The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-12-07
A Statesman Reporter Becomes n
special Deputy Sheriff, Takes
am Interesting Trip ana
Learns the Facts I'm the
Case.

AN interesting Tip ana
Learns the Facts I'm the
Case.
There has been a grea. deal Of dissatis.
faction on account OF the meagreness OF
actual reliable facts In connection with
the Shirley murder. No authoritative com
munications have been received from Ell
gin, and the news gathered by all news
DaDers thus far has been second handed.
The dispatch from Bastrop was so at Vari-
ance with all oths reports, that IL became
highly necessary to place the matter In u
more reliable light, in order to substanti-
ate what has been already sent from
Austin, and published In this paper. The
enterprise OF the STATESMAN has fur
nished this by actual. personal investiga-
ton, and we are now prepared
TO confirm all the leading asser-
ti0ns heretofore set forth In
these columns and add great many new
and interesting facts TO the testimony
now before the public. In order TO learn
rom the people concerned the actual
facts of the shooting, the inquest and sub.
sequent trial, "A STATESMAN reporter was
eWorn In rs a special deputy sheriff, visit
ed both Elgin and Bastrop, and inter-
/ viewed many persons directly cognizant
Of the particulars of the case, including
Miss Maynard, some Of the jurors and the
Justice oil the peace ut Elgin. On reach
Ing McDade the deputy entered hack
for Bastr0p, in which were seated MIR.
Pet Fowler, Mr.. Hodge, a prominent
-eolored citizen of Bastrop, and the driver,
the deputy occupying the front seat
with the driver. On the road 30 Bastrop
Mr.. Fowler asked IL the deputy was not
an Austin man. On being assured that
ne was a San Antonio business man, Mr..
Fowler relapsed into silence, and the con-
forsatlon regarding San Antonio matters
was carried on between Mr.. Hodge, the
driver and the deputy, the friendly bottle
OF the latter being passed around
out copy of Wednesdays STATESMAN
aad employed his time reading its ac-
i count oil the latest news obtainable in the
case. AS he folded up the paper and put
y In his pocket, tue deputy suggested
that IL was about time for another pull at
the bottle. The Thompson case and
other matters were discussed, but the OBJ
ject of the deputy's mission was not
touched upon by the party. on arriving
at Bastrop, Mr.. hodge was lett at his
residence, Mr.. Fowler was taken to his
home aud the other member of the trio
OF passengers was left at the Nicholson
house, only "A few doors from FOwler's
residence. The Investigator then pro-
ooeded, in company with some of the
other guests, to go through the town, en-
foring most of the public places which
were open, constantly on the alert to
catch any remarks which might be made
In his hearing, IN order that the Bastrop
side Of the ease might be fully learned
and public opinion fairly sounded. Re-
turning 70 the hotel, the circle OF com.
mercial travellers and other guests,
around the blazing wood fire,
very shortly began to discuss the
case, ant the deputy had an excellent
To- ma Ia. nfal 20
the opinions of those who had been at
Elgin, McDade and Bastrop, and learned
many points which were to form the basis
OF the morrow's investigation. 1t was re-
marked by one gentleman that Fowler
must have inspired, II he did not write /,
the Bastrop telegram, as IL coincided In
every particular with the statements
made by him on his return from Elgln
alter the shooting.
PUBLIC OPINION IN BAsTRoP.
OF those seated around the fire In the
Nicholson House parlor, five were of the
opinion, from all the facts they could
CLEAN, that the shooting was unwarrant-
able under the circumstances, only one
having the contrary opinion. From con-
rorsation with many groups OF men, and
expressions heard from many others dur
1ng the morning, IL Is certainly safe to say
that public opinion IL now large
~ divided, whereas at first,
as was perfectly natural, the SYM
patty OF Bastrop was unanimously
with their unfortunate towntolk. The
articles which appeared in the STATES
NAN are accredited with this change In
public sentiment, on account of the rea
soning employed, based on an abstract
question without regard to any evidence,
viz: that had Shirley been guilty as
charged, the killing was still unjustifia-
BILE. for the mans life should have been
1f1nrod TINT nronar las al ranaralf0n mn oh .
have been made, and Miss Maynard's
good name lett untarnished before the
world.
In order to remain incog. the deputy
enfered into business negotiations with
r parties In Bastrop. and 1t became neces-
cary for him to 90 10 the office of the Bas-
tfop ddtsrtissr. Here all hands were
found discussing the matter In q very
strong manner, the prejudice In favor Of
Mr.. Maynard being very great indeed.
Callers were reading the SrATEsMAN,
q Asrs. Post and ExPrsss to ascertain the
latest Developments, and one ex-
cited individual thrust the STATES
BAN into the deputy's hand and
U1de him read that shameful article
written by that s. ola b. on the STATES
NAN" The young people about the Office
ore talking about the propriety of
4ohoing the STATESMAN office and lynch
~ few Of the cranks who were rum
bling its columns. The deputy did not
<Isclose his identity to this select gather
IA OF his newspaper friends. Mr.. May
n|rd had not appeared on the streets but
I/>IIo since the shooting, until the morn
INK of the deputy's visit. Mr.. Fowler
len Bnstr0p for Elgin on Thursday
morning at six o'clock, which fact was
shortly ascertaIned by the deputy, who
decided to obtain an interview with Miss
Maynard, who was at fowler's house.
On arriving at the residence, Mrs. Fowler
came 70 the door and on request to see
her being made, the deputy was informed
ing who was her physician, Mrs. Fowler
said they had not called one. rs her Ill
meas was merely piostrstion from the
terrible ordeal through which she
had passed. On pressing the request
fof an interview, Mrs. Fowler went in
% see Miss Lula and ascertain IL she
would see the deputy In a few moments
thc bind girl was led into the parlor, and
the guest Didden to enter.
THE INTERVIEW.
Being left alone with Miss Maynard. the
deputy could but note the fearful effects
= 80 tbs awful excitement under which she
has been laboring- Educated, refined,
and exQoIsitively sensitive, the shock TO
her nervous system has been enough to
SKATER her life. Her great trouble, in
addition 10 her life inffmity, makes her
coooition most pIliable to behold. On
tli0 10 she deputy:
~Do not ask me to talk about the SUBJ
ject / am too IN. cannot speak Of 4. -
And hers she lost her self-control, and
turned shuddering and sobbing away.
On being further questioned. after she
had become somewhat more composed,
11c replied
n cannot answer any questions now
but ~NCu the time comes for me TO speak.
viii tell the whole truth, and nobody
can influence me In any way"
Several questions elected no response
except that sho really could not and
would not answer any questions. On be-
~ asked II she refused or her own free
&ccord, uniufluenced by others, she re-
II have amind Of my own aud have not
been Influenced by any one 1 refuse to
<1I< on the subject from sheer inability 70
ing ny MUD TO think of or talk upon
Pie "details OF the case. Ny family and