I am an avid genealogist. The past is very important to me. I spend a lot of time in cemeteries photographing tombstones to upload on website the FindAGrave.
I enjoy recognizing long dead people by putting memorials to them online. However, every once and a while something grabs me about a specific grave. It could be the name, or the dates or a ceramic photo. In those cases, I feel compelled to dig a little deeper. That's what this series of blogs is about: The tales behind those graves. Some of my subjects will be heroes. Some will be villains. Some will be victims. And some will linger in between, like most of us. However, don't be surprised if the tales are inherently tragic. These are grave tales. They all end in death.
Here is another tale from Baltimore's sprawling Green Mount Cemetery. I was attracted to the Morrison grave because of the tall obelisk -- not simply because of it's height, but because it also seems tilted. I had to check it out. Fortunately, the monument doesn't appear to be in any danger of toppling over any time soon, but I suspect it won't be standing one hundred years from now unless some effort is made to correct it.
The crooked monument marked the graves of Dr. James M. Morrison and his wife Laura. Normally I don't rush to tell the stories of doctors. I try to tell the stories of unsung heroes, and doctors tend to get more than their share of accolades during their lifetimes. However, I grew more interested when I saw Morrison was a Northern veteran of the Civil War. And this is Green Mount Cemetery after all -- the burial ground of Baltimore's elite. There's no point visiting the cemetery if I want to avoid the esteemed and well-to-do. I'm glad I decided to research the couple because neither of them died in a way one would expect due to their position in society.
Here's their stories:
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 14 Nov 1899, Tue:
DEATH OF DR. J. M. MORRISON
-----
He Was Severely Beaten And
Robbed on November 2.
Dr. James M. Morrison, who was assaulted and robbed at his home, 1330 Myrtle avenue, on the night of November 2, died at 3:35 yesterday morning at St. Agnes' Hospital, where he had been removed four days ago.
At the time of the assault Dr. Morrison was alone in his home and had gone down stairs to investigate a noise he had heard. Two men seized and gagged him at the parlor door. He was beaten over the head with a pistol and kicked in the stomach, severe wounds being inflicted. Three of his ribs were broken and he was left in an almost unconscious condition, while one of the men went through the house and took everything of value in sight. Together they got away with about $1,200 in money and jewelry. Dr. Morrison's two sons, Harry and George C., had left the house about a half an hour before the assault. Harry returned about 10 o'clock and found his father lying on the dining room floor. By his side was a wooden gag, and leather tacked to it, which the men had used then removed. The gag was bloody and mixed with the blood were hairs from Dr. Morrison's whiskers.
Harry Morrison promptly notified the police and secured medical assistance for his father. On the following morning John Smeltzing, alias "Dummix," who was seen taking Dr. Morrison home a few hours before the assault, was arrested and charged with the crime. Smeltzing was released on November 10 on $3,000 bail for a hearing on November 20.
For a few days after the assault it was hoped Dr. Morrison would recover, but his wounds failed to heal, pneumonia set in and his nervous system collapsed. Last Friday he was sent to St. Agnes' Hospital and his physician, Dr. G.E. Houck, said that his condition was critical.
Dr. Morrison was born in Baltimore May 7, 1838. His father, Robert M. Morrison, was a well-known merchant. At the age of 21 years Dr. Morrison graduated from the University of Maryland and was appointed by President Lincoln as a surgeon in the Fourth Pennsylvania Cavalry, but was afterwards transferred to the Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, with the rank of major.
After the war he returned to Baltimore, but remained here only three weeks. General Custer sought him out and persuaded him to go and fight the Indians under command of Colonel Childs. Dr. Morrison was with Custer three years and eight months on the plains before he resigned his commission and came back to Baltimore. He began then the practice of medicine, which he continued for 25 years. Five years ago he retired from active practice. Mr. Morrison was a linguist and his son Harry said yesterday that he spoke 25 languages and dialects. He had also written a number of books on the Civil and Indian wars.
