The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-07

have returned n verdict before the pris-
oner could be tried upon it. The finding
OF the coroner's jury, written out by
Fowler, and signed by the foreman only,
when some of the jurors had not heard
what II was, was made fully In accordance
with the svidsnes brought at the
trial, not that which was suppressed.
This testimony. all written by Fowler, Is
now sealed and in the vaults at Bastrop
courthouse. 1t will be very Interesting
reading matter when public, and will be
produced in full in these columns. The
bail bond and verdict were first seen by
the Jury when Maynard had been released
aud the party had left town. When 1t
was seen that no evidence but Fowler's
was given, the justice ~ was asked If
there were to be no more examinations,
and he answered that the evidence before
him was conclusive.
The Justice says that the only question
before his mind was, whether he should
admit to bail at all or not. From the
evidence given, this should not have taken
him long TO decide. The state was rep
resented by Fowler, chief witness, and
bIOther-in-law OF the murderer. Would
IL be a misapplication to say, right here,
that the state was mis-represented by
Fowler There was nobody there to
conduct the prosecution or insist that the
evidence should be continued. The trial
was not upon the verdict of the coroner's
Jury, but the verdict given to accord with
the trial. Such proceedings are entirely
original in Elgin, but the novelty will not
recommend them to be largely copied.
The letter found in Shirley's pocket
after death was a respectful, honorable
offer OF marriage, addressed to Mr.. May
nard for his daughters hand. 1t told of
Sbirley's acquaintance, preference, their
| love, and his final desire for her hand, to
follow the love her heart mad already
given him. For her regard of him the
father was referred to the daughter, and
this letter was intended to be approved by
her and then sent to her father at Bastrop.
He referred to Rev DIR. Rogers and Mr..
Lancaster here, and to all who had ever
known him in Marshall. With this docu-
ment in his pocket, bearing the imprint
of manly honesty, is 1t likely that he re-
fused to treat her brother and brother-in-
law with even common courtesy would
he be likely to be rude and savage to
them, as is charged by them; resenting
their interference roughly, when IL he
had called their attention to that letter
they must have been satisfied? There Is
too little probability In such PROPOSE
tion for human credulity. On receipt of
the anonymous letter from Elgin, Mr..
Maynard added to a business letter TO DR..
Ralney question regarding Mr.. Shirley's
character, saying at the same time that
IL he was a respectable, honorable man,
he would not oppose his daughters mar
riage with him, The evidences are plen-
ty that Shirley intended to marry her,
and she expected him to do
could learn that Shirley was the
right sort of man. HIS references were
unimpeachable and there was no bar to
happy wedding except the ISLANDERS cir.
culated by Tisdale and Whisenant, as the
result of their contemplate intermed-
i
u murder and should be thoroughly salts
fed with the result of their labors. When
young Maynard and Fowler reached FL
gin they were stuffed with these horrible
stories, gotten up originally by this pair of
virtuous ghOuls. Maynard, who loved his
sister devotedly, was trenZied by this
story of her wrongs, and in moment OF
misguided judgment he fired the fatal
shot, us he thought in defense OF sis
ter's honor and good name. Medical
proof has been found, since the occur
renee, that the young lady is not eHciente,
and even If the balance of the story be
true, it certainly would not have been
discovered except for the vultures
who played Paul Pry. There is but
perfectly evident to all readers of
the STATESMAN. Admitting the guilt of
Shirley, nobody has yet said, even Fowl
er or Maynard, that he refused to marry
Miss Maynard, and all the evidence
would seem to show that he honestly in
tended to do so. If he was not guilty, the
cruelty of the murder is more revolving
in its effects, for an innocent man has
been killed, a young girls life blasted,
and three families or more imbued in
terrible trouble, which years cannot OBJ
literate. That two lawyers of brains,
talent and well versed in their profession
should consider murder justifiable In any
event, except self-detense, is Incompre-
hensible. That Shirley was totally I'M
armed is proven. The excuse that she
threw his hand back, and L shot him." is
no longer in vogue here, and it is high
time that it was tabooed forever. With
pesce offering in his pocket, in the pres
ence OF the woman he loved, ii is scarcely
probable that he made an empty threat
against the men, knowing he was unarm-
ed, and not knowing whether they were
armed or not.
This terrible tragedy has all been
brought about through a couple of irre-
sponsible men meddling in other peoples
affairs, and there are many who must
share the blame for having given cur
rency to the ISLANDERS. While Edward
Maynard is not murderer at heart, was
not animated by any long borne grudge,
and, believing that he was avenging a
beloved sisters stained honor, goaded on
by the vile tongues of SANDER, took a
human life, yet he has violated the laws
of God and man, and is amenable to the
laws full penalty. This fearful lesson
should, If such q thing were possible,
teach people to attend principally to their
own business, and let the affairs of others
alone