The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-08-23
SENSATIONAL SHOOTING.
In Which Prominent Folks are
Seriously Involved.
Mr.. Walter Swan Under Arrest
on Three Charges of Assault
to Murder.

Late last night a sensational shooting
occurred at the residence No. 1906 Con-
gress avenue, in which Mr.. Walter S.
Swain, Mr.. w. R. Garner and Miss Maria
L. Dowd, were interested
Shortly after the occurrence a STATES
MAN reporter visited the locality.
The residence, large two story build
ing, is the property of Mr.. Swain, and he
has it rented to Miss Maria Dowd, who,
with her sister, Miss Amelia and their
brother, keep boarders, Mr.. Swain reserv-
ing and occupying two rooms on the
second floor, he and his wife taking their
meals elsewhere.
Miss Maria Dowd, whom, it is alleged,
Mr.. Swain fired at, is prepossessing and
very intelligent lady, and was 10th to ap-
pearing in the papers.
She was considerably excited when the
reporter called, and was not disposed to
be communicative.
She informed the reporter that she and
Mr.. Swain had had some words about a
servant of Mr.. SWANS leaving, and that
Mr.. Swain used words which provoked her
to say that ''such language was unbecom-
ing gentleman"
MI. Swain was standing on the
stairway at the time, and his wife on the
same near their head. Mrs. Swain made
a remark which Miss Dowd construed to
be insulting, and she retorted that ono
lady would use such language"
Just as she said this Miss Dowd says
Mr.. Swain drew his pistol, and exclaim-
ing "Pll kill any id person who says
my wife is not lady," fired at her, the
ball barely missing her head, and entering
the hall floor.
Mr.. w. R. Garner, who was present at
the time, corroborates Miss Dowd's
statement, and says if he had
not pushed her aside just as Swain fired
she would have been killed.
He also stated to a reporter that Swain
attempted TO shoot him, swapping his
pistol four or five times at him in the
hall.
Garner says he backed out of the hall
on to the back gallery, Swain, it is alleged
following him trying to get his pistol to
go off. 1t failed to fire, however, and
Garner, unarmed, jumped the yard fence
and left.
Mr.. Garner also alleges that Mr.. Swain
snapped his pistol at Miss Amelia Dowd.
Mr.. Swain admits that he had some words
with Miss Marie E. Dowd while on the
stairway, and alleges that she used Ian
guage which he considered highly insult
ing to his wife.
He informed her so, and added rather
forcibly that if she had any gentleman
friends to take it up he was perfectly
willing for them to do SO, or words to that
effect.
Just then Mr.. Garner stepped out of
the parlor, and, it is alleged, took up the
matter, at the same time throwing his
hand back on his hip as
if to draw a pistol. Swain
then drew his pistol and fred at Garner,
who rushed out of the hall, knocking over
Miss Dowl as he did so.
Swain further alleges that he followed
him into the yard and called to him, "If
you are unarmed, come back-Ill not
hurt you," but Mr.. Garner did not return.
Mr.. Swain then got his wife
and left the premises. He subsequently
surrendered to Constable Crenshaw,
and gave bond in the sum of $500 to
answer this morning to charge of simple
assault.
He was released from custody, but at
1850 o'clock last night Mr.. W. R. Garner
made three complaints against him, one
for assault to murder Miss Maria Z.
Dowd, one for assault to murder Miss
Amelia Dowd and one for assault to muf-
der W. R. Garner.
Mr.. Swain was arrested and promptly
gave bond in the sum of $1,000 for his
appearance this morning.