The Pattonsburg Call Fri. Sep 22 1911 page 6

In our report of the murder near Melbourne, our informant got the name wrong. It was Mrs. Ed. Shirley instead of Ed. Stewart. A man named "Bump" Davidson has been placed under arrest, charged with the crime.

The St. Joseph Observer St. Joseph, Missouri · Saturday, December 02, 1911

Rewards amounting to $1600 have been by the state, Harrison County, and individuals for the arrest of the murderers of Mrs. Ed Shirley, near Gilman City, Harrison County, September 17th. There have been a numbe of arrests but each suspect has been able to clear himself from suspicion.

Old Reliable is Reliable

Bethany Republican-Clipper Thu, Oct 05, 1911 ·Page 1

The Post Master at Brimson, Mo., in ordering extra copies of The Republican containing the report of the murder of Mrs. Ed Shirley, says : "Please send me a few copies of the Republican containing account of the murder of Mrs. Ed Shirley as it is the only paper we have seen with a correct statement of the awful crime, and we want to send it to our daughter, who lives in California, as she was well acquainted with the murdered woman." "P.S. enclosed pay cash to pay for same."

$1,600.00 REWARD

Bethany Clipper Bethany Mo Fri Nov 24 1911 page 1

For the arrest and conviction of the murderer or murderers of Mrs. Ed. Shirley, September 17, 1911, at Fox Creek township, Harrison County, Missouri.

Proclamation

State of Missouri, Executive Department, ss.

Whereas, on the 17th day of September, 1911, in the county of Harrison, state of Missouri, Mrs. Ed. Shirley was murdered by some unknown party, who afterward fled from justice and is now a fugitive and cannot be arrested by ordinary process of law;

Now, therefore, by virtue of authority vested in me by law, I hereby offer a reward of two hundred ($200.00) dolalrs for the arrest and delivery of said unknown party, to the sheriff of said county of Harrison, at the jail thereof, and for his conviction of the crime aforesaid. This reward to stand good for one year from the date hereof.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of Missouri. Done at the City of Jefferson, this third day of Octover, A.D., Nineteen Hundred and Eleven. By the Governor:

HERBERT S. HADLEY.

CORNELIUS ROACH, Secretary of State.

In addition to the above reward of $200.00 by the Governor, the county court of Harrison county offers a reward of $400.00 and the citizens of Harrison county offer a reward of $1,000.00, making a total reward of $1,600.00.

JAMES B. MANIFOLD,

Sheriff of Harrison County, Mo,

Bethany, Mo.

FALL ON ICE FATAL TO 10 YEAR OLD BOY LAST WEEK

The Post-Telegraph Princeton Mo Wed Jan 27 1937 page 6

Emory Shirley, 10 year of son of Mr. and Mrs. Ermond Shirley, whose home is in the Cat Creek neighborhood, 10 miles northeast of Gilman City, died Sunday at a hospital as a result of a fall on the ice. The lad was injured by slipping and falling heavily on the ice early last week. At the time there was no thought that the accident might prove serious. He received a second fall Sunday when he was thrown from a sled. The second fall aggravated the condition caused by the first, which was received while running and sliding on his shoe soles, his head coming in contact with the ice with such force as to render him nearly unconscious.

When he fell from the sled he returned home, saying to his parents that he "felt sick." A doctor was summoned from Gilman, but the condition of the roads delayed his arrival until late at night. The boy grew worse and it was decided to take him to Trenton, where he passed away that night. -Ridgeway Journal.

HANN BRIDGE

Bethany Republican-Clipper Bethany Mo Wed May 26 1937 page 6

The Thimble club met with Mrs. Ed. Shirley Tuesday. Twenty-two were present.

Springer Chapel News Items

Bethany Republican-Clipper Bethany Mo. Thu Sep 26 1907 page 7

Springer Chapel, Sept. 24 - Ed. Shirley attended a sale north of Mt. Moriah Saturday.

George Shepherd and family, William Shirley and wife, Ed. Shirley and family and W.O. Stevens spent Sunday at the John Utterback home.

Bethany Republican-Clipper Bethany Mo. Wed Jan 27 1937 page 7

Melbourne was most greatly shocked last Monday morning on receiving word that little Emery Shirley, son of Mrms. Ed Shirley had passed away Sunday night. His death was caused by a fall on the ice. Little Emery was a most lovable child. He had often visited relatives and friends here and will be greatly missed.

Miss Blanche Shirley who has spent the last few months in Colorado, came home Tuesday to attend the funeral of her little brother, Emery Shirley.

