The morning call., 1891-08-05
THE TRUTHS OUT.
J. G. HOWell's Motive for Shoot.
ing r. S. COlvin.
systematized Attacks in an Obscure Sheet
Upon Young Lady-A Plea OF Self
Defense Raised by the Accused.

pher X. S. Colyin in Oakland on Monday
night, was the founder of the Healdsburg
Russian River Flag. An investigation Of
the tragic occurrence yesterday showed that
the shooting grew out of the systematic
publication of covert attacks upon the char
acter of Miss Annie B. Howell, daughter of
the assailant, and public school-teacher in
East Oakland.
Two hours after the shooting Colvin was
visited by Mrs. Percy Maxwell. formerly a
chorus girl in this city. After her departure
he was convinced that he could not survive
his injuries and he dictated the following as
his dying statement:
THE ANTE MoRTEM DECLARATION.
OAKLAND, Aug. 5, 1891.
Maxwell was over all evening and had told
me that Howell was coming over TO see me about
that matter. Tie trouble about his daughter,
We walked around / walked around with
Maxwell and We had few drinks. We met MT.
Howell on Broadway, between Eighth and Ninth
streets, and starred up 10 my room. told Max
we'll not TO come up. as l wanted TO speak 10 MIR.
Howell alone. Maxwell came on up, neverthe-
less. on our way Up, out In tho nall he called
me aside and whispered 10 me not to tell Mr..
Howell that he (Ma1welD had written those let
tiers 10 his daughter. We came into the room,
and as soon as we got In Howell said Throw up
your handsi" l said, "Why. Mr.. Howell, you
don't want to shoot me; aM unarmed. Let US
settle this thing" Then he began 10 shoot and
nothing more. All said was, Don't XIII me.
for God sake | have no pistol" maxwell was
witness for him, aud went out alter Two or
three shots had been fred.
This is true aud correct statement and
sign 1t In the belief that will not live.
r. S. CoLvIN.
Witnesses: W. j. Heating, sol. n. Sheridan.
CoLvIN's PERSISTENT DEVoIRs.
As regards the facts leading up TO the
shooting it appears that four years ago the
wounded man first met Miss Howell at a
church social. He seemed to be infatuated
with her at sight, but she did not recipro-
cate his passion and discouraged his ad-
vances. He persisted in calling upon her
and finally lie wrote insinuati ting letters to
her. With this Colvin was not content, and
after starting an obscure publication styled
''The Oracle" in partnership with one
Sackett Cornell, he continued to besmirch
her character.
In fact he carried on such a systematic
persecution, even to logging her in the
streets, that it became intolerable. After
quarreling with Cornell, he published
sheet called The Current Comment, in which
by various innuendoeS he continued his at
tacks upon Miss HOwelFS character and also
upon her father. The appended dOggerel,
which every one recognized as referring to
Miss Howell, was printed in Colvin's paper
on the 18th ult.:
THE EAST OAKLAND sCHooLMAAM
You're exceedingly tan.
And exceedingly straight,
Your figure IS meant 10 command.
You've lovers iu plenty,
From eighty TO twenty,
But the supply doesn't meet the demand.
You sing like an angel,
Your face Is TO match.
Your dancing is something to dream OF
As NE glide down the hall IN the dreamiest waltz
How tender and gentle you seem, love
But, alas. when next day,
/ wildly
To catch one of the glances You throw.
You turn quite away,
And disdalnfully say,
am an East Oakland teacher. you know.
And there as you stand
School basket In hand,
And demeanor exceedingly Staid,
slowly pass Oy and say with sigh.
You're bound to be an old maid"
And con over the names OF other swell DANES
OF LIZZIE and Maggie and Fannie,
In W hose eyes have gazed,
And whose beauty pve praised,
But there's none 10 compare with my Annie.
COMPLAINT MADE BY HER.
II is said that less than one week ago Col
win sent a threatening letter to Miss
Howell, and at last she complained to her
father. Howell accordingly made an ap-
pointment to meet COlviu on Monday night,
and about ten minutes before the shooting
| COlvin and man named Maxwell the hus-
| band Of the Mrs. Maxwell already referred
| TO, met Howell at the corner of Eighth
'
| to Colyn's Office.
At the head of the stairs Maxwell whis
pered to Colvin: Don't tell Howell that
| wrote those letters to his daughter" When
Covin entered Howell drew revolver and
fired five shots in quick succession, as mar
rated yesterday morning.
" bile IN the Oakland Jail, soon after the
affair. Howell did not deny that the shoot
ing was the result of Colvin's persecut ion
of his daughter for years. He claimed fur
fbarr ho,-a IT, otF At.
declined to enter into the merits of this plea
PUBLIC OPINION DIVIDED.
Howel's wife and three young children
live on a farm in Placer County. He is
well connected. and j. s. Clarkson, his
brother-in-law, is Chairman Of the Republi-
can National Committee. Public opinion
is much divided over the unfortunate oc-
| currenee. 1t seems TO be generally conceded
that Colvln was not justified in publishing
| the squibS in his paper, which were of
| themselves harmless, but annoying to the
young lady and her family, yet there are
| not many who justify Mr.. Howell in shoot
| ing him IN the manner in which he did.
1t was frequently stated that a cowhidng
| would have been much more appropriate.
| Judge Ogden of the Police Court stated to n
| CALL representative during the afternoon
| yesterday that he had a conversation with
| COlyin about 8 o'clock in the evening on
| Monday, and the latter told him that he
| was to meet Mr.. Howell that evening. and
| he believed that every thing would be ar
| ranged amicably and he would be allowed
to meet Miss Howell. He seemed to be
| happy and in very pleasant MOOD.
CoLVIN ANXIOUS TO MEET HOWELL.
As Mr.. GOWN is the shorthand reporter
| for the Police Court Judge Ogden had, by
| the advice of mutual friends, spoken 10
| Colvin about the matter previously, and he
| had agreed to leave ont all reference to the
young lady or her family in future issues of
| his paper, but he was anxious to meet Mr..
| Howell and make certain explanations to
| him.
| At a late hour last night Colvin was rest
| ing easily, and strong hopes are entertained
| of his recovery An examination revealed
the fact that only four of the shots struck
him, and three OF these have been extracted.
HowelPs daughter and number of
| friends visited him during tho day and
| evening at the City Prison. No charge has
as yet been entered opposite his name on
| the register.
Perry Maxwell, who is believed to have
| had much to do with the events leading up
| to the shooting and was in the roum when
| IL bpUan pnnpot hn fouuI