New-York tribune., 1911-10-31
'SHOT MAN TO SAVE HONOR
Mrs. McRee Tells Jury Why She
Killed Allan Garland.
DEEPER MOTIVE SUSPECTED
Woman on Trial for Murder OF
Young Neighbor Describes
the Tragedy in Court.

Opelousas. La, Oct. 30--In the little oio
rcd brjck courthouse Of st. Landry PARISH
crowded as 1t never has been before Mrs
Zoe Runge McRee, member OF one oi ''
oldest families in the state, faced her ac'
cusers to-day and told why she killed AiiaH
Garland, member OF family equally d.
prominent as lrer own. =,
She said she shot ito protect her hono''
but her only explanation OF why eacn pu'-
LET took effect in the young Tulane SUI
dents back was that she was go excited
she did not know whether Garland turheu
70 flee as she shot. showing effects or the
strain of the seven days OF trial ana eN
cited. she said she got her pistol wheh
Garland insulted her and fired when ne
advanced on her saying, you cannon
scare ne"
Her testimony was finished after SIX
hours on the stand
Mrs. McRce denied absolutely any undue
friendship between herself ard Garland
and explained the circumstances uhder
which he spent three or four nights at hev
home.
She admitted that Garland and herself
were together often, adding that her cnii-
drcn were always with them.
She was asked IL she thought that Gar
land intended TO attack her In her nome
at 10 o'clock in the morning, with all the
doors open and with her children ana
two servants I'm the yard Mrs Mckee
replied that she did not know what Gar
land might do, as he had said he was ~.
afraid OF her and was advancing toward
her.
.Did YOU think he was going to hurt you
then and there?"
Yes, sir. a man who makes such %
rosal TO a woman-I do not know "ha' &c
would do to a woman. .
Now. you are positive that was why you
shot him.
"shot to Defend Her Honor"
Yes sir. TO defend my honor. shot
,iu, 60 defend nv honor" she said en-
phatically. ,d
why did Allan come to your nome ""'
spend three nights
His uncle was visiting the Garlahu9'
and Allan had had some trouble with
I Young lady. and he ordered Allan out OF
IN. house Allan asked me If l wouldh
| let him come 10 my iiO"SN 49,
the next few nights. / didn want " w
ANYTHING that would cause friction De'
tveen the two families, so | went 10 MIS-
| Garland and asked her whether there
would be any objection TO Allan staying
tbera until his uncle went home Sht
said no. and that was why Ailah sIaye'
at my house
When Mrs. McRee was excused ste
walked triunphantly from the little plat
form which serves as a witness stand
half dozen character witnesses were
called. all testifying that Mrs Mckee bore
good reputation.
During her examination Mrs Mckee Nd'
sked to tell in detail what happened Sh'
| testified
Il heard some one come into the mouse
and IT was this young man, Allan Garland
| About that time two men drove up 10 TN
gate and asked If McRee was at nome.
replIed that he was in town, ana they uroN
away. | then came in and sat down, an
Allan said: is your husband soihB eJ,oG 10 "a
and he said: II he is not l want 70 COM COM
over and stay with YOU saiu, 5l1V
49, Won sneak to me like that" and N
auswered. 'Because | believe you are n.
| enod / said i will Kill you If you spear
! IiI;e that TO me- and l went TO Wnere IN
| pistol was and got It, He SAID, you can can
| rot scare me- and came toward me- an
| sfot him" .,.oa ,,.n,, s,,
The question was again asked why sh
! sbot Garland, her reply being that she sho
| him because he had insulted her' anu U
"dofend her honor.