Dr. Morrison married Miss Laura M. Startzman, a daughter of Isaac Startzman, who was a great niece of Stephen Girard, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Morrison died on August 8 last from ptomaine poisoning after eating boiled crabs.
Upon hearing of the death of Dr. Morrison Coroner John R. Abercrombie summoned a jury for the purpose of holding an inquest last night. When the jurymen assembled, however, it was decided to postpone the inquest until Monday, November 20, when it is expected further evidence bearing upon Dr. Morrison's death will be produced,
Smeltzing was rearrested yesterday morning, and will be held until after the inquest. Dr. Morrison's death from his injuries makes the charge against Smeltzing of such a serious nature that it does not admit bail.Dr. Morrison seemed like an amazing guy. He was a doctor, a veteran, an author and a skilled linguist. (Sadly, I could not find any record of his books.) He did not deserve to be beaten and kicked to death on his dining room floor so soon after the death of his wife. On the bright side, everyone knew who did it right from the very beginning. Or so it seemed....
Here's the first account of the crime:
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 03 Nov 1899, Fri:
DR. MORRISON ROBBED
Overpowered In His Home, 1330
Myrtle Avenue By Two Men
Dr. James M. Morrison was held up at the muzzle of a pistol last night at his home 1330 Myrtle avenue, and robbed of money and jewelry valued at $1200.
Dr. Morrison's wife died a few months ago and since then the family has consisted of himself and his two sons. Only a short time ago his sons endeavored to persuade him to have night locks placed on the doors in order that the house be better secured. He refused to accede to their wishes.
The sons left home after supper last night and about 9 o'clock Dr. Morrison went to bed. About one hour later he heard the front door shut with considerable noise and left his bed and went down-stairs in his night dress to investigate.
Dr. Morrison reached the hall and was proceeding toward the front door when he received a violent blow on the head and at the same moment a strong hand clutched his throat. The robbers -- there were two of them -- hearing Dr. Morrison coming down stairs, and concealed themselves in the parlor and as he passed the parlor door one of them struck him on the head with the butt of a pistol while the other grabbed his throat. Dr. Morrison was stunned by the blow, which cut a gash in his head and was unable to offer any resistance to the robbers. Besides, his age, 61 years, precluded successful resistance.
As soon as the robbers saw that Dr. Morrison was under their control one of them stood at his side with pistol in hand and commanded him to keep 'quiet under penalty of having his brains blown out,' while the other went through the house in search of articles of value. He was deliberate in his movements and made a thorough search.
In a desk in Dr. Morrison's room he found a roll of money, amounting to $360. Encouraged by so rich a haul the thief broke open bureau and chiffonier drawers, wardrobes and everything that looked it might contain articles of value. From various places he secured the following articles:
One necklace, valued at $150.
One lady's gold watch, valued at $100.
One diamond ring, five stones, valued at $150.
One solitaire diamond ring, valued at $50.
One bracelet set, with seven diamonds, valued at $150.
One gold ring, valued at $25.
One bracelet set with carbuncles, valued at $150.
One pearl-set ring, valued at $25.
Besides these, he secured seven scarf pins and a number of trinkets upon which no value could be placed.
Thrusting his booting into his pockets, the robber joined his companion downstairs. After cautioning Dr. Morrison not to make an outcry they thrust him to one side and left the house.
Dr. Morrison was so badly shocked that he was unable to leave his house, and it was not until after 11 o'clock that the police were informed of the robbery. At that time one of Dr. Morrison's sons returned home and learned of the facts and promptly notified the police.
The only description that could be had of the robbers was the fact that both were white and of stout build. They were seen to enter the house by a lady living on the opposite side of the street.
