The New York herald., 1922-10-09
Whisky Backs Jealous Man
Who Finally Ends a
Suicide.
REAL HUSBAND IS UNHURT
RemOrse at Last 0vercOmes
Shinn After He Sees Wound
ed Girl in Taxi.

Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD.
sTRENToN. Oct. S.-Underlying the
tragedy of the triple shooting at
Cookstown and this city yesterday in
which Charles NJ. Shinn, a textile
weaver. killed himself after probably
mortally wounding Mrs. Florence
Matthews and shooting her father-in-
law, James Matthews, is the story of
a young woman who shared her affec-
tions with two men.
Shinn became enraged when he
called at the Matthews home in Cooks
town and made unsuccessful argu-
ments with Mrs. Matthews to leave
the man to whom she had been legally
married. In second visit less than
two hours later Shinn started the
shooting, firing two bullets into the
chest of the elder Matthews aged 65,
and two into the abdomen of Mat
thews's daughter-in law, wife of Joseph
Matthews, the young husband to whom
Mrs. Matthews had returned only
snort time previously.
Apparently torn by remorse, Shinn
undertook to obtain medical aid for the
young woman. driving her first to the
home of a physician in Morrisville, Pa,
and thence to Mercer Hospital, this city.
AS the taxicab drew up in front of the
hospital jealousy again overcame re-
morse and Shinn whipped out his re-
volver, firing one shot into the head of
his companion and another into his own
head. He died an hour later.
Tonight Mrs. Matthews, only partly
conscious. was lowering between life
and death. Matthews's condition Is
critical, but a vigorous constitution is in
his favor
State police and the authorities of two
counties have learned that Mrs. Mat
thews, formerly Florence Baker of
Mount Holly. had been friendly with
Shinn since she was fourteen years old.
She married Matthews at Bristol Pa,
in October, 1921. While Matthews was
in the army Shinn renewed his atten-
tions. and the police have been informed
marriage ceremony took place between
them.
About two weeks ago Mrs. Matthews
sought reconciliation with her hus-
band and was taken back after promis-
ing to give UP her association with
Shinn.
Shinn left Philadelphia Thursday
night and went to Mount Holly. where
he met a friend, Charles II. Oliver and
employed John Beebe to drive them co
Cookstown
AS the three men entered the kitchen
on the first visit Oliver said to Mrs
Matthews: (which one of these men
do YOU want?" She replied: II want
my husband. Shinn tried to force Mrs.
Matthews to shake hands with him. and
this started quarrel. during which the
elder Matthews appeared and threw
Shinn out of the front gate and warned
him to keep away.
Shinn. Oliver and Beebe then returned
to wrightstown where Shinn left his
companions several times. saying he
was going 90 get some whisky. Shinns
mood became such that Oliver and Beebe
refused to accompany him longer
Shinn then employed Samuel Goodrich.
a taxicab driver at Camp DiXl to drive
him back to Cookstown.
Returning to the Matthews home,
Shinn confronted Mrs. Matthews in the
kitchen. her husband standing just be-
hind her. After firing two shots at
the woman he aimed another at the
younger Matthews. who evaded it, The
elder Matthews then arrived upon the
scene and was shot as he tried to grab
Shinn. Firing another shot at the
father. Shinn grabbed Mrs. Matthews
whom he half dragged, half carried
toward the front gate. The drive to
the hospital followed.
Goodrich, the taxicab driver, will
probably be released tomorrow, as he
does not seem to have figured in the
shooting.