The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-09-14
ELI SHAW CONFESSES.
Says He Killed His Mother to Conceal Ao
cidental Shooting.


Philadelphia, Sept. 14-Eli Shaw, twice
tried by the Camden county court, New
Jersey, for the murder Of his mother aud
grandmother and finally acquitted thereof
confessed to the crime yesterday afternoon
after being confronted with the evidence of
his guilt by two members of the staff Of The
Philadelphia Times-Willism II. Hay and
Howard K. Sloan.
For days the movements of Eli Shaw have
been carefully watched His associates dur
ing that time have been questioned, old
friends with whom he at one time was in
timately connected were sounded and the
meshes of ciFcumstantial and deductive evil
dence were drawn closer and closer around
the central figure. After the accumulation
of evidence which allowed of no loophole of
escape it was decided to present it in its en-
tiretY to Eli Shaw. This WAS done without
delay.
The reporters referred to met Shaw on a
Camden street yesterday afternoon A
desultory talk on current topics followed
for few moments, which was switched upon
matter always of interest to him-his
feminine acquaintances.
Did you murder those women, Eli ?" came
the question,
The man hesitated.
"No--no-Yes / killed them Bat you
can't touch me-you can't touch me-" he
cried, boastfully.
But you can face a charge of perjury, +" re-
turned the reporter.
The effect of this remark was instantane.
Gus. Shaw's eyes blazed. He turned with
an angry snarl His right hand orept back
to his pocket.
None of that, Shaw p exclaimed one OF
his accusers striking down his arm.
Shaw swinging quickly on his heel ran
across the street, climbed over the high fence
of the West Jersey depot and boarded 8
moving train.
According to the evidence now in hand
Shaw has confessed that he caused the death.
Of Mrs. Emma Zane. his grandmother, and
one Sara H. Shaw, his mother, by shooting
them with a revolver on the night of October
l2, 1897, at their home, 242 Line street
Camden and that j. Clifton Darnell wal
present in the house at the said time
The story now told of the double crime il
that on the night in question. Shaw returned
to the Zane home after spending his none!
in house frequented by fast men anC
women. Shaw's mother was in bed. Hi
grandmother was sitting in her room. J
Clifton parnell, q relative, had been lef
waiting in the hall, when Shaw went in tn,
room and demanded money of his grand
mother, who refused to give it to him
Shaw, desperate at his grandmotheI's re
fusal to supply the money to continue hi
spree became sxaspeated and drew his re
volver. 1t was cooked aud loaded. II,
Aourished it in her face. The weapon ex
ploded and sent bullet crashing into he
brain CLOSE to the temple. She fell back il
her chair gasping, dying. Shaw stood horror
struck. In moment his mother, clad in he
night robe, appeared in the doorway rouseC
from her sleep by the report. The boy tolC
her that he had injured the old womon ac
cidentslly. His mother did not then knoy
the seriousness of the wound. Running int,
the front room she opened the bureau drawe
and seized roll of linen strips intending t
use them to staunch the blood fast running
down her mothers face. Meanwhile SHAY
had discovered the seriousness of the accident
He feared arrest. Then, tOo he was in
desperate plight because of other entangle
ments He needed money. His mothe
must be silenced. He looked at the revolve
in his hand and at the doorway. Then h
stole into the darkness of the next room
where he knew the only witness stood bend
ing over the bureau drawer. A second sho
sounded. His mother fell forward on he
faoe-dead.
Darnell, who had meanwhile gone to be,
in Shaw's room on the third floor, ran dow
stairs upon hearing the second pistol repor
and hurried Shaw out of the house upo
receiving his explanation of what ha
happened.
Although a chain of evidence without
missing link exists against Shaw, he is FIRE
man under the constitution, which provide
that person "shall not be put in leopard
of life or limb twice for the same Offense
but he can be put on trial for perjury, an
the New Jersey authorities will take steps i
this direction.