Detectives were sent out from headquarters at midnight to search for possible clues to the robbers.
 |
| 1330 Myrtle avenue today, 2nd from right |
That was a very detailed account of the crime. Obviously, Dr. Morrison was conscious and aware of events. Only he could have provided some of the details related in the story. However, there are some major differences between this story and the later account told in the article about Dr. Morrison's death. In that story, it is said that the robbers knocked him to the floor and kicked him -- severely injuring him in the process. That was not in the original story. In this story, Dr. Morrison seemed only to suffer from shock and a gash in the head. Also, the later story said that the robbers gagged him with a device they obviously brought themselves. That was not mentioned in the original story either. To me, that's a very important point that indicates premeditation. If they brought something to gag him with them, they obviously expected him to be at home.
Of course, those little details didn't matter since the police had their man the very next day:
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 04 Nov 1899, Sat:
THE ROBBERY OF DR. MORRISON
-----
John Schneltzing Arrested And
Held For A Hearing.
John Schneltzing, aged 55 years, a saloon-keeper living at Loney's lane in Baltimore county, was arrested early yesterday morning by Round Sergeant Lewis Hahn and Sergeant Plum, of the Northwestern district, and Detectives Coughlan and Dick, charged with feloniously entering the house 1330 Myrtle avenue and assaulting and robbing Dr. James M. Morrison.
The assault and robbery of Dr. Morrison, as told in The Sun yesterday, was a peculiarly bold and startling piece of work. The men entered the house by the front door around 9 o'clock, slamming it behind them and making such a noise that the Doctor came downstairs in his night dress to see what had happened. As he passed the parlor door he was struck over the head with the butt end of a pistol and stunned. While one man remained in the hall with the pistol pointed at him the other ransacked the house, and the two got off with money and jewelry amounting to about $1,200.
Dr. Morrison suffered much yesterday from the wound in his head, which is, however, not a serious one, and was in bed all day.
Schneltzing is suspected by the police because of the fact that he was with the Doctor during the afternoon, his previous record and his refusal to account for himself fully during the night.
Mrs. Mary G. Meyers, who lives directly opposite Dr. Morrison, said that Dr. Morrison was brought home under the influence of liquor about 6 o'clock by two strange men. Her description of one of the men is said to fit Schneltzing exactly. The man himself admitted that he had taken the Doctor home, having met him at a saloon not far from the house, but denied having returned later or knowing anything about the robbery. He was given a hearing before Justice Roberts yesterday morning.
Mrs. Meyers gave a description of the other man who had been with Dr. Morrison, and Conrad Schneltzing, son of John Schneltzing, was arrested, but afterward released by Lieutenant Manning, there being no evidence upon which to hold him.
John Schneltzing at the hearing stated he had taken Dr. Morrison home and then returned to the saloon where he had met him. He remained there, he said, until 11 o'clock, when he got on a Pennsylvania avenue car with Mr. Mark Mosher, proprietor of the saloon, and his wife, Mrs. Mosher. Mr. Mosher and his wife transferred to a West Baltimore street car at Baltimore street and Schneltzing, said he followed after them in another car, intending, he said, to go out to look at a saloon he intended buying. He got out at the corner of Baltimore street and Garrison lane and entered a saloon, where he had several drinks with a friend.
Justice Roberts asked who the friend was, and Schneltzing refused to tell and also declined to answer any question as to the owner or exact location of the saloon. He was released on $1,000 bail for a hearing one week from yesterday. In the meantime the police intend to pick up the other man and will endeavor to secure more conclusive evidence against Schneltzing. He has been arrested several times before and is known to the police. The last time he was arrested was for assault and battery.
Robert Stratton, who is employed at a bartender at Mr. Mosher's saloon, 1511 Myrtle avenue, stated last night that Schneltzing came to the saloon about 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon and did not leave it until 11 o'clock at night. Then, Stratton said, he went out with Mr. and Mrs. Mosher, who were going to their home in Calverton. When told that Schneltzing had stated himself that he accompanied Dr. Morrison home at 6 o'clock, Mr. Stratton repeated that he did nothing of the kind and had not gone out of the saloon.
