning and the word was given out that
che was sick at home. Mrs. Della Smith
was recalled to locate blood stains on
the pantry floor more definitely. Mrs.
Sunderlin and City Surveyor Austin tes-
titled also as to measurement of the
pantry. Several neighbors testified as
to- domestic relations of the Sheldons and
other unimportant witnesses were called
Until noon recess was taken, to 2:30