davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23
LEADING M'SHANN To HIS
DEATH IN DISMAL SWAMP
Child Wife UnfOldS Awful Story
of Brutal and COWardly
Crime to Jury.

Mrs. Minnie Crosby has confessed
that she pulled the trigger which sen
the contents of double-barrelled sho
gun into the head of J. r. McShann
whose mutilated body was Wednes
day found in secluded spot near the
Bouie street bridge in Leaf River
swamp.
: G. L. Crosby, husband of the woman
Aheld the gun in his hands, took delib-
/rate aim at McShann's throat, while
xshe reached over his shoulder and
r pulled the trigger
The confession was made to Deputy
Sheriff D. G. McGilvray in a cell of
the new county Jail, after the woman
had been before the coroner's jury
and denied all knowledge of the crime.
Later last evening, she was induced
to again appear before the coroner's S
jury where between sobs she repeated
the grewsome details of the tragedy
absolutely without a parellel in the
criminal of Mississippi.
She admitted that she had been in
innate with McShann; that she had
met him near the Bouie street bride
time and again during the several
weeks preceding the tragedy. With
her lips drawn and perspiration drop
ping from her pretty forehead, her
bosom heaving with emotion, she told
how her husband had intercepted the
correspondence between McShann and
herself, and the threats which he made
at the time; how under threats of
death she had agreed to assist in de-
coying McShann into the swamp in Or
der that he might be murdered.
I 1t was Thursday night before Easter,
gshe said, that Crosby stood over her
{ with revolver in his hand and dictat-
ed a letter to McShann, in which she
begged the young man to meet her at
the bridge and to come alone" This
letter was mailed by her husband, who
received and opened McShann's reply.
in which he promised to comply.
The Date Arranged.
The date was made for Easter Sun
day morning at II o'clock. On Friday
night Crosby and his wife went to the
swamp, picked out the most secluded
spot in the vicinity of the bridge and
concealed a shotgun under a log. Sit.
ting on this log, the two planned the
killing OF McShann in detail, the man
insisting that the women should pull
e trigger.
Sunday morning Crosby and his wife
8ieft their home in Petal, suburb of
Hattiesburg, and went to the bridge
where Mrs. Crosby waited for Nc
Sham and Crosby went to station him
self behind the log with the gun.
McShann appeared at the appoint
ed time. when Mrs. Crosby says that
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23

All of the parties denied any knowl
edge OF of the crime, but the sheriff
and his deputies were convinced of
the fact that one or more of them
committed the murder.
The coroner's jury had failed to fix
the responsibility, all of those un-
der arrest having been examined
when Deputy Sheriff d. G. McGilvray
secured the confession from Ms.
Crosby, which was subsequently, re.
peated before the jury, and which re-
suited in a full confession from Cros-
by, the husband.
Prisoners Separated.
Immediately after the arrest of the
four prisoners, it was decided to con-
fine them in separate cells, to prevent
conversation, and to this strategy ON
the part of the sheriff is probably due
the fact that Crosby's, wife finally
broke down and confessed the entire
story.
Hoped He'd Not Hang.
Before making her confession TO
Deputy McGilvray Mrs. Crosby asked
him if he thought her husband would
be hanged for the crime, if proven
guilty of killing McShann. She sail
that she did not want him to hang.
though she realized the fact that he
had committed murder.
Deputy McGilvray made her no
promises, but told her frankly that
he thought the best policy would be
to tell the truth.
Woman Is Pretty.
Mrs. Minnie Crosby, as previously
stated, is only fifteen years of age
She is a little more than five feet tall
weighs about 120 pounds, has brown
hair and eyes, and is decidedly at
tractive. She looks to be a few years
older, but those who know her say
that she has aged rapidly in the past
few weeks
Threatened to Kill Her.
Mrs. Crosby says that when her hus-
band first learned of her infatuation
for McShann that he threatened to
kill her, declaring that she had ruined
his life. an dthat he had a great mind
to end it all. She admits that she was
afraid of him, and that she lived in
mortal terror for fear that he would
carry out the threat.
When she met McShann at the
bridge to lure him to his death, she
admits that she had ample opportu-
nifty to tell him to flee for his lie,
but she knew that in doing so she
would encompass her own death at
the hands of her husband.
Woodruffs Liberated.
The confessions of Crosby and his
wife completely exonorated E. l..
Woodruff and his wife, arrested on
suspicion of completely in the killing
of McShann, and they were immedi-
ately given their liberty.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23

