The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-09-04
Boston Actors BrOther-in-Law,
Jesse L. Livermore, Will Aid
in His Defense.
DEAD WOMAN A SISTER OF
FAMOUS COTTON PLUNGER
Slayer COnfesses He Cut VIC
TINS Body to Bits and Placed
Them in Trunk.
Especial 10 the Evening Star.l

BOSTON, Sept. 4.-Cnester S. Jordan,
the actor, who confessed to killing his
wife, Jessie Shannon, an actress, and
Remembering her body, will plead that
he was insane. His sister is the wife
of Jesse L. Livermore. the miiionare
New York cotton plunger, who has re-
tanned Attorney S. Scharton to defend
him. Mr.. Scharton said today that he
already has evidence that Jordan has
been insane for some time.
When arraigned i'll the Somerville
police court today Jordan pleaded not
guilty to a charge OF murder. The case
was continued until Friday, September
II, and Jordan was remanded to Jail.
The confession of Jordan has re-
vealed all of the gruesome details of
one Of the most ghastly crimes OF
which the police have any record.
On arriving in Boston from Somervill2
with his trunk Jordan intended board
ing the turbine steamship Harvard for
New York, and while at sea casting
the trunk overheard. But the Harvard
did not sail, and Jordan rented q
furnished room in Hancock street and
employed Cabman James Collins 10
take him and his trunk there. There
had been many burglaries committed
recently and a large amount of silver
ware stolen. and because of the
weight of the trunk and the nervous
action OF Jordan the cabman became
suspicious and informed the police.
When Jordan returned in the eve
ming he was confronted by Police Ser
geant Crowley. who demanded that he
open the trunk. 1t was not until after
considerable argument on the part OF
the officer that Jordan produced the
key and inserted it in the lock.
Turning his head to one side so he
could not see inside the trunk, Jordan
threw up the cover and then sank back
on his knees, burying his face in his
hands and sobbing.
staggered Back Aghast.
Sergeant Crowley staggered back
aghast at the sight disclosed. In the
open trunk before him lay q mass of
hacked flesh, womans torso filling
the greater part Of the trunk, while
pieces Of flesh from other parts of the
body were stuffed into the corners, the
entire interior of the trunk being be-
spattered with blood. There was no
covering of any sort over the remains.
Turning to Jordan, who was on the
floor his face ashen white and every
muscle in his body quivering, Crowley
said: You are under arrest
Jordan submitted without protest to
the handouts. He declared the body
was that of his wife. and appeared per-
fectiy willing 10 tell the officers every
thing concerning the case.
For more than four hours last night
Jordan was closeted with the police off,
cials of Boston and Somerville and
time after time went over the horrible
details. While protesting that he was
dazed when the crime was committed.
yet by the clearness and conciseness of
his statement it seemed apparent that
whatever preceded the actual killing
the most careful plans were laid for
the disposal of the body and the cover
ing up of the crime.
Jordan's story of the murder. which
was given the officers, was suubstan-
TALLY as follows:
He married Mrs. Honorah Eddy,
whose maiden name was O'Reilly, and
Continued on second Psge.l