The herald., 1896-02-20
AFTER SIX LONG YEARS
Another Striking Instance Of
Where Murder Will Out
SURRENDERS TO THE SHERIFF
William Walters Gives Himself Up for a
Murder
April. Isoo-Ths Story Of the Fugi-
tive's Wanderings

man, apparently about 80 years of age and
dressed as a laborer, walked into Sheriff
Burr's Office at the courthouse and said
that he wanted to give himself up for a
murder committed in Alabama in April,
1890. The sheriff was taken by surprise,
and at first thought his VISITOR was q
crank, but a few questions convinced him
that he was sane, and he asked the man to
give him the particulars of his crime. The
strange visitor, after some little hesitation,
talked freely, telling the sheriff that he
was tired of the suspense and had finally
made up his mind to surrender himself,
and if the Alabama authorities wanted him
to return to that state and stand trial for
his crime, thus settling the matter once
and for all. His name, he said, was Will
lam Walters, and he had shot and killed
q man named Frank Maddox at Marka-
vile, Tuscaloosa county, Ala, on the 10th
of April, 1890. After satisfying himself
sent him over to the Jail aud telegraphed
the sheriff of Tuscaloosa county. asking
him if such man was wanted. The fol-
lowing reply was received at :45 o'clock
yesterday afternoon:
TUSCALOOSA, Ala, Feb. 10, 1896.
John Burr, Sheriff, Los Angeles, CAL:
Hold Walters. Will come with requisition
papers at once. T.. MooLE, Sheriff.
Immediately on receipt of the telegram
HERALD reporter, by the courtesy of Sheriff
Burr, was allowed to interview Walters in
the corridor of the county jail. On being
told by the reporter that the sheriff bad re-
ceived telegram saying that the Alabama
officers would come for him at once, Wal
ters' face frightened up, and he said that
I,x,, II Ix ~ a6 Of a
suspense would soon be over and he would
know his fate. r.. ..
Asked to give the particulars of his
crime, Walters replied that there was not
much to tell. He had been working as a
laborer in Tuscaloosa county, and the job
having played ont, he with companion
started to walk to another place where they
expected to find work. They were several
miles from Markayille, and we're walking
along the road when they met Frank Mad
dox and another man coming in
the opposite direction. Maddox had
some whisky in bottles which he
was carrying in sack over his shoulder.
He bought some of the whisky. which he
paid for, and was about proceeding on his
way. when Maddox again demanded pay
for the whisky, claiming that he had not
received the money. Walters says he re-
fused to paw again, and dispute arose.
Suddenly Maddox swung the sack over his
shoulder and brought it down with crush.
ing force on his head, breaking one of the
bottles and inflicting an ugly cut over his
eye. Walters says he was knocked down
and partially dazed by the blow, but on re-
covering, and thinking that Maddox was
about to follow up the attack, and while
lying on the ground he drew his revolver
and shot him. As the others gathered
around Maddox, who HAD fallen in the
road. he scrambled to his feet, and walked
<,T Oft +, 10 ~ CIR
Walters showed the reporter an old scar
over his eye, which he said was caused by
the cut from tho broken bottle, and con-
tinued his story. He said that he made his
way to the river, where he took passage on
boat and got out Of the state. From that
time he has been awanderer on the face of
the earth. He did not dare to remain long
in one place, for fear that he would be cap
tured, and wherever he went he was haunt
ed by the fear Of pursuit. He finally made
his way to the wilds OF Oregon and WASH
ington, where he worked in the logging
camps. Here he felt reasonably secure.
but the old feeling of unrest would come
upon him and he would again resume his
wanderings. More than once he said that
he had been on the point of surrendering
to the officers, but something kept him
back. At last he came to Los Angeles,
arriving here Tuesday. On Tuesday night
he slept at the Russ House, on First street.
AT least he occupied room at that
place, but there was not much sleep
for him. Early yesterday morning he got
up and began walking about the streets.
Again the impulse to give himself UP came
upon him, this time with overpowering
force, and he inquired his way to the court
house, where he told his story to Sheriff
Burr and asked to be locked up. Walters
said that he felt better now that he had re-
lieved his mind. He took a very hopeful
view of his case, and said that he was corr
fident of an acquittal il the witnesses could
be found and they would only tell the
truth. De-.
At this point Sheriff Burr came in and
notified Walters of the receipt of the tele.
gram, when he replied that he had heard
the news and was glad of it. On being told
that he would be we'll cared for until the
arrival OF the Alabama sheriff he thanked
the sheriff, and, excusing himself, returned
to the seat he had been occupying in the
corner OF the corridor, apart from the Other
prisoners, when the reporter entered the
s-su