The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-03-25
FATHER SURPRISES
SHAUNTY'S SLAYER
Young Woman Who Killed HuS-
band Much Affected by
Parents Visit.
jUSTIFIES HIS DAUGHTER
AGED MAN AFTER TALK WITH
HER, EXCUSES HOMICIDE.

J. L. Vandaveer, aged father of Laura
Vandaveer Shaunty. who shot and killed
her husband, Private Paul Shaunty. al
Fort Douglas last week, arrived in Sal
Lake yesterday morning from his home
in Wellington, Kan.s and there was ar
affectionate greeting between parent and
daughter in the county jail. where the
woman is held, pending her trial in April
Mr.. VandaYeer. who is nearly 90 years OF
age. expects to remain until Sunday, and
will have talk with his daughters at
torney, Charles Gillette, with reference to
her defense.
Mr Vandaveer came here without his
daughter being aware Of his visit, and il
was not until the turnkey at the jail In
formed her OF her parents presence thai
she knew ne was in Salt Lake. The
meeting was most pathetic one, and for
upwards of three-quarters of an houI
they were allowed to converse.
To her father the woman declared she
had loved Shaunty desperately, and that
she bitterly regretted having killed him.
She said she would not have done what
she did If her husband had not struck
her the morning of the shooting. For
a MONTH" said Mr.. Vandaveer, Laura
carried a black eye, as the result Of his
sbuse of her. / have not been informed
of all of the facts, but Laura told me
that he constantly ill-treated her. The
morning OF the shooting he struck her
with such force that she nearly fell TO
the floor"
Tells Father All.
During their conversation the woman
expressed a desire for some luxuries, and
the kind old man, with great love, spent
some time up town buying cakes, oranges
and other delicacies for the girl, who is
one of twelve children, all the rest OF
whom live at or near wellington, Kan.
Mrs. ShaUnty talked freely to her father
of her life with Shaunty, and of his abuse,
but did not dwell long on the shooting.
Her demeanOr, said her father, was one
of great grief and sorrow, and she ap-
peared to be DESTROYS of avoiding mention
of 1t as much as possible.
Her imprisonment In the county jail mas
told heavily on Mrs. Shaunty, her father
says. She has lost considerable weight
and appears all worn out. When he last
saw her she appeared the picture OF
health. and il was a greatly changed girl
who chung to him in loving embrace IN
the county jail yesterday.
Laura Vandaveer left her homo IN Well
ington about six years ago, MI Nahda-
veer said, since which time she has paid
but one visit home. Practically All OF the
time. until she came to Salt Lake, she
lived at or near Springfield, HI Her
parents and relatives knew OF her mar
rage tc Shaunty, but had not the slight
est idea her life was one OF misery, al
though in several letters to married
sister Laura intimated her husband was
not all that could be desired.
Always Good Natured.
Laura was always a good-natured
Girl said Mr. VandaVeer. She was al
Ways pleasant, and we never knew OF
her getting into any kind OF trouble. Inc
news of her shooting her husband came
as a great shock to US. and as soon as
/ could arrange matters decided TO come
on at once, to try and cheer her up as
best / could"
Mr.. Vandaveer was until recently IN tne
employ of the Santa Fe railroad, with
which company he was connected iOf
twenty-two years. He has several sons
and sons-in-law in the railroad business
onlv retiring himself becauseof MS ad-
vanced age Mr.. Vandaveer expects 70
return to Salt Lake III April, when ms
daughter is placed on trial, If he can pos
sibIV arrange 1t; and it is probable her
mother will come along at that uIne-
In the meantime the sorroWlng paieht
will see that every possible aid Is lent
the unfortunate girl in her defense ana
while he declined 20 express IlmselL, MI.
Vandayeer let il be seen that ne hopes
for the acuuittal and exoneratlon OF ms
daughter when she is called before lhe
bar of Justice some time next mohth-