The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-20
MANIAC SOUGHT
 BY OHIO POLICE IN FURNACECASE
Rev. Sheatsley Adopts Suicide Theory In The
 Death Of Wife
MOVEMENTS CHECK
 WITH STATEMENTS
Police Verify Ministers Description Of Activi-
 ties On Day Of Tragedy
(By Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 19. Unwilling to agree to the sui eide theory advanced by Coro- ner J. A. Murphy and accepted today by the Rev. c. V. Sheats- ley, husband of Addie Sheats- ley, 50, whose practically cre- mated body was found in the furnace of their home in the fashionable Bexley district Monday, County Prosecutor John R. King tonight planned to continue his investigation seeking to establish a murder motive.
 During his examination yesterday Rev. Sheatsley refused to agree to the suicide theory, but today he called Prosecutor King to his home shortly before the funeral hour and expressed the belief that his wife had taken her life.
 To Question Mother
 Prosecutor King expects to go to Canton tomorrow to question Mrs. Sheatsley's aged mother, who until March of this year resided with her daughter.
 Further mystery was injected into the baffling case today when Mrs. G. R. Allen, who lives about two miles from the Sheatsley home, reported to the prosecutor that on the morning of the tragedy strange man, having the appearance of a maniac, visited her home and asked if she would give him an old overcOat. Upon being told that she could not, Mrs. Allen told the prosecutor, the man asked to be shown the furnace room. She refused and the man jumped from the porch and ran up the street in the general direction of the Sheatsley home. Police tonight were on the1lookout for the man.
 Maniac Feared At Large
 While not placing much credence in the story, belief was expressed by some officials that a maniac might be at large in the city and might have thrust Mrs. Sheatsley's body into the furnace.
 Another theory advanced today by some authorities was that Mrs. Sheats- ley committed suicide and that her body was placed in the furnace by some one.
 Movements of the minister on the aft ernoon of the tragedy were thoroughly checked this afternoon by police, who announced they tallied exactly with statements made during his examination yesterday. Miss Helen Roess, student in one of Mir. Sheatsley's religious classes at Capital university, who is ill in a local hospital, confirmed the min ister's statement that he visited with her Monday afternoon.
 Statement Verified
 Police verified his statement that he left home about 1 80 in the afternoon and returned home about 4 :45. In the intervening time he visited bank, bought hat, visited the hospital and made several pastoral calls.
 Statements of the four children, Mil ton, 20, Clarence, 16, Elizabeth, 14, and Alice, are being checked by author ities. Clarence, according to his story, was the last of the family to see the mother alive. He related that he left home shortly after his father. Authori- ties admit they are puzzled by his ac- tion in not reporting discovery of his mothers body in the furnace about 8 o'clock. He said he did not tell his sisters because he did not want to worry them. and that he wanted to tell his father first.
 The minister explains his sons &C., tion by saying he had always been of a peculiar disposition and 'it was like him to keep the secret to himself and not to worry others"
 Neighbors of the family and members of the minister's congregation apparent ly have accepted the suicide theory, it was indicated by some of them today.