DROPS DEAD IN FIELD

Harrison County Times Bethany Mo. Thu June 24 1937 page 1

J.E. (Ed) Shirley, Near Melbourne, Died Suddenly of Brain Hemorrhage Last Monday

J.E. (Ed) Shirley, 64, farmer in Fox Creek township, fell dead Monday afternoon as he plowed corn in a field near his home, seven miles north of Melbourne. His death was caused by a cerebral hemorrhage.

He was plowing in the field, a few rows from the road and apparently died suddenly. No one saw him fall. About 6:30 Jack Little, a neighbor, was walking on the road and discovered the body. He told the family and Coroner Joe E. Wheeler at Bethany was notified.

Wheeler drove immediately to the home and examined the body, left lying in the field, a half-mile from the house. He set the time of death at about 5:00 o'clock.

Shirley had been under the care of a physician for two years, his wife said, but lately had been feeling better. He ate a large dinner Monday noon. He is survived by his widow and by several step-children and children by a former marriage.

Services were held yesterday afternoon at the Cat Creek church and burial in the Cat Creek cemetery.

A son, Emery, died from a brain concussion last winter resulting from an accident while sliding.

NEWS FROM SPRINGER CHAPEL

Bethany Republican-Clipper Bethany Mo. Thu April 11 1907 page 7

April 10- Ed. Shirley was a Gilman City visitor Saturday.

Mrs. Ed. Shirley and children spent Saturday with her sister, Mrs. George Shepherd.

The Jamesport Gazette Jamesport MO Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

-On last Sunday morning Ed Shirley, residing seven miles North of Melbourne, went with his two young sons to a relative's, leaving Mrs. Shirley and a two and a half years old daughter at home. About two o'clock the husband and sons returned. They found the outside doors locked and every window fastened excepting one. One of the boys climbed through this window and unlocked a door. Upstairs is a chamber where Mrs. Shirley had evidently gone for a nap. The door of this room was locked. When it was forced open, there were evidence of a fierce struggle, and on the bed was the body of Mrs. Shirley with her neck broken. Save for some blue marks on her wrist where her assailant had grasped her, there were no other signs on her person of the struggle. Spots of blood on Mrs. Shirley's clothing and on the window out which the murderer had climbed showed that the murderer did not escape uninjured. The little daughter, too small to understand the tragedy, said, "Big fat man come and fight mamma and mamma fight him." It is believed that the guilty person resides in the neighborhood. No arrests have been made. Mrs. Shirley was about thirty years of age and of irreproachable character.

Melbourne News

Bethany Republican-Clipper Wed Jan 16 1935 page 3

Miss Blanch Shirley visited in the Clay Shirley home a part of last week.

FATAL ACCIDENT

Harrison County Times Bethany Missouri Thu Jan 21 1937 page 4

Emery Edmond Shirley Died Sunday of Head Injuries Received While Coasting on Sled.

Emery Edmond Shirley, nine-year-old son of Mrms. Ed. Shirley of nine miles south of Mt. Moriah, died at 12 o'clock Sunday night from injuries sustained while coasting on the slick ice and was ill Saturday but was up again Sunday. He fell again Sunday evening while sliding over ice on his shoes, thought it is not believed this fall was the cause of his death. He became very ill soon afterwards and died a few hours later.

Physicians believe a blood clot had formed on the boys's brain, after the sledding accident. This would not cause death until the clot became large enough to press heavily on the brain and stop circulation of the blood.

Funeral services for the lad and burial were held yesterday afternoon at the Cat Creek community church and cemetery near the Shirley home.

Jasper Edmond Shirley

Harrison County Times Bethany Mo Thu June 23 1938 page 4

In remembrance of Jasper Edmond Shirley, who passed away one year ago, June 21, 1937.

O, here we wait alone all day And wish for you to call;

O, how I long to see your face, When evening shadows fall.

You will never be forgotten Though on earth you live no more;

For in memory you are with us As you always were before.

You bade no one a last farewell, You said goodbye to none.

Your dear old heart had ceased to beat Before we knew you were gone.

Your cheerful smile and kindly ways, We pleasantly recall.

You had kind words for everyone, And died, yet, loved by all.

Sadly missed by wife Mrs. J.E. Shirley and children.

