The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1900-05-25

One child was born the little one now
fatherless and perhaps soon to be mo-
therless, was the fruit of this marriage.
| Mrs. Shifts endeavored to eke out an
existence by her handiwork, and with
the needle tried to obtain a living for
herself and child. Shifts bothered her
great deal and came to her while she
was at Uhrichsville and demanded
money. He would take the money from
her and spend 1t for drink. About
three years ago, just short time pre-
vious to his marriage, Charles Shifts, a
son of Jerry, shot and killed Sam.
Marchbanks. The parties resided at
| Uhrichsville at the time. Marchbanks'
abuse to the first Mrs. Shifts caused the
son to act in her defense.
| Marchbanks was very fine
looking fellow; by occupation q station
| ary engineer. When Charles shot
Marchbanks II was quite a sensational
affair at that time, and the whole town
was aroused.
Charles, through the efforts of his at
| torneys and others was finally cleared
of the charge of murder. He now resides
at Canal Dover.
Soon after this event a cousin of
Jerry's; by profession doctor. living in
this vicinity, conceived the idea
that Maggie Cogan would make a good
wife to Jerry Shifts, and II was mainly
through his efforts that the match was
| consumated. Jerry represented to Mrs.
| Cogan that he had money, a fine house
painted white with green shutters, To-
Gated upon very valuable lot in
Uhrichsville. After the marriage, when
the bride was brought from Canton to
| her home in Uhrichsville, she found in
stead of a mansion humble cottage.
There were no green shutters to greet
| the bride In her fond expectancy. In
| stead she for id dwelling of the sim
plest order without any embellishments
| of the artistic order. She was intro
| duced to an humble home Like good
sensible woman, while nothing but dis
appointment was presented to her, she
accepted the situation, and became the
mistress of his household.
IT was the impression of the people
Of the neighborhood that Jerry took
advantage of her trust. She at once
created the respect of those with whom
she came in contact, and more than or
dinary interest was raised in her be-
tell Of Ill treatment dished out to her
by the recreant husband; interested
neighbors were able to Judge for them
selves. Hence the exceptionally high
esteem in which Mrs. Shifts was held.
The unfortunate affair, more because Of
the wife's great popularity, than for
any other reason has caused con-
siderable regret and sadness in the
neighborhood in which she lived She
was III. She had consumption. Despite
this fact the husband tried to kill her.
Without regard to her physical condi-
tion, his treatment Of her would sug-
gest the brute that must have been
within him. In years gone by Jerry was
not bad fellow. He worked hard. He
was well digger. He made no effort
to establish credit in his home town.
He was illiterate to that extent that
public affairs never interested him. 1t
was thus his life was spent in Uhrichs-
Vile, where probably he had his full
share of sorrow and grief in his first
marriage which may have had an in
fiuence in the unfortunate affair of
Tuesday afternoon. Jerry was un-
couth but believed to be honest. Until
he met the unfortunate lady who now
lies at the hospital, perhaps in the
throes of death, he never knew what
pride meant. His was the sort of ma
ture that preferred a shanty boat with
out environments to a well furnished
home.
After his marriage with Mrs. Cogan
a noticeable change took place in the
man. Through her efforts Jerry as
sumed an air Of respectability When
not at, work he always presented neat
ness that suggested womanly care.
Jerry was considered crazy. Monday
he came across the street and met Judge
Healda, who was talking with Will
Collier Urichsville has had an epi-
demic Of insanity and as Jerry passed
Collyer said to H. there goes the latest
edition to the insane in this town." The
Judge said he had heard nothing about
1t. Collyer said, "Yes, he's gone crazy"
A week ago Jerry entered the post
office at Uhrichsville and said his wife
was dead In Canton and he proposed to
celebrate the affair. He had been
drinking and showed 1t very plainly.
Jerry's coming to Canton dated last
Tuesday, week ago. He returned Mon
day morning, and his daughter, Mrs.
Hiram Lukens, accompanied him.
Jerry told the neighbors of his home
that he had sold his horse and secured
$25 on the sale. He talked quite a
great deal. He said he was going to
Canton and would kill all of 'em." He
meant Mr.. and Mrs. Decker and his
child. His customary loose talk had AL