32: Hometown Hijinx pt.2: Lincoln It Together

Grant Thomas
Dec 20, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Apr 16

Grant transports us back to the Gilded Age in a completely unplanned turn of events, asking the big question: When is a murder just a murder, and when does it symbolize deeper social turmoil like racism or misogyny? In this second installment of “Hometown Hijinks,” a famous gambler in 1890s Lincoln, Nebraska, gets brained with a steel cane and possibly poisoned, pulling a suspicious barber, a not-so-grieving wife (hello, Molly Sheedy!), and powerful railroads into the biggest murder trial in local lore. Grant relives the story he first learned (and promptly forgot) in college, while Maya’s witty banter keeps the century-old gossip feeling surprisingly fresh. If you’re into old-fashioned mystery, corruption, and comedic chaos, you won’t want to miss this time-warp adventure!

Chapters/Key takeaways to listen for

[00:00:00] The Hometown Hijinks Continues: Holiday plans, Norman Rockwell family vibes, and why no one can convince Casey to host “Cocktails with Casey”
[00:19:40] Lincoln It Together: The true crime story about John Sheedy's murder in 1891 Nebraska, setting up the episode's main narrative
[00:49:57] Racial Tensions and Witness Testimony: How a black man, William Monday McFarland, becomes a suspect based on vague witness descriptions
[01:02:01] Mary Sheedy's Complicated Love Life: Exploration of Mary's multiple marriages and alleged affairs
[01:25:31] Legal Maneuvering and Estate Inheritance: Revelation that John's brother Dennis strategically positions himself to potentially inherit the estate if Mary is found guilty
[01:40:14] Trial Drama and Social Expectations: Detailed breakdown of the trial, highlighting Victorian-era gender norms and racial prejudices influencing the legal proceedings
[01:50:25] Verdict and Aftermath: Shocking not-guilty verdict for both Mary Sheedy and McFarland, with speculation about what really happened
[01:55:04] Mary's Post-Trial Life: Brief overview of Mary's life after the trial, including her move to San Francisco and remarriage

Photo/Videos Referenced:

John and Mary Sheedy Portraits	William "Monday" McFarland Portrait
Lincoln, NE	Chief of Police Samuel Melick and Detective James Malone
Mary Sheedy on the stand	Monday McFarland on the stand

Quotes:

"Everyone seems to agree that corruption is occurring. No one seems to agree what the corruption is." - Grant Thomas
"A woman would never do such things like so, playing on all of the sympathy" - Grant Thomas

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