The Mystery Not Solved

The Ridgeway Journal Ridgeway Mo Thu Nov 2 1911 page 1

The mystery of the supposed brutal murder of Mrs. J.E. Shirley near Melbourne, Sunday, September 17th, is still in the dark as much as ever. The grand jury at the recent session went into the mystery thoroughly, but failed to find any evidence justifying the indictment of any person for her death. Many witnesses were examined and every possible effort made to discover the supposed perpetrator of the crime but without success. Several hundred dollars was offered by the court and by interested parties for any enlightenment that would lead to the arrest of any guilty party, if such there were, but everything that the law could do has been done and everything pertaining to the solving of the mystery is as much in the dark as ever.

$400 REWARD OFFERED.

Bethany Republican-Clipper Bethany Mo. Thu Sep 28 1911 page 1

The County Court in special session Monday morning, made an order offering a reward of $400 for the apprehension and conviction of the murderer of Mrs. Amanda Shirley, who was murdered in her home in Fox Creek township Sunday, Sept 17, 1911.

POSTS $400 REWARD

The Post-Telegraph Princeton Mo Wed Oct 4 1911 page 1

Harrison County Court Offers Big Sum for Arrest and Conviction of Unknown Slayer of Mrs. Edward Shirley.

The judges of the county court of Harrison county in special session on Monday of last week made an order of record offering a reward of $400 for the arrest and conviction of the slayer of Mrs. Amanda Shirley, who was murdered at her home in Fox Creek township in that county, Sunday, September 17th.

It is believed that in a few days Governor Hadley will post an additional reward of $300 on the part of the state and tere is growing talk that a popular subscription paper calculated to raise a still larger sum is to be circulated among the citizens of the county.

Wanamaker Calls Special Grand Jury

Judge Geo. W. Wanamaker, while spending a few days at his home between court dates at Princeton and Trenton, made an order while in Bethany convening of a special grand jury to investigate the murder of Mrs. Shirley. Thus far there is no clue to the murder mystery and no one has been officially charged with the crime.

NO INDICTMENTS FOR THE SHIRLEY MURDER

The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune Chillicothe Mo Mon Oct 30 1911 page 3

Trenton Times

The special grand jury empanelled by Judge Wanamaker two weeks ago to investigate the murder of Mrs. Amanda Shirley was discharged by the court at Bethany last Saturday. The Harrison county inquisitors returned thirteen true bills, a majority of these indictments being against defendants charged with violating the local option law. They failed to find any evidence warranting the return of an indictment against any person for the murder of Mrs. Shirley. The searching investigation made by the grand jury and the fruitless results of the examination of a long line of witnesses strengthened the belief that this crime is to remain shrouded in mystery and the slayer go unpunished.

Has Suspicion as to Slayer?

The Post-Telegraph Princeton Mo. Wed Oct 11 1911 page 4

The Telegraph editor has not been permitted to read the evidence introduced before the coroner's jury which investigated the death of Mrs. Amanda Shirley, near Mt. Moriah on Sunday afternoon, September 18th-consequently we have no suspicion as to the identity of the slayer. That the editor of the Bethany Democrat has some suspicion of the murder is evidenced by the following rather remarkable editorial appearing in the Democrat last Thursday.

What is circumstantial evidence? We confess, here in Harrison county that it does not consist in filling the description of a little girl in being "big and fat", in being found in close proximity, according to personal confession, on the eve of the murder; starting home with a team and wife and getting out and coming back by winding and circuitous route close by the assaulted home, in going to assist in digging a dead woman's grave and getting "sick" at the task and starting away (some alleged, as the talk drifted on the possibility of getting bloodhounds, of starting to meet a train and aimlessly wandering and blundering around and missing it; of a reputed difficulty between a murdered woman and the suspected criminal's wife; of a vague, indefinite story about an agreement to return and cut corn in the vicinity of the crime; about being ten miles away from home and alone about the time of the murder; of any of the attendant and suspicious indications of a rather mysterious trip.

Will some one please write down on a piece of paper and mail to this office a description of "circumstantial evidence", accompanied by a map and chart, with the thing marked, so we can see what it is like. We want to save it and keep it for future use, in case some other home may be invaded and some other brave woman compelled to pay the sacrafice of her life as the high tribute of protecting honor and home.

Two Arrests Made In Murder Case

The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune Sat, Sep 23, 1911 ·Page 2

"Buck" Davidson and Hubert Whitt of Melbourne Charged With Assaulting and Killing Mrs. Ed. Shirley at her home on a farm north of Melbourne Sunday afternoon, says The Trenton Times. The men were taken to Bethany to jail Wednesday afternoon and it is said Davidson has confessed to the crime of assaulting and murdering the woman. It is reported three more men are suspected of being implicated in the crime and their arrest is expected soon.

