The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-15
TROUBLE OVER CHILDREN.
Mrs. Belle Lancaster Attempted 10
Shoot Her Husband.

Mrs. Beile lancaster Attempted TO
Shoot Her Husband.
About 10 o'clock yesterday morning a
brisk-walking little woman, accompanied
by a little girl apparently 8 years of age,
and n scurrying hack containing one or
two gentlemen attracted the attention of
pedestrians on East Sixth street.
At the Robertson building, Just below
Red River street, the little woman and
girl shot into narrow passageway be-
tween Ives saloon and an adjoining store,
and 1T the same moment the hack drew
up, letting out its occupants who hhr-
ricdly followed the woman and her child.
A moment after the sharp crack of pis-
toll was heard. Then the screams Of Il
child and the voices of woman and man
pitched to a high key.
The connection quickly attracted a
crowd, and Officers Bell and GrizZard
took the woman. who did the shooting,
into custody. and conveyed her and the
little girl TO the police station, where she
gave the name of Mrs. Belle Lancaster,
wife of Fred Lancaster, deputy United
States marshal at San Antonio. She
was promptly turned over to the county
officers. and ut the Office of Justice Mat
Johnson Il Statesman reporter met her.
70 question she said:
Il was raised in Palo Pinto county
"When did you come to Austin, and
what is the nature of the trouble between
yourself and husband?'
Il came 70 Austin about two weeks
ago. bringing my three children with me.
Nv husband was not true to his mar
riage vows, and | left him, and he is now
TRYING to get the children. | room with Il
Mrs. Boydkins on East Sixth street, where
myself and little girl sleep, This morn
ing about = o'clock | was suddenly awak,
nued by some one catching hold of me ana
by the screams of my little girl. 1t was
my husband. but how he got into the house
| do not know. He was trying to get my
little girl, and my arms are all blue ana
sore from my struggle with him. There
finally left. He. however, got my niue
how. i years old, and little girl, years oid'
| had them at Mrs. Ranl;in's, on East Sew
Cuth street, across the creek and he wen.
thorp and rot them. | told him that II
hp ever assaulted me again | would XII
him. and | tried to do it this morning, ANA
in do it yet if he doesn't let me alone.
why did You shoot at him this morn
ingY' ,. .horo
Il had been to the police station. where
| sworc out complaint against nm lor
disturbing the peace, and was on my way
hack TO nv room at Mrs. Boydkin's, ana
when | turned into the passageway next
to Ives saloon he rushed i'll after me anu
knocked me through the cloth partition. |
drew nv gum always carry gun-aul
he grabbed my hand and pulled it down
inst rs | shot. or would have killed him.
and that is just what | tried to- do. lie
twisted the pistol out of my hand ana
gave j. to policeman. | left him once
before, about two years ago. lie woulu
not support me- and he has often threaten
cd TO Kill me, and has pressed his siX-shoot-
or against my face until it would cut 1t;
81 understand that you have been play
ing the piano at Dixie Darnells. Is IL
Yves, it is. ] could make more money
that way than I could ut doing anything
else, but I'm just as pure az Christ;
played at 10 in San Antonio, but l nave
never done anything wrong :.
How much do you make playing III
such housesT'
II get $50 a week with my board and
tins, which amount to great deal, MS
sometimes rich men. who learn that 1
have three children to support, often give
me n dollar or two
The reporter had quite talk with Mrs
Lancaster, and she is an expert III the USE
of slang, and frequently adds force to her
remarks by solid shot oath.
United States Marshal Dick Ware was
seen last afternoon, and he gave deputy
Lancaster n splendid reputation, both, MS
an officer and gentleman, and he mas
known him for years.
Other court officers all spoke highly OF
him, and The Statesman reporter, who met
Mr.. Lancaster. found him courteous
gentleman. He has filed suit for divorce
and wants the custody OF the Children 70