A.-Didnt say anything much about
1t.
Q.-Did he agree to it-what you
had written?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Have you heard anything more
since about the letter since it was
written-about the contents of it?
Al got an answer to it Saturday,
I believe.
Q.-What did the answer say?
A.-That he would meet me there,
and for me to be sure and come.
Q.-Who got the letter.
Any husband got It,
Q.-What did he do with it?
Ale gave it to me.
Q.-Was he mad about the letter?
Ale was mad after he read the
letter.
Q.-That was on Saturday?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Then what did you do?
Ale brought the letter and gave
it to me, and showed it to him.
Odd you have any agreement
about what you would do?
A.-No, sir.
Odd you talk it over and make
any agreement about it?
A.-No, sir.
Q.--Was anything said about kill
ing?
Ale wanted me to kill him; he
said that if l didn't kill him that he
would
Q.-When he first got onto this
what did he do?
Ale didn't do anything.
Odd he whip you or abuse YOU
at any time.
Ale got mad with me about going
to the postoffice; told me not to 60
and I went, anyway, and he got mad
about it.
Odd he whip you?
A.-No, sir.
Odd he ever threaten to kill
you?
A.-No, sir; not until after we had
killed that man. Then he said that
he would never dissatisfied until he
had buried me.
Q.-Who suggested the plan to kill
McShann?
Al did.
Q.-What did you tell your husband
about that?
Ale said he wanted me to kill
him, and told him we would get him
down in thhe swamp and kill him
there.
Odd you know his name was
MsShann?
Ayes. sir; he said his name was
McShann.
Q.-What name did you sign to the
letter you wrote him?
A.-Jones.
Q.-What Jones?
A.-Minnie Jones.
Q.-You say the letters we had
here yesterday?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-You acknowledged them as be-
ing your letters.
A.-Yes, sir.
Q.-Here is one of the letters
hand you dated the 18th of March;
do you acknowledge that as being
yours?
Ayes, sir.
Q-Here is one of the 25th of
March; do you acknowledge that one?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Look at the signature?
Al know it is mine; can tell
my writing.
Odd you have any trouble with
your husband on Saturday or Satur'
day night before Easter at all?
A.-No, sir.
Q-When was It that you had the
trouble with him. did YOU have serious
trouble with him?
At was after We had killed th'
man. We Just had row after We
had killed him: Il was after we hs'
killed
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23
CONFESSION OF MRS. CROSBY.

Questions Asked Witness by Coroner
Farley During Examination.
Question.-What is your name?
Answer.-Minnie Jones Crosby.
Owe will begin at the writing of
that letter on Thursday before Easter
Sunday; did you write a letter to Nc
Sham on Thursday before Easter
Sunday. Wednesday or Thursday?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-What were the contente of that
letter?
Al don't know just exactly
and to come alone; that Pearl couldn't
come.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23
ESTIMATED about 20 feet.)
Q.-What did you do then?
A.-Went back home.


Q.-What did you do then?
A.-Went back home.
Q.-What did you do then?
A.-Cooked breakfast.
QDid you eat your breakfast then?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Then what did you do?
Al cleaned up, and then we went
over there to meet that man. We
got there about o'clock and stayed
until about half-past eleven.
Q.-When you started there that
time, how did you go?
Aground by Mr.. Freeman's.
Q.-Did you go the same route?
A-No. sir; we went around the
field this time. "a
Q.-Then what did you do?
Ave picked the gun up and
Q.-Who picked the gun up?
Ale picked it up.
Q.-Then what did you do?
Allowed on over there where
that clay root was.
Q.-How far?
Al don't know, sir.
Q.-Then what did he do?
Ale set down behind that clay
root, and laid the gun across his lap.
On hiding position?
A.-No, sir; not exactly; that +,
low could have seen him IL he trie
He wasn't exactly hiding-kind
squatting down.
Q.-Then what did you do?
Al went on down to meet Il
man.
Odd you meet him?
Ale hadn't come. stayed the
only short time, and went on bac
Ole hadn't come the first tim,
A.-No, sir.
Q.-Then what did you do?
Al went on back to my husban
Odd you tell your husband ]
hadn't come?
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Did your husband say to yd
there, to let's not 1t?
A-No, sir; he say we ought n
! to do It. but that he wanted him deal
(rcr4,ruaa an p.vn r,o,,N
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23
:: :. ..*******s.: !. :: ..*:. :. :.
3 CoRoNER's JURY HAS :.