The two men arrested are both residents of the locality where the murder was committed. Whitt is a young man about 21 years of age and a cousin of Mrs. Shirley, and made his home there when not employed as a farm hand. Davidson has a wife and several children and it is said does not bear a good reputation.

Both men were seen in the neighborhood of the Shirley farm Sunday afternoon. Davidson was seen at the Metcalf School near by and said he was going to cut corn and was seen going toward the Shirley home.

Mrs. Shirley was murdered during the absence of her husband and three little sons. The youngest child a three year old girl was at home and says her mother fought a man and a man fought her. Mrs. Shirley was a fairly large, strong woman and made a desperate struggle. Blood stains are all over the upstairs bedroom where her body was found by her husband and a physician says the blood is not that of the murdered woman, showing that her assailant did not escape without some injury. Hubert Whitt one of the men arrested is a small built fellow and Davidson is an average size man.

The whole country about Melbourne is excited about the tragedy. Bloodhounds were sent for Tuesday but by that time it was too late for them to get a trail and the owner of the dogs refused to take them to the scene of the crime.

LITTLE GIRL SAW MOTHER KILLED

The Kansas City Post Kansas City Mo. Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

Harrison County, Mo., Woman Brutally Murdered-Farmer Under Suspicion.

BROKE VICTIM'S NECK

2-Year-Old Daughter Found Sitting Beside Body by Father.

Princeton, Mo. Sep 22 - (Special) - A little child, the 2-year-old daughter of Jasper Edward Shirley, a young farmer living nine miles south of Mt. Moriah in Harrison county, witnessed the murder of her mother Sunday. The husband returning home that evening from a visit to a neighbor's home found his wife lying dead on the floor in an upstairs room with her neck broken, and the daughter sitting beside the body. There was evidence of a horrible struggle.

Bunk Davidson, a farmer about 35 years old, is being kept under surveiliance by the authorities. No formal charge has been preferred against him. The community is greatly aroused over the crime.

"A big fat man came adnslapped mamma; mamma slapped him and he took her up stairs. Mamma is alseep, now." This is all the little girl could tell her father of this brutal crime.

An aunt of Shirley had visited their home Sunday morning and he took her to a neighbor's house to spend the day. His three sons accompanied him, Mrs. Shirley and the little girl being left alone.

Returning home about 5 o'clock, some three or four hours later, he found the house locked. He pried open a door and found the house in a state of confusion. Furniture was broken up and other things scattered over the floor. He spread the alarm.

Mrs. Shirley was apparently handled by a fiend. Her neck was broken, her wrists discolored and her body badly bruised. Her clothes had almost been torn from her body. Every window and door in the house was locked by the slayer.

The murderer was evidently injured in the fight for several blood spots were found in the house. Several stains were found on the window casing.

Blood hounds were unable to follow the murderer's trail.

A coroner's inquest failed to develop anything of importance. Mrs. Shirley was 27 years old.

Trenton Murder Suspect Released

Kearney Clipper Kearney Mo. Fri Oct 6 1911 page 2

Bunk Davidson, who was being held in connection with the murder of Mrs. Ed. Shirley at Trenton, was released, as sufficient evidence could not be found against him. The only clew is the story of a two-year-old daughter, who said it was 'a big fat man'.

ONE HELD FOR TRENTON MURDER

The Kansas City Times Kansas City Mo Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

A Farmer Was Arrested in Connectin With the Death of Mrs. Shirley

Trenton, Mo., Sept 21- Bunk Davidson, a farmer about 35 years old, is being held by Harrison County authorities near Melbourne in connection with the murder of Mrs. Edward Shirley of the same neighborhood. No formal charges have been preferred against Davidson. He is married and has two children.

Mrs. Shirley was murdered Sunday in her own home after having been attacked. When her husband and little son returned from a day's trip they found the doors locked. A 2-year-old daughter, who had remained with the mother, was in the house unhurt. The little girl told them that a "big fat man had fought with mamma and that mamma is asleep now. (very faded and blurry.)

