The Cairo bulletin., 1912-08-01
THOS.H. SHERIDAN
TELLS STORY OF
THAcKERMURDER
Takes Stand in Own Defense
Before Crowded Opera
House At Vienna
lis NOT DISTURBED BY PROBE
| Relates Publication il His News-
paper of Article Attacking
Elder Thacker
lis NOT DISTURBED BY PROBE
(By STAFF Corrcspondent,)

Vienna, Ill, July 3l.-With the
opera house crowded until the floors
were deemed unsafe-with the street
IN front of the building iammcd with
people from the entire country sur.
rounding Vienna-and amid a quiet
SO absolute that the dropping OF q
| pin could have been heard all over
the big room--Thomas III. Sheridan
took the stand in his own justifica-
tion for the killing Of Harry Thacker
on Sept, 10, 1910.
Never before In the varied his-
tory OF Johnson County has there
been held trial exciting such IN
Iterest. Never has there been in any
trial q more breathless moment THAI
when sheridan assembled to the chair
ut 8 o'clock this morning During
four solid hours he stayed there,
| while not a person left the room Or
sven made a movement, except to
| shift for better view when the
witness got down upon the floor to
illustrate his exact posture when he
Idred the single shot that killed
larry Thacker.
Sheridan is a medium sized man
and at first glance stranger would
take him to be much younger than
he really is. He was without coat
-wore soft white shirt and dark
Itie and black trousers-and his posi-
ltion was easy and natural, his
answers clear and prompt and de-
| .ided--and at no time was he at a
loss or his equanamity in the least
I disturbed. 1t is only after q close
scrutiny and extended observation
that one begins to notice the graying
hair and tho lines OF mature mar
hood in the face-and can realize
that Thomas Sheridan is 50 years of
iaget
/ He testified that he had published
In Aug. 1910 in his paper The
News" an article concerning the
rnacker famiIy--that he had not
| vritten 1t himself nor did not know
he author, but had received the ar
| icle among some other items and 1t
vent into his paper with his tuli
| knowledge. That almost Immediately
| 10 was beset with threats from the
| rhackers and had received repeat
| ID messages and warnings through
| friends to the effect that Harry
| rhacker was intent on his life. That
he continued to print things about
| he Thackers and received In turn
thrre post cards. all unsigned
threatening him seriously and the
last one contained a skull and cross
bones with the words well get yoi
yet" That he had tried in every
way and at great pains TO avoid the
rhackers and had carried the gun
: With the purpose of defending his
| ,wn life should it become absolutely
necessary. That Harry Thacker was
Il much larger and more powerful
/ oan than himself That he was
| .fraid of Harry Thacker. That ne
( ,ad been in possession of the revoi-
i ter for several years and II had con-
6 aimed two loaded shells and three
d discharged shells at the moment
when he took it from his coat pocket
n defend himself against the attack
If Harry Thacker. He stated that on
he evening of Sept. 10th, 1910 he
: vas confronted near his place OF
,usiness on Fifth street by Frank
V hacker, who demanded a certain
Il cut" that had been used by "Tn9
I'll .ews'' in the reproduction OF a
picture of the Thacker family He
Protested, but finally assembled the
/: tairway to his office, and, fetching
/ he article down with him he sur
:. endered it to Frank Thacker who
:. galked away wit it. Sheridan main
aimed that he had been gentle an
lot excited during the entire inter
lew but that Frank Thacker hac
,een very abusive throughout. Yer,
L oon Sheridan felt severe tug al
lis coat, which turned him aroune
Z | while he was standing on the iron
--~-
(Concluded on Page Six.l