Detectives Pumphrey and O'Donnell are also working the case.
I first found John Schneltzing in the Baltimore Sun on 15 August 1865, when he was charged in a riot in which people were shot and stabbed. Schneltzing himself was charged for throwing bricks, and was himself stabbed in the back of the neck. Another story from 29 July 1878 finds him charged with assaulting a merchant. He was not a stranger to trouble. But was he responsible?
The reporter dutifully notes why the police suspected him. However, the story makes no reference to what would surely be the most damning evidence: Identification by Dr. Morrison himself. In this story, Dr. Morrison's wounds are not considered very serious and that he was resting in bed. Couldn't the police have brought Schneltzing to the house for Dr. Morrison to identify? Dr. Morrison's eyewitness testimony could have sealed the deal....
The police should have secured that identification since Dr. Morrison's ability to affect the case was coming to an end.
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 11 Nov 1899, Sat:
-----
His Life Said To Be Endangered By
His Injuries.
The case of John Schmeltzing, alias "Dummi," charged with assaulting and robbing Dr. James M. Morrison, of 1330 Myrtle avenue, on the night of November 1, came up before Justice Roberts at the Northwestern Police Station yesterday afternoon.
Dr. Morrison was unable to be present, but was represented by Attorney Thomas, who asked that the case be postponed because of the serious illness of Dr. Morrison, whose life, he said, was despaired of. Dr. G.E. Houck, the attending physician, was called upon, and testified that because of the injuries received on the night of the assault Dr. Morrison was in a serious condition and had that day been sent to an asylum. Mr. Thomas asked that the bail of Schmeltzing be increased. There was a warm argument between Schmeltzing's counsel, Mr. Augustus J. Quinn, and Mr. Thomas, the former contending that the hearing should take place at once and, if there was not sufficient evidence Schmeltzing be dismissed. Mr. Thomas argued that it was impossible to tell at this time whether the charge of murder might not have to be preferred against Schmeltzing and that it was necessary to make him give enough bail to prevent his leaving the country.
Justice Roberts postponed the case until November 20, and released Schmeltzing on $3,000 bail.Obviously, Dr. Morrison's health had dramatically declined since the previous story, but, once again, no mention is made if Morrison had identified Schmeltzing himself. Dr. Morrison died prior to the scheduled hearing on 13 November 1899. The court reacted immediately to his death:
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 15 Nov 1899, Wed:
Dr. James M. Morrison's Death.
John Schmeltzing, alias "Dummix," was brought before Justice Roberts at the Northwestern Police Station yesterday morning and charged with inflicting injuries upon Dr. James M. Morrison, from the effects of which he died on November 13. He was committed for the action of the coroner's jury, which will meet next Monday night.It doesn't appear that the coroner's jury set for 20 November ever took place. Schmeltzing was released. Dr. Morrison's sons placed the following notice in the Baltimore Sun on 18 November 1899 offering a reward for information:
The sons would run the advertisement into the following year, but no one would be arrested for the death of their father. The last mention of the case appeared in the 24 August 1900 edition of the Baltimore Sun headlined "MURDER WILL NOT OUT" about nine unsolved murders in the city. The case remains open today. John Schmeltzing remained free. I am not sure when he died, but I was able to track him in various city directories during the first decade of the 20th century. He was listed as a bar or restaurant owner. Here's the last reference I found to him in the newspaper:
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 24 Aug 1904, Wed:
Police On A Hunt For Fish.
Round Sergeant William A. Arbin, Sergt. Louis Zelmer and Patrolmen Leonard Joynes and William Austin, of the Northeastern district, left with a party of friends Monday for Middle river, where they will spend a week near to nature's heart and close by the crabs and fish.