ne UHNED A VERDICT. Z:
" We, the jury, duly empaneled =:
= and sworn by David Farley, cor ::
" orner end ranger of Forrest coun- :.
: ty, Miss, to view and examine :.
= the body of ]. R. McShann, found :.
: by d. w. McDuff on April 81, :.
: 1909, in Leaf River Swamp one :.
= quarter of mile north of Hat :,
: tiesburg and Petal road, do find :.
:: that said McShann did come to :.
= his death at the hands of G. i. :.
:" Crosby and his wife. Minnie, by :.
: shooting the saideMcShann with :.
!. a shotgun.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23
NARROWING DETAILS IF GRlESOE TRAGEDY FROM LIPS F Woman
CHILD W1EE WAS LURED

was found, lay on the table, and Cros-
by begged the coroner to take it away
early in his confession. He denied
that the jagged hole in the back of
the head had been made by a blunt
instrument, as at first supposed, de-
claring that he never touched the
body after it fell.
The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-04-23

Continued on Page Four)
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
: Woman's Suffrage.

Savings Of noted men on the Suff-
rage question:
Theodore Roosevelt says: IL believe
in the rights of woman just as much
as do Ia those OF men and In fact a
little more" No family can becom e
all that it should be if the mother
does not keep in touch sufficiently
with outside interests aud what is
going on in the world, TO become an
intellectual stimulus TO her children.
When member Of the legislature he
voted for Woman Suffrage and when
governor he recommended it in h S
annual message.
William II. Taft:-"My first paper
was on Woman Suffrage. was a
strong advocate for it at that time
and i have not changed my mind"
Abraham Lincoln:-."I 20 for all
sharing the privilege of government
who assist in bearing its burdens, by
no means excepting women."
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
Indigestion Enes.

You can eat anything your stomach
Graves without fear Of case OF Indi-
gestion or Dyspepsia, or that your
food will ferment or sour on your
stomach If you will occasionally take
a little Diapepsin after eating.
Your meals will taste good, and
anything you eat Will be dgested:
nothing can ferment or turn into acid
or poison or stomach gas, which caus-
rs Belching, Dizziness, feeling Of
fullness after eating. Nausea. Indi-
gestion (like lump of lead in stom-
ach), Biliousness, Heartburn, Water
brash, Pain in stomach and intestines
or other symptoms.
| Headaches from the stomach are
absolutely unknown where this effec-
tive remedy is used. Dlapepsin real
ly does all the work of a healthy stom-
ach. 1t digestS your meals when your
stomach can't. Each triangule will
digest all the food you can eat and
leave nothing To ferment or sour. :
| Get large 50-cent case of Pape, S
Diapepsin from your druggist and
start taxing today and by tomorrow
you will actually brag about your
healthy. strong Stomach, for you then
can eat anything and everything you
want without the slightest discom-
fort or misery, and every particle of
impurity and Gas that is in your
stomach and intestines is going to De
carried awav without the use Of laxa-
tives or any other assistance.
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
Cantata Ruth"
At Lovcday Opera House Next
Friday Evening.

On next Friday evening. March 26,
the High School Chorus assisted by
local talent, under the auspices or
Miss Comstock, director of music,
will render the sacred cantata Ruth, F"
at L0yeday Opera House.
The cantata is taken from the Bible
story Ruth" The first part "Sor-
row" gives us a picture OF Naomi be-
reaved of sons, in the country of Moab.
The first chorus takes up the famine
which had fallen over the land Of
judah. In the following solos and
trio we have the farewell of Naomi
to her two daughters with the beauti-
full picture of Ruth the Moabitess
who left her kindred to go with her
mother into Judah. The first part
closes with the return of Naomi and
Ruth to judah. now land of JOY and
plenty.
The second part Of this Cantata
"Ioy" Is laid ia the harvest field at the
abode Of Naomi at the gate Of Bethle-
hem. 1t opens with the chorus of
Reapers who go forth at the first rays
OF morning TO CLEAN in the fields.
The following parts deal with the
cleaning OF Ruth in the fields where
she meets Boaz, Naumi's kinsman.
The two closing choruses, the Wed
ding Chorus" anl "Rejoice, around
us blessings fall" are the climax Of
the whole cantata and give us the
closing pictures in the beautiful
story.
The part OF Ruth is taken by Mrs.
Stanley Bush, Naomi by Miss Hazel
Stevens, Orpah by Miss Marian NAL
pass, and Boaz by Clarke Haire, Jr.
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
WANTED-Men and teams To haul

