The Glenwood post., 1908-01-18
Plea Of Beatrice Gordon Who
Killed Vim. 0. Shirey In
Denver Monday
WOMAN TELLS STORY

Denver, Jan. 16.-Miss Beatrice
Gordon will be held for trial in
the criminal division of the dis
trict court for shooting and kill
ing William O. Shirey, chief clerk
in the sheriff's office. The cor
oner's jury returned verdict OF
felonious homicide in the case last
evening at 5 O'Clock.
This morning Miss Gordon
seemed to be in good spirits when
she awoke on her cot in the ma
tron s department of the city jail.
She seemed concerned, however,
regarding her mother, and in
quired regarding her.
She also expressed wish to see
the body of Shirey before it is
placed in the grave. May l see
him in his coffin?' she inquired.
1t is a question whether the rela-
tives of Shirley will permit Miss
Gordon to view the remains.
The following, in part, is Miss
Gordon's story of her relations
with Shirey:
81 first met Mr. Shirey twelve
wears ago. | was boarding in his
house with friend of mine. His
wife was living with him then. l
did not know him well and soon
left. Eight years ago next May
again met him. He was intro
duced to me during one of the
carnivals. He took me home and
began paying me considerable at
tention. taking me to the theater
and to dinners. For three years
went with him and became init
mate. Finally, in 1902, in the
month of September, Mr.. Shirley
organized a camping party. He
wanted me to go along and l pro
tested. telling him it would never
do. But he insisted and finally |
consented against my better judg
ment. On the trip he lived with
me and l was known as his wife.
We camped for two weeks near
Gunnison, just above lola.
Marriage Ceremony Performed.
"The next year, | think in July
he asked me to go to California
with him. l refused but he again
insisted, saying that he wanted
me to go and that he would mar
nv me on the trip. With this hope
l went. We went first to Salt
Lake and then San Francisco, l
travelling as his wife all the time.
In San Francisco marriage GER
emony was performed which L
still believe to be legal. He Sc
cured license and brought it to
our room one day, with a man
whom he said was justice of the
peace. We were married, as |
thought, and / was so happy. We
then went to Los Angeles and
Santa Monica and while there he
would frequently stay out late at
night. He then accused me Of
having caused him physical in
trinity. I said that could not be.
"The language he used toward
me and the things he called me
were scandalous, but | cared for
him so that | was willing to put
I'D with it if he would only be
good to me most of the time.
"The latter part of August last
his sister, Ida Shirey, left for Cal
ifornia. l had been at the house
for some time with her. She was
the only mother the younger boys
had ever known, and again he
came to me and said, 'Bea, do not
leave me. You have never desert
ed me through all our trouble. Do
not leave me now and leave my
boys without care.
~ promised him I would stay
and teach Leon, who is like boy
of 8, though IA years old ! taught
him day after day and took him
to my room to work with him. !
worked for him (Shirey) around
the house. There was nothing too
mean or lowly for me to do for
him. Look at my hands and see
how l worked for him." she
sobbed, and held out her palms,
calloused and hard.