Others in the party are Messrs. Charles and John Zarmzin, Louis Meier, Frank Gross, Louis Miller, George Heise and John Smeltzing.The cops in the Northwestern district desperately tried to convict Smeltzing for murder in 1899. In 1904, he's fishing with the cops in the Northeastern district.
Ah, Baltimore....
Before I end, I do want to relate the sad fate of Dr. Morrison's life Laura. It was probably her death that put him on the bender that left him vulnerable on the night of the assault.
The Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, Maryland), 09 Aug 1899, Wed:
DIED OF PTOMAINE POISON
Mrs. J.M. Morrison's Fatal Illness
Caused By Crab Meat.
Mrs. Laura M. Morrison, wife of Dr. James M. Morrison, 1330 Myrtle avenue, died at her home about 8 o'clock yesterday morning from the effects of ptomaine poisoning caused by eating crabs.
Mrs. Morrison was in apparently good health last Tuesday morning, when she ate the crabs, and did not complain of feeling sick until the following Thursday, although soon after eating the crabs she said she did not believe them good. On Thursday the first symptoms of began to manifest themselves, and by Saturday her condition had become so serious that Dr. John G. Houck, of West Lafayette avenue, her attending physician, called in Dr. J.W. Chambers for consultation. Mrs. Morrison grew rapidly worse in spire of the efforts of the physicians. The two doctors believe that her death was caused by minute particles of ptomaines set free by the decaying crabmeat. During her sickness Mrs. Morrison continually spoke of the crabs, and almost her last words the night before she died were to caution the family against eating any more of them.
Mrs. Morrison was a daughter of the late Isaac and Mary A. Startzman, and was born in Baltimore. She had lived here the greater part of her life, and is survived by her husband and two sons, George C. and Harry Morrison. She has three sisters living, Miss Mary E. Startzman, Mrs. Joseph Grindall and Mrs. George M. Griffith. Mrs Morrison was one of the living relatives of the late Stephen Girard, of Philadelphia. She was an active member of the First English Lutheran Church.Is that how ptomaine poisoning works? It seemed like a long time between when she ate the crabs and when the symptoms began. Still, I'm sure all of those doctors couldn't be wrong. I'm also sure her unexpected death sent her family into a tailspin. I suspect her death might have been a factor in her husband's heavy drinking. Although currently retired, I doubt he would have been able to maintain a successful practice if he normally drank that heavily.
It is shocking to me that the Baltimore police were unable to solve such a high-profile case. Did Dr. Morrison identify any suspects? Did any of the stolen jewelry ever show up? Did the police prematurely and erroneously settle on Schmeltzing as the main suspect? Did Schmeltzing have friends in the police department that helped free him? I have a lot questions which can never be answered. And perhaps now, over a hundred and twenty years later, no one cares.
I only hope the Morrisons rest in peace.,,,
Remember, there is a story behind every grave. You never know what you're missing when you walk past one....
Grave Tales:
My novel Chapel Street is now available! You can buy the Kindle and paperback at Amazon and the Nook, paperback and hardcover at Barnes & Noble. Chapel Street is the tale of a young man battling a demonic entity that has driven members of his family to suicide for generations. It was inspired by an actual haunting.
Learn more about the book, click
Here.
Listen to me read some chapters here:
Read about the true haunting that inspired the novel here:
The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 1, An IntroductionThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 2, The HouseThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 3, This Is UsThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 4, ArrivalThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 5, MethodologyThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 6, Clara's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 7, Clara's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 8, My Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 9, My Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 10, My Tale, Pt. 3The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 11, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 12, Natalia's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 13, John's Tale, Pt. 1 The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 14, John's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 15, Come Inside!The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 16, Marion's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 17, Marion's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 18, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 19, Jeanne's Tale, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 20, Lisa's TaleThe Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 21, Recap, Pt. 1The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 22, Recap, Pt. 2The Haunting of 21 St. Helens Avenue, Part 23, Recap, Pt. 3
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