WANTED-Men and teams to haul
logs from my place in Echo township
to the E. j. l.. Co.'S Mill A. Apply to
Eugene Bowen,
X. f. ID. No. 5, East Jordan, Mich.
Nothing In the way of IA Cough is
quite SO annoying as tickling. teas
ing' wheeling, br0nchia Cough. The
quickest relief comes perhaps from a
prescription known TO Druggists
everywhere as DR.. ShoOp's Cough
Remedy. And besides, it is so thor
oughly harmless that mothers give it
with perfect safety even the youngest
babes. The tender leaves of a simple
mountain shrub, give to Or. Shoop's
Cough remedp its remarkable curative
effect. A few days test will tell.
Sold by James Gidley.
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
Do You Open Your Mouth

Like young bird and gulp down what.
ever food or medicine may be offered you?
Or, do you want to know something of the
composition and character Of that which
you take into your stomach whether as
food or medicine?
Most intelligent and sensible people
nowadays insist on knowing what they
employ whether as food or as medicine.
DR.. Pierce believes they have a perfect
right to insist upon such knowledge. So he
publishes, ,>eroadcast and on each bottle
wrapper, what IBIS medicines are made Of
and vexifes ityunder-eat This he feels
he can we%lxAtford 70 do because the more
the lngredlents Of which his medicines
are made are Studied and underst0od the
more will theIT superior curative virtues
be aIlreclated.
For the cure OF woman's peculiar weak
nesses, Irregularities and arrangements,
giving rise to frequent headaches. back
ache, dragging-down pain or distress in
lower abdominal or pelvic region, accom-
panied, ofttimes, with a debiltating,
pelvic, catarrhal drain and kindred symp-
toms Of weakness, DIR. Pierce's Favorite
Prescription Is most efficient remedy.
1t Is equally effective in curing painful
periods, In giving strength to nursing
mothers and in preparing. the system OF
the expectant mother for baby's coming,
thus rendering childbirth safe and COM
paratively painless. The rFavorite Pre-
scription Is most potent, strengthening
tonic TO the general system and TO the
organs distinctly feminine in particular.
1t Is also a soothing and invigorating
neryine and cures nervous exhaustion,
nervous prostration, neuralgia. hysteria,
spasms, choyea or st. Vitus's dance, and
other distressing nervous symptoms at
tendant upon functional and organic dis
eases OF the distinctly feminine organs
host OF medical authorities OF all the
several schools of practice. recommend
each of the several ingredients Of which
"Favorite Prescription" Is made for the
cure of the diseases for which it Is claimed
10 be cure You may read what they
say for yourself by sending a postal card
request for a free booklet of extracts
from the leading authorities, to DIR. r. ".
Pierce, Invalids' Hotel and Surgical In
stitute, Buffalo, N. Y, and 1t will come to
you by return post.
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
COUNTY NORMAL NOTES.

Mildred Drescher began practice
teaching in sixth grade reading last
week.
Com. J. II. Milford visited the nor
NAL class Thursday afternoon Df last
week. Mr.. Milford arrived i'm time to
hear a discussion on what caused the
four seasons Of the year.
Susie Sheldon began practice teach
ing in first grade reading last week.
Messages of greeting were received
from Mabel Benedict, '06, Grand
Ledge; Maggie Zeitler, 'O6, Bohemian
Settlement, East Jordan; Ruth Elk
strom, '07, Boyne City; Julia Ban
crofO 'Os, Vanderyilt: Alma Francis,
'Us, kindergarten college, Chicago.
Nine members OF the alumni were
present at the reception given by the
class OF '09.
Friday evening March IL. There
was a short program given after
which we enjoyed talk given by each
1.-THE Alumni. Miss Reed gave two
Interesting talks on her trip to
Europe.
Hazel Holiday substituted in the
fifth grade room Monday morning un-
ill Miss Lewis returned from her
home in East Jordan.
Lola Cross, class '08, visited the
normal class Monday morning. Miss
Cross Is teaching near East Jordan
aud is ENJOYING her work very much.
E6h Brodie returned Monday
March Is, to resume her school work
after weeks absence on account OF
illness.
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
DEEDS RECORDED.

