The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
PHENIX CITY IS
 GREATLY EXCITED Still a Mystery About the
 Waller Burglary CARDS ARE PUBLISHED The Town Marshall Dscontinues His Search for the Robber at the Re-
 quest of Members of
 the Family.
CARDS ARE PUBLISHED

Phenix City, February 24-(special)- This little city has been stirred as seldom in its history by series or exciting and unusual circumstances which eliminated today in the publishing of signed cards in local paper by W. C. Campbell, mar shal of Phenix City, and Miss Minnie Waller. well-known young lady.
 Some three weeks ago there occurred at the residence of MT. Samuel Waller, just west of Phenix City, one of the most exciting and outrageous affairs in the history of Lee county. A lone burglar, while prowling through the hodse, was discovered in a dark room by members of the family. He began shooting at the fam 1 fly, who fled out into the yard. MT. Waller is old and infirm and had no weapon with which to defend his household, so he started to town for help.
 Met By Burglar. As two elderly ladies, Mrs. Waller and Mrs McCrean, ran through the yard they were met by the burglad, who fired at them, although without hitting them. One of the shots struck the spectacles on Mrs. McCreans nose. shattering them. with | out, however, injuring her eyes. The ladies and two negro women, servants, took refuge in a servants house in the | back yard, locking the door. The bur
  in the ladies jumped through the win dows. The negroes also jumped out about the same time.
 The whereabouts of the party in the house would perhaps not have been dis covered had it not been for the fact that the negro women, in their terror, be- gan praying aloud. Mrs. McCrean was painfully injured in getting through the window. but she ran to the house of neighbor a half mile away. Mrs. Waller crawled up under the residence.
 Set Fire to Building.
 The burglar set fire to the servants house, which burned to the ground. Mrs. Waller remained under the house until the rescuing party from Phenix City ar rived on the scene.
 Marshal Campbell immediately began an investigation of the case. It seemed shrouded in mystery, as the persons at the house seemed unable to state whether the burglar was white or colored. He ob- tained clue, however, which he worked up, and now asserts that he obtained enough circumstantial evidenc to create the very strong suspicion, if not proof that the burglar was a eminent young business man of ColumDus
 The marshal states that his investiga- tions were brought to a close, however by the disposition of Miss Minnie Waller not to prosecute the case. He produces statement signed by her. to the effect that she did not care to prosecute the case. This statement was published, and Miss Waller replied in a card yesterday afternoon in which she said, in effect, that she only gave the statement, or notice, to MT. Campbell at his earnest solicitation, that he might clear himself before the police cmomittee of the Phenix City coun- cil.
 Is an Unjust Statement.
 She says that the use of the statement in the way that the marshal used it is un- just, and that 1t causes her to be placed in q false light; that she does not object to a prosecution, If the investigation of the case Is gone about properly, and any real clues are followed ntelligently. Miss Waller is the daughter of Mir. and Mrs. Samuel Waller.
 To her card Marshal Campbell makes reply in a card published this morning, in which he reterates his assertion that he had a good clue in the case. and could have worked it up and made an arrest. with a chance to convict, had it not been for Miss Walters attitude in the matter, in declining to prosecute.
 Ii is said the Lee county grand jury may investigate the case.