The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-28
Continued From Page one)
family occupies handsome villa on Har-
ward avenue.
IN STATE OF COLLAPSE.

ward avenue.
IN STATE OF COLLAPSE.
When Miss Sheldon returned from
Pittsfeld, the day OF the shooting, she
was in state of collapse, through intense
nervousness. A day or two later 1t was
learned that she had been the guest at
the Fosburg house, and an effort was
made TO interview her.
This her parents would not permit as
serting that II was desirable that she be
spared talking about the tragedy.
Saturday. when the information was
received that Robert s. Fosburgh had
been arrested on the charge of shooting
his sister May, a representative of the
Evening News obtained from Mrs. Shell
don a full and free statement concerning
Bertha's visit to the Fosburg's.
Mrs. Sheldon said that Bertha never
met any of the Fosburg family until last
August. Mr. Sheldon. as an architect and
Mr.. Fosburg as contractor, having
been on intimate terms quite a while, and
at Mr.. Fosburgs invitation, Miss Shell
don went TO Pittsfield, intending to re-
main only a week. Her new friends made
the visit so pleasant that she stopped
with them two more weeks.
HEARD ONLY ONE SHOT.
Bertha. Mrs. Sheldon said, knew Moth
Ing of what took place in the house prior
TO the shooting. Bertha does not hear
well, and this has been a great cross for
her. She slept alone in a chamber next
to that occupied by May Fosburg.
Bertha heard only one OF the two shots
alleged TO have been fired. and as quickly
as possible she left her bed and opened
the door. AS she did so she saw May ly-
ing on the floor of the hallway and near
her (May's) own bed room door
Positively Mrs. Sheldon says, that is all
that Bertha can tell here or before any
tribunal. concerning May Fosburgs
death. Bertha did not question the fami-
ly much, and that morning left for Prov
idence. For long time Miss Sheldon
was Ill from the shock and nervousness.
and her father had contemplated sending
her away. that she might recuperate.
After this the young Mr.. Fosburg. who
is married, called at the house once. and
the father was once In town, but he did
not call at Harvard street. Mr.. and Mrs
Sheldon meeting him down town in order
that Bertha might not see him.
QUESTIONED BY DETECTIVES.
Subsequently some Massachusetts, de-
tectives called to see Miss Sheldon and
questioned her closely. They desired that
she should go TO Pittsf1eld and make her
statement under oath. Mr.. Sheldon con-
sidered that this would be detrimental to
Bertha's health.
He consulted his legal adviser, placing
all the circumstances before him, and
was informed that. unless Miss Sheldon
volunteered TO go 10 Massachusetts,. and
thus place herself within the jurisdiction
of the courts OF that state, there was no
power that could take her out of Rhode
Island as a witness.
Mr.. Sheldon, acting upon that advice
refused TO permit his daughter 10 go. to
which would assist I'm unraveling the
mystery. he would no doubt have waived
all legal rights. and in the name OF jus
tice Bertha would have gone to Pitts
field.
The amazement with which Mrs. Shell
don received the information that young
MIR. Fosburg had been arrested was i'm
dicative of the fact that Bertha had not
communicated anything to her mother
which would lead the latter TO believe or
even suspect. that she C3ertha) had any
knowledge of any thouble in the Fosburg
household.
THAT BURGLAR SHOE.
II Is now learned that a Pinkerton de-
tectiVe had been at work In this field,
and that later Col. Whitney of the state
detective bureau had also visited the
Sheldon residence, and that II was the
latter WHO falled 10 lnuuCe BeTlnd lo 80
10 Pittsheld. This officer had with him
the shoe alleged 60 have been dropped or
left in the Fosburg house by one of the
burglars. IL was an uncommonly nice
one and the handiwork Of one of the best
manufacturers in the country.
The assertion that Bertha Sheldon slopt
with NAV Fosburg the night OF the shoot
ing, and that May first jumped out OF bed
and was followed by Bertha. when the
shooting occurred Is not based upon fact
The young ladies occupied rooms next 10
each other. connecting with each other.
and opening upon the same hall. 1t Is
true that Miss Sheldon heard one shot
she docs not say that she heard more
than one she r. deaf. but not 50 much 50
hu, that the shots aroused her.
After all ~ may he very important
that Miss Sheldon should go 10 Pittsheld,
and N duty demands Il. Il Is believed that
Mr. sheldon will escort hts daughter 10
any rsrt ~ Massachusetts that the su-
thoritios may require. and that Bertha