Prohibition was in force at the time, which may account for the fact that no mention is made of alcohol having been consumed, but Schmidt's behavior certainly seems alcohol-fueled.
The opening statement indicates that the couple lived at 417 E. Douglas, but her statement indicates that the address was 417 E. Dewey.
Ambrose Bierce said there are four kinds of murder: felonious, excusable, justifiable and praiseworthy (a tip of the hat to Craig McDonald). This I would qualify as belonging to the last category. Almost ninety years on the story still feels very modern, thanks perhaps to the stenographer's accuracy in recording Mary Schmidt's distinctive phrasing. I'd love to know what happened to Mary after this. Does anyone know if Deputy County Attorney Sidney Foulston is any relation to recent Wichita DA Nora Foulston?
From the Foulston Law Office website, it looks as if the Deputy DA was the grandfather of Nola's husband, described as a "3rd generation attorney."
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing artifact. Thanks for posting it.
ReplyDeleteGood night, that's a wonderful piece of work.
ReplyDeleteI might even go so far as to say good night, nurse.
awesome
ReplyDeleteFascinating. A side comment comes to mind. Every time someone complains about the sorry state of American grammar and writing and spelling, have them read this. It's the work of a professional stenographer, circa 1921. I'm not advocating this level of work as the standard, but it's pretty clear Americans have always had a laissez-faire attitude toward these matters.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point, Dana; anyone going through old documents will agree with you. I would give the steno some leeway considering the speed at which he must have been transcribing. Something else interesting: she signs her name Mrs. Mary Francis Schmidt, in the manner of a widow, rather than Mrs. Moritz Schmidt, as a married woman in those days would have. Seems she was adapting quickly and well to her two-hour-old widowhood.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't come up here and lie to you. That was interesting! Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteI love the spurt of detail as the chaos builds, about clothing, union suit, night clothes, get your clothes on. Also, maybe not so unusual to have a rail agent - some of the best trained cops in those days, sheriff probably happy to have him ring in on a big case. Great read.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if the building they lived in might have been railroad property.
ReplyDelete