The Detroit times., 1912-05-09
FRANK ASHLEY, SLAYER
OF MAGEE, is PAROLED
Continued from page one).

of years. He was 3S years old when
he started his term. being now 81.
Political pull Is said TO nave
brought about Ashley's parole. and Ar
thur L. Holmes, friend Of the Ashleys
is credited with being at the head
of the movement. An effort was made.
some years ago, to have the late Gov.
Pingree pardon Ashley. and he was
about TO grant the petition when At
torney Edwin Henderson, then a mem
Der OF the police commission, and
Allan II. Fraser, prosecutor OF Ashley,
protested. with the result that the
effort OF Ashley's friends failed.
Ex-Governor Warner also refused TO
grant Ashley a parole.
Nothing daunted. the same influ-
ences have been steadily at work
ever since Ex-Judge Chaplin has been
repeatedly asked TO recommend the
release Of Ashley. the last time he
says, only six months ago, by Mr..
Holmes. On each occasion he refused
the request. He says he has never
been requested for advice by the
board OF pardons in connection with
the Ashley case, and that II Is Gus
tomary for the trial Judge to be com
municated with under such cfrcufn
stances.
The killing OF Magee took place on
the night OF July Z. 1896. Towards
midnight. Ashley went to the home OF
Magee, No. 593 Grand Riyer-av. Mrs
Magee, mother of James, answered
the door bell. Ashley asked If Jim
ME" were IN. She called him from his
bedroom and he came to the door In
his night robe. Ashley, without the
slightest warning. leveled a revolver
at Magee's breast and fired. The
wound was almost Immediately fatal
Magee dying before the doctor arrived
Ashley fed on firing the shot and
was found, the next morning, hiding
in the barn OF John Bennett. Mag
nolia-st. Ashley offered Bennett $10C
to drive him in the bottom OF a wagon
beyond the city limits. Bennett re
fused and notified the police, with the
result that Ashley was arrested by OH
GERS Havavan, Gill and Gault.
Ashley had two trials. the jury dis
agreeing in the first one. Ashley
friends presented an alibi, witnesses
swearing that he was out for a car
rage ride the night OF the tragedy
i It lhC TIC SCNOhN
trial, four of the alibi witnesses In
the first trial were arrested on q
charge Of perjury. One confessed
and the others were convicted, al
getting a term OF five years in prison
Since the tragedy, Alex, Ashley
brother OF Frank, was killed by Johr
Holt in barroom fight; another broth
er also died. Charles, also brother
now runs a saloon in Detroit. The
father OF the Ashleys died two years
ago. The mother SO years old, Is still
alive. She Is overjoyed at the news oil
her sons proposed release, saying 1t Il
| too good to be true.
| The Magee family has also beer
somewhat broken up. Tom" Maget
committed suicide, and another broth
er was killed. BILLY" Magee, alder
man for a number OF years. and later
connected with the board of public
works for a time. Is now in Chicago
employed by the Hammond Beef Co.
| For years there was bad feeling
between the Magee and Ashley boys
The Magees were Republicans and the
Ashleys Democrats at that time. ant
many bitter quarrels OF a political ma
ture occurred between them. Finally
James Magee gave Frank Ashley s
beating. and Ashley is said to have
Threatened to get" Magee for 1t.