Blood hounds were brought to the scene, but they accomplished nothing.

look these up for yourself on newspapers.com. (I am bad about typos. double check my work.)

found articles in :

The Belleville News-Democrat Belleview, Illinois Fri Sept 22 1911 page 6

The Columbia Daily Times Columbia Mo. Tue Sept 19 1911 page 5

St. Louis Gloze-Democrat St Louis, Mo. Fri Sep 22 1911 page 4

Springfield Leader and Press Springfield Mo. Fri Sep 22 1911 page 7

The Clay Center Dispatch Clay Center Ks. Mon Sep 25 1911 page 4

Oxford Eagle Oxford Mississippi Thu Sep 28 1911 page 1

The Pleasant Hill Register Pleasant Hill Mo. Fri Sep 29 1911 page 7

Parsons Daily Eclipse Parsons Ks. Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

JG-TC: Journal Gazette and Times-Courier Mattoon, Illinois Fri Sep 22 1911 page 8

The Fort Scott Republican Fort Scott Ks. Sat Sep 23 1911 page 3

Henry County Democrat Clinton Mo. Thu Sep 28 1911 page 7

The Evening Review Garnett Ks. Fri Sep 22 1911 page 2

Abilene Daily Reflector Abeline Ks. Fri Sep 22 1911 page 2

The Fort Scott Daily Tribune and Fort Scott Daily Monitor Fort Scott Ks. Fri Sep 22 1911 page 7

The Princeton Post Princeton Mo. Thu Sep 28 1911 page 1

The Platt County Gazette Parkville Mo. Thu Nov 16 1911 page 3

Independent-Journal Potosi Mo. Thu Oct 5 1911 page 1

The Hamilton Advocate-Hamiltonian Hamilton Mo. Thu Oct 5 1911 page 6, Thu Sep 28 1911 page 6

The Jamesport Gazette Jamesport Mo. Fri Oct 6 1911 page 2

The Concordian Concordia Mo. Thu Oct 5 1911 page 7

The Clarksville Sentinel Clarksville Mo. Wed Oct 4 1911 page 7

Tri-County News King City Mo. Thu Oct 5 1911 page 7

Ste. Genevieve Herald Sainte Genevieve Mo. Sat Oct 7 1911 page 2

Knob Noster Gem Knob Noster Mo. Fri Oct 6 1911 page 2

The Holden Progress Holden Mo. Thu Oct 5 1911 page 3

Callaway County Journal Fulton Mo Fri Oct 6 1911 page 9

The Republic Monitor Republic Mo Thu Oct 5 1911 page 3

The Amsterdam Enterprise Amsterdam Mo Thu Oct 5 1911 page 3

The Butler Times-Press Butler Mo Sat Sep 30 1911 page 1

Adrain Journal Adrain Mo Thu Oct 5 1911 page 6

Kearney Clipper Kearney Mo Fri Oct 6 1911 page 2

The Kansas City Post Kansas City Mo Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

The Kansas City Times Kansas City Mo Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

St. Louis Globe-Democrat St Louis Mo Fri Sep 22 1911 page 4

The Boonville Daily News Boonville Mo Thu Sep 28 1911 page 5

Bethany Clipper Bethany Mo Fri Sep 29 1911 page 1

The Princeton Post-Telegraph Princeton Mo Wed Sep 28 1911 page 3

The Gallatin Democrat Gallatin Mo Thu Sep 21 1911 page 1

Harrison County Times Bethany Mo Thu Sep 24 1911

Carthage Evening Press Carthage Mo Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

The Post Princeton Mo Thu Sep 28 1911 page 3

Meramec Valley Transcript Pacific Mo. Fri Oct 6 1911 page 7

Buffalo Reflex Buffalo Mo. Thu Oct 5 1911 page 2

The Slater News Slater Mo Oct 12 1911 page 7

The Blackburn Record Blackburn Mo Oct 13 1911 page 2

Parnell Sentinel Parnell Mo Oct 7 1911 page 2

The Elmo Register Oct 6 1911 page 3 Elmo,Mo.

The Bucklin Herald Bucklin Ks Oct 6 1911 page 5

The Leader Craig Mo Sep 29 1911 page 3

Adrian Journal Adrian Mo Thu Oct 5 1911 page 6

The Independent Journal Potosi Mo ThuOct 5 1911 page 1

Clay Center Dispatch Clay Center Ks. Mon Sep 25 1911 page 4

The Gallatin Democrat Gallatin Mo Thu Sep 21 1911 page 1

Harrison County Times and Gilman City Guide Bethany Mo. Fri Sep 22 1911

The Cainsville News Cainsville Mo. Thu Nov 23 1911 page 1

Bethany Republican Bethany Mo Sep 21 1911

Shirley Murder Still A Mystery

The Kansas City Post Sat, Sep 23, 1911 ·Page 10

Authorities Unable to Find Trace of Slayer - Farmer is Released.