List of transfers for the week end
ing March 18th, 1909.
William A. North to Gertrude G
Robinson, W of $ W t Sec % 33 n I
6 W. ST. l,00O.O 90.
Cutter & Knowles to G.. VOnP laten
Q ! of e sec "a 81 nr4. 1925 90.
Joseph w. MOsher TO Catherine Tu-
muth lot Heinemans add Ir0nton.
Sl25. 90.
Bessie Greenwood to A. S. Ham
mond, part lot II blk o Nichols lst
add South Lake. $4,000.
Elisha Shepard to Alfred T. Dem
crest, part lot Al blk G Boyne. $l,40O
Elroy KuDsman TO John II. Chart
ers, ] of W t sec l5 81 n re ".
$500 co.
Philip Bashaw TO VIM. Harrington,
lot % Bushes Add So. Arm. $500. 90.
Amandus Evers to First State Bank
of Petoskey, n W t of n ed sec II t 81
nr7w. S35O.O0.
AlOnZo Bsnett to Fred NachaZel.
nw4 of n et sec 33 t 81 nr Nv.
$475.0O
John Ross to Fred Nachazel, &c
acres Of sec rs t 81 n ri W. $500 .0O.
Minnie White TO Albert Jubenville
part lot 253 blk I Nichols & Morgans
Add So. Boyne. $4,000 & &C.
Wayne County Savings Bank to AL
bert l.. Tousley, WI Of e t sec q
t 33nr4 W. $4,000.
VIM. r. Lanway To w. Albert Ian
way part lot blk J So.Lake. $1,000
Peter +. McIntire To Fred Wolf
lot 24O Nichols & Morgans add Boyne.
$3.50. 90.
Fred Wolf to Fred Benser, lot 24C
Nichols s. Morgans add Boyne.
1926 20.
Chas. j. Mayors to Henry Happe,
part W t of n t sec 30 33 n re- W.
5000 90.
VIM. Il. Boswell to Mary A. Harris,
part lots and 2 blk 8 Nichols lst
add So Lake. $4,000.
Lawrence Doerr to Daniel E. Good
man, part lot blk CSC Lake. $50 90
Edward Newson to Amandus Evers,
ne of NV sec 10 81 nr I W
81, C00.OO.
ROMEO A. EMREY,
Register of Deeds
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
Election Notice.
To the Electors of the
County Of CharlevOix:

To the Electors of the
County Of Charlevoix:
Notice is hereby given that at a
meeting of tie Board of Supervisors
of said County held on the 18th day of
October 1908, the following resolution
was adopted:
Resolved, that the question Of
adopting the county road system be
submitted TO vote of the electors Of
the County Of Charlevoix at the next
general election to be held on the first
Monday in April A. ID. 1909.
Notice is further given that said
question will be stated on the ballots
to be used at said election as follows:
Shall the county road system be
adopted in the County of Charleyoix.
[ ] Yes.
Shall the county road system be
adopted in the County of Charlevoix,
[ ] No.
Dated March 18th. 1909.
DANIEL ). PAXTON,
Clerk of Charlevoix County.
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20

else his ordinary duties by seeing to
1t THAT THE LAWS ARE FULLY EN-
FORCED. The officers Of the law will
do their duty If we do ours. Our in
terests are mutual. Will we perform
the common duties Of good citizen
ship In this respect or will we digrace
our country and ourselves by becom-
ing accomplices la the offence?
The law is not alone negative In its
operation by fOrbidding that which IS
wrong; it is also positive In command
ing that which is right.
Press Committee OF
Local Option League.
Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1909-03-20
Notice of Dissolution.

Notice is hereby given. that the
partnership lately subsisting between
Dan Kale and Gus Kitsman, under
the firm name and style of Kale &
Kitsman, doing general restaurant
business at East Jordan, Michigan, Is
dissolved by the mutual consent OF
the co-partners, said Dan Kale retir-
ing therefrom. All debts owing to
said partnership are To be received by
said Gus Kitsman, and all demands
on the said partnership are TO be pre-
sented To him for payment.
Dated, March 10. 1909.
DAN KALE.
GUS KITsMAN.