Evening journal., 1900-10-12
HE lad INSURED
HIS own LIFE
And Not That Of Mrs. Short
Iidge'S as Reported
ACTION As ADMINISTRATOR
Statements Made by Leonard E. Wales,
Of This City, and Vest
Chester Man
ACTION As ADMINISTRATOR

suit of Professor Swithin 9. Shortlidge as
administrator, against the Provident Life
and Trust Company Of Philadelphia for
insurance on his life, whichhave appeared
in the newspapers during this week, a
man, who knows Professor Shortlidge
well, in an interview with the West Ches-
ter Local News gave a detailed account
of the facts in the case.
Professor Shortidge," stated the Lo-
cal News informant. "was as is generally
known, the principal of Shortlidge Media
Academy for young men, which, next 10
Exeter and Andover was the best college
preparatory school in this country at one
time. This institution OF learning. well
known throughout the eastern states,
fitted many young man for college in its
palnly days. For a number OF years
everything hourished at the Media insti-
tuition, and the Charter Town in Della
ware county rejoiced at tie prosperity il
enjoyed
But. presently, blight came upon the
institution. for Mrs Shortlidge, the pro-
fessor's wife. sckened and died one day,
leaving the instructor with five mother
less children on his han1s. For time he
staggered under the blow, eventually Civ
ing way under the strain which involved
him in financial stress and ruin. He
fought hard to prevent the final crash,
but to no avail. The calamity came and
soon it was known that Mr.. Shortlidge
was a bankrupt The sheriff sold the
property to the highest bidder. And so
ended the first chapter Of the mans life.
1.-The second chapter begun when he
met and married Miss Marie Dixon
Jones. New York woman. Her brother
was pastor of Christ Church, in Media,
of which Professor Shortlidge was yes
tryman. An attempt was made to oust
the minister. when he found a champion
in the schoolmaster. In this way Pro-
fessor Shortlidge met the minister's sis
ter. The welding was solemnized in
Christ Church, and upon their return
from the honeymoon the couple settled
down at Media Academy, the husband
devoting LIS time to the students in ms
charge, the wife taking charge of the
children by the former marriage.
Everything might have gone well
again had not Professor Shortage been
seized with an attack OF the grip, which
confined him to his bed. lit attacked his
mind and his reason was dethroned. He
arose from his sick bed one evening, and
Il
room drawer, and started out to,end his
life. lac air was biting cold aud a man.
tie OF snow covered the ground. Soon his
wife discovered his absence and started
in pursuit. She found him a few squares
away. In his frenzy, he opened fire upon
the woman and then turned the muzzle OF
the weapon upon himself, but was dis
armed.
''IIe was arrested while wringing his
hands over the PROSTATE form of his wife
tried before Judge Clayton at Media
where experts on sanity testified to the
condition Of his mind at the time Of tn,
unfortunate tragedy, the result beinl
that a jury of his peers decided that the
man was not responsible for the violen
act. He was committed to the asylum
for the insane at Norristown, where h'
remained for few years, and was theI
released by an order Of the court upon the
statements Of Dr. Richardson, Of Norris
town, made to Judge Clayton at the time
He did not remain long in this country
He yearned for new scenes, and accom-
panied by his eldest son, Swithin c., Jr.
and Raphael Sh0rtlidge he set sail TO
England. He since has been living in thu
city Of Leeds, about an hours run from
London, where father and sons are en-
gagged in business.
ION the 18th Of last September a polio
for S7,O2211, issued by the Provident Lii
and Trust Company, on the professor
own life, and not on his wife's, fell due
1t was taken out in 1880, and mature
when he reached the age of seventy year
As soon as this policy fell due sewers
Judgment creditors informed him of th
fact. and requested that he come to thi
country and pay up the claims. His r.
turn here is the result of their mportur
ing.
During the life time of Mr.. Shor
lidgo's second wife, he assigned the polio
on his life to Mrs Shortldge. Hence
was necessary for him to go into Con
mon Pleas Court Philadelphia) To admin
lister on his wife's estate, the second VII
leaving no offspring. The only assets I
the deceased wife are the husbands ow
insurance policy, which he proposes
turn over TO his creditors. and in Whit
he will not profit one farthing. Profess
Shortlidge has not lived in Kenne
Square for nearly thirty years, notwit
standing the Records statements 90 q
contrary. The Record evidently pm
lished the story without verihcatio
Whether It procured its Information fro
an insurance company or from an in'
vidual. it is indeed blunder. The Reco
Publishing Company is in the hands
receivers.
"The judgments entered against Pr
fessor Shortlidge. at Media. are as Il
lows: Evan G.. Shortlidge, SS,O06; G.
Hannum, s75l.50; Joseph Il. Walker, s
577I4; Dr. Trimble Pratt, $239.41. i
professor gets absolutely nothing frC
the estate of his wife,
The Evening Journal has receiy
the following letter from Leonard
Wales. an attorney in the case:
To the Editor Evening journal.
Sir: In view OF the sensational a
Ibelcus character of the article, re
tive 10 Swithin G. Shortlidge, VIII
appeared in Wednesdays issue of
the Philadelphia Record, and VIII
has since been spread broadc
through the newspaper world sim