Princeton, Mo., Sept. 23 - (Special) - Although the authorities are working out every possible clue, the brutal murder of Mrs. Jasper E. Shirley at her home, nine miles south of Mt. Moriah, Sunday afternoon, remains shrouded in mystery. Her 2-year-old daughter witnessed the crime and was found sitting beside the body in an upstairs bedroom by the husband and father.

She repeats it every time she is questioned. The babe can barely talk, but she adds "Mamma is sleep now."

"Bunk" Davidson, a neighbor farmer and cousin by marriage of Mrs. Shirley, who was held under surveiliance, has been released. The murderer of Mrs. Shirley must have been a powerful man, for her death was caused by a broken neck, Mrs. Shirley herself a strong woman, gave him a terrific battle, as was evidenced by the disarrangement of furniture in the house.

Bloodhounds from Beatrice, Nebraska were brought here but could not pick up the trail.

The authorities believe the slayer will bear marks of the struggle, for blood was found on the carpet in one room and on the window sill. There were no cuts on Mrs. Shirley's body.

Held For Trenton Murder

Daily Star-Journal Fri, Sep 22, 1911 ·Page 3

and in The Clinton Daily Democrat Fri, Sep 22, 1911 ·Page 3

Trenton, Mo. Sept. 22 - Bunk Davidson, a farmer about 35 years old, is being held by Harrison county authorities for the murder of Mrs. Edward Shirley of the same neighborhood. No formal charges have been preferred against Davidson. He is married and has two children.

Bunk Davidson, a farmer about 25 years old

The Boonville Daily News Thu, Sep 28, 1911 ·Page 5

is being held by Harrison county authorities near Melbourne in connection with the murder of Mrs. Edward Shirley of the same neighborhood. No formal charges have been preferred against Davidson. He is being guarded at him home. He is married and has two children. Mrs. Shirley was murdered Sunday in her own home after having been attacked. When her husband and little son returned from a day's trip they found the door locked. A 2-year-old daughter, who had remained with the mother, was in the house unhurt. The little girl told them that a "big fat man had with mamma and mamma was asleep now."

Murder Mystery is Unsolved.

Parsons Daily Eclipse Fri, Sep 22, 1911 ·Page 1

NOT FORMALLY CHARGED WITH THE CRIME.

Cousin of Dead Woman Guarded in His Home on Slim Clew of Being a "big Fat Man."

Trenton, Mo., Sept 22 - "Bunk" Davidson, a young married man of the Melbourne neighborhood, is being guarded in his home pending investigation in connection with the murder of Mrs. Ed. Shirley there last Sunday.

Davidson is a cousin by marriage of the murdered woman and has two children. He has not been formally charged with the crime, Davidson is a fat man, which fact alone coincides with the story of the 2-year-old daughter who witnessed the crime, but could not comprehend its meaning.

Mrs. Shirley was alone with the little daughter Sunday, her husband and little son having gone away for the day. When they returned they found the house locked and were obliged to break in. The door to Mrs. Shirley's chamber also was locked. On her bed lay the murdered woman, her neck broken as if by a twist, and bruises on her wrist evidenlty received in a struggle.

There was blood in the room and on the window whence her assailant had evidently fled, but no blood had been drawn from the victim.

The baby daughter said "a big fat man slapped mamma and mamma slapped him."

The little one was not frightened. Mrs. Shirley had been assaulted. Bloodhounds from Nebraska arrived here but the trail was cold. The Shirleys are highly respectable country people living in Harrison county near the Grundy county line.

Farmer Held As Suspect

The Belleville News-Democrat Fri, Sep 22, 1911 ·Page 6

also in The Brazil Times Fri, Sep 22, 1911 ·Page 4

also in JG-TC: Journal Gazette and Times-Courier Fri, Sep 22, 1911 ·Page 8

HARRISON COUNTY, MO., STIRRED BY FOUL CRIME Woman is Murdered by an Unknown Assailant in Presence of Two-Year-Old Daughter. Trenton, Mo., Sept. 22 - Bunk Davidson, a young married farmer, about 35 years old, and father of two children, is being held by the Harrison county authorities near Melbourne, in connection with the killing of Mrs. Ed. Shirley, of the same neighborhood. No formal charges have been preferred against Davidson, but he is being guarded at his home.

The holding of Davidson addds new fire to the already heated sentiment in the Brimson neighborhood, the outcome of one of the most brutual crimes ever known in this section of Missouri. Mrs. Shirley was murdered Sunday by an unknown assailant, who broke her neck. When her husband and little son returned home from a day's trip they found the doors locked. A 2-year-old daughter, who had remained with the mother, was inside, unhurt. The assailant had evidently escaped by a window. Mrs. Shirley's body bore no marks save bruises on her wrists, but on the window was blood, showing that her antagonist had probably not escaped unscratched.

