Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-22
FISHER STICKS To STORY
UNDER FIERCE CHILLING
Of LAWYER AND POLICE

noon or while he and Shirley, accord
ing to his story, were driving across
Peachtree street and down Decatur
street and then to the Union Station.
He said that ne noticed no crowd
on the streets at all other than would
naturally be on any Saturday after
noon. The progress OF his wagon
never was stopped at any time he
was driving from one place to an
other 1t is claimed that this alone
brands his story as ridiculous, as there
were large crowds on the street.
Still another discrepancy which the
police say is in his story is that he
first sais that he met G. w. Burke,
agent for Attorney Luther Rosser, on
Friday night in Birmingham. Before
the detectives he declared that the
first time he saw Burke was last Sat
urday night when Burke met him on
the street and brought hftn to At
lanta. Burke also Is declares to have
said that he met Fisher first on FRI
day night
Burke Did Taking.
Fisher was questioned very close
ly about who had talked to him in
Luther Rosser's office. He said that
Rosser and Reuben Arnold had not
talked to him at all, but that Burke
had done most OF the eXamina ton.
They told me up there that ! would
have a hard time down here if the
detectives got hold of me- he naively
told Langford.
Fisher gave all of his replies in
calm, almost DISTINGUISHED voice
When he charged Shirley with Poing
TO the pencil factory to meet Mary
phagan he jered his thumb careless
~ toward Shirley who sat the other
side Of table.
You did it; you now you did it," he
said TO Shirley.
You lie, you skunk; you know d
well you lie!" retorted Shirley, and
he started from his chair in q menac-
ing manner. Detectives grabbed Shi--
ley and averted fight
This dramatic scene was enacted
when Shirley was brought to head
quarters to face HE accuser. Quiet
was restored and Fisher was ordered
to tell his story In the furniture
mans presence.
THE Saturday of the murder Shir-
ley and ] drove down to Broad and
Marietta streets in his wagon. We
had delivered a bureau to a Mrs.
Holloway on Bellwood avenue. We
stopped near the corner and Shirley
said he wanted me to hold the horse
while he went to the pencil factory,
where he had a date. he said, with
Hattie the pet name for Mary Pha-
gan" Fisher paused and Shirley WAS
on his feet in an instant
Called "Liar and Bum
You're a measly liar and I'll prove
II, you drunken bum" shouted Shir-
ley. his eyes lighting up with a dan
gerous fire. "Why don't you tell the
4yr,t4 1,rt,. II. al l., Q
mad with rage, was almost dragged
into his chair by Charley Graham, his
attorney.
Fisher was told to continue
Il waited about an hour and a half
for Shirley" started the man. again,
his eyes roaming about the room, as
though in search for a place he could
look where no eyes would catch his
gaze. He got back between 2:30 and
3 o'clock.
I've played hell in general, he
said to me. Then he said had bet
ter get out OF town"
Fisher again paused, and looking
Shirley straight in the eyes for the
first time, said;
That's straight MIR Shirley. and
If you'll tell the truth you'll admit
Once more Shirley arose in
threatening attitude. but took his seat
again.
Il didn't want TO get out of town
and told Shirley so, but he threatened
me and said | would have to get out,
We drove to the Unon Depot and he
purchased me a ticket for F,llijay. He
gave me $25. He went in the car
with me and left me. If | hadn't have
been afraid of him ! wouldn't have
some away | stayed in Elliiay two
weeks, then came back to Atlanta.
i stayed here two weeks and then
went to Copperhill Tenn, because
Shirley wanted me to and because he
threatened me. You know you
threatened me, Shirley-you know
YOU did" and the strange man shook
his head in a logged manner
Shirley sent me some letters with
money in them. Two he sent con-
tanned SIS each. Another one con-
tained S.
I've told the truth and it'll all como
out sooner or later" declared Fisher
with the air Of q philosopher
Efforts to shake the mans story
We're without results. He would an
swer most any question In an uncon-
Cerned way and refused to be tangled
up by the questions put to him by
Graham. the chief and by reporters.
you are telling most wondrous
tale" said Graham, but YOU had BET
ter tell the truth before you get sent
to jail for criminal libel"
Denies Using Drugs,
II know what libel is" retorted
Fisher, and YOU can't send a man to
prison for telling the truth"
What kind of dope do YOU use,
morphine or cocaine?" someone Shot"
AT him.
None" said Fisher
"You look like you did" said one Of
the detectives.
That's because l need n drink-got
ONE" he replied,
And undoubtedly he did need one.
He had been given all the whisky ne
wanted while in the hands OF the az
torneys, and was reluctant to leave
such a nice abode His face needed
hours work by a barber and a bath
would not have harmed him.