The little girl told those who arrived later that "a big fat man" had "fought with mamma" and that "mamma was asleep now." An effort was made to get bloodhounds to the scene, but they were late in arriving and accomplished nothing.

Held for Trenton Murder

The Clay Center Dispatch Mon, Sep 25, 1911 ·Page 4

Trenton, Mo. Sept. 23 - Bund Davidson, a farmer about 35 years old, is being held by Harrison county authorities for the murder of Mrs. Edward Shirley of the same neighborhood. No formal charges have been preferred against Davidson. He is married and has two children.

Farmer Held As Suspect

Oxford Eagle Thu, Sep 28, 1911 ·Page 1

AND Scott County Kicker Sat, Sep 30, 1911 ·Page 2

Trenton, Mo. - Bunk Davidson, a young married farmer, is being held by the Harrison county authorities near Melbourne, in the connection with the killing of Mrs. Ed. Shirley of the same neighborhood.

MURDER IN FOX CREEK

Bethany Clipper Friday September 22 1911

Mrs. Ed. Shirley Found Dead at Her Home With Neck Broken.

Last Sunday night Coroner Bonser was telephoned to come to the home of Ed. Shirley in Fox Creek township, that Mrs. Shirley had been found in an upper room of her home with her neck broken and with other evidences of violence on her body.

Coroner Bonser started for the Shirley home Sunday night, but a rain interfered with the trip and he came back to Bethany. Monday morning, in company with County Clerk Towns, Mr. Bonser went to the sceneof the tragedy and held an inquest.

Jasper E. Shirley, husband of the dead woman, Dr. E. Saylor, and Dr. J.A. Macgraw testified to the following facts:

Mr. Shirley says he is the husband of the woman over whose dead body this inquest is being held. I left home between 10 and 11 o'clock a.m., Sunday, Sept. 17, 1911 and did not return until between 4 and 5 o'clock, p.m. I drove up near the house and let the two boys out and then tied the team. The boys ran to the house and tried to open the two doors, but found them locked. They went to a window where a screen had born torn off, and I told one of the boys to climb in the window and unlock the door. When I got to the house the boys had gone up stairs and I started after them. When I got part of the way up the stairs the boys said mamma is asleep. My first thought was she had fainted. I took her by the hand and saw she was cold in death. I phoned for my father and went to the door and called to Tom Maxwell and family, who were on the hill south of the house, to come as quick as possible. We then telephoned for Dr. Saylor. When I first observed my wife's body she was lying on her back hands outward and backward, her dress about half above her knees. Our little girl, about three years old, was at home with her. The boys said when going up stairs, Blanche told us "Mamma is asleep."

DR. J.A. Macgraw says: In company with Dr. Saylor we passed up stairs to where the body of Mrs. Shirley was lying on the floor. We found her lying on her back, the shoulders turned some to the right, the head to the left, the face lying flat on the floor, her arms at right angles, the elbows flexed, extending above the head; the hands lying on the back and slightly flexed. The limbs were seperated with the right foot slightly bent inward. The floor was sprinkled with blood. We found no broken bones or open wounds , but her neck was broken. On the left limb below the knee were spots of blood. There was no part of the body the blood came from. The dress and skirt were above the knees and the underpart beneath the hips, with one large spot of blood on them near the bottom. Decomposition had set in when I first saw her, on the underside of the body, and around the wrists, but on no other part of the body. In my judgement the marks around the wrists had been caused by pressure. Her drawers were unfastened and lowered from and below waist. In my judgement the cause of death was a broken neck. There was no evidence of strangulation or self destruction.

Dr. Saylor's evidence was practically the same as Dr. Macgraw's testimony.

Verdict of Jury.

We, the undersigned jurors, impanneled and sworn, on the 18th day of September, 1911, at the township of Fox Creek, county of Harrison, state of Missouri, by A.C. Bonser, Coroner in and for said county, to dilligently inquire and true presentment make, how and by whom Amanda Lucille Shirley came to her death. Having viewed the body and heard the evidence, do find that the deceased came to her death , at Fox Creek township, Harrison county, Missouri, by a broken neck; received at the hands of some party or parties unknown to the jurors.

Given under our hands, this 18th day of September, 1911.

E.W. Davidson

Wm. Thomas

Jacob Little

B.S. Taylor

R.A. Bond

F.S. Springer

"Bump" Davidson, of Fox Creek township, has been charged with the awful crime. He was placed under arrest by H.H Eades, , deputy sheriff, Wednesday morning. Later Sheriff Manifold had him taken before F.S. Springer, justice of the peace and we have not heard what action has been taken.

$1000 REWARD FOR MURDERER

The Princeton Post, Princeton, MO Thu Oct 5 1911 page 1

Harrison County People Will Pay this Sum for the Arrest of Party Who Killed Mrs. J.E. Shirley.

While more than two weeks have passed since the murder of Mrs. Jasper E. Shirley, south of Mt. Moriah and no one has been arrested for the dreadful crime, the people of that vicinity and Harrison county are yet hopeful that the guilty party will be found. No clues have developed during the past week, and the affair is yet a deep mystery.

One thousand dollars have been offered for the apprehension and arrest of the guilty party or parties. The Harrison county court, last week, made a standing offer of $400. Another reward of $400 has been offered by the people of the neighborhood where the Shirleys reside. There is an additional $200 offered by parties in different parts of the county, making the total sum of one thousand dollars which will be given to any person who knows or can find out facts that will locate the guilty person.

A grand jury has been called for circuit court which convenes in Bethany, Monday, and they will be instructed to make inquiries into and ferrit out, if possible, the person who murdered Mrs. Shirley.

CHILD GIVES ONLY CLUE TO MURDER MYSTERY

The Princeton Post Princeton Mo. Thu Sep 28 1911 page 1

Harrison County Officals Have Little to Work on in Finding the Slayer of Mrs. Jasper E. Shirley. - Suspects Prove their Innocence and are Released. Bloodhounds fail to Pick up Trail.

____________________________

a special to The Post from the Bethany Clipper, just before going to press, states that Judge Wanamaker has called a grand jury for circuit court which begins there October 9th., to inquire into the facts of the murder of Mrs. Shirley.

With the only clue, given by the two yeare old daughter, that the murderer of Mrs. Jasper E. Shirley at her home nine miles south of Mt. Moriah, a week ago, is a big fat man, the Harrison county officials have little to work on and it seems that the brutal murder will remain a mystery. They are now searching for a big man with scratches on his face and hands, as blood spots on the floor of the house give evidence that the woman's assailant was injured in the fight. No one in the neighborhood, so far found, has these marks.

Several clues have been picked up and run down by the officers, only to end in nothing, and now it is believed they are completely at sea. Bloodhounds were brought there from Beatrice, Nebraska, but the trail was so cold that it could not be picked up. All the people are anxious to find the murderer and bring him to justice, but they know not which way to turn nor where to look. It seems that this must go down in history as one of the great crimes unsolved.

Bunk Davidson, a cousin of the murdered woman, a close neighbor and who is a big man, after being held two days and closely questioned by the officers, was released Friday. He was in a pasture near the Shirley home on the afternoon of the murder, it is said, but his presence there was satisfactorily explained. Another man, reported under suspicion because his face was bruised, proved an alibi by showing that his injuries were received in riding a wild horse.

The affair, so shrouded in mystery, is a peculiarly sad one, as the victim was a woman highly respected in the neighborhood where she lived, was twenty-seven years old and mother of four children ranging in age from two years up to nine.

At the home, made sad and desolate by the act of some low, brutal miscreant, there was a pitable sight. The wife and mother lying cold in death, the good neighbors gathered around with tear-stained cheeks, the four motherless little children nestling close to the distracted husband and father whose frame quivered with the pent up emotion of his awful sorrow, made a gloom which the bright sunlight streaming in through the windows and across the casket could not dispel.

When the casket was placed in a spring wagon to convey the body to the little cemetery only about a half mile away, it seemed that the poor distracted and bewildered companion's heart would break. The children, barely old enough to realize the meaning, huddled close to the father, and the little girl who witnessed the crime, not knowing that her mother was forever gone, put her arms about the father's neck. "Mamma is sleeping," she said.

The crime, which was committed Sunday a week ago, is one of the worst in the history of this country. Mrs. Shirley and her two year old daughter were left alone at the farm house that day while Mr. Shirley and the three boys went to a neighboring farm. When they returned late that evening they found the house locked. Gaining entrance through a window, they found teh wife and mother lying on the floor, cold in death. The little child was in the house with the corpse. The lady had been attacked by a man during the husband's absence, and her neck was broken.

A complete report of the coroner's inquest will be found on page 3 of The Post.

The Boonville Daily News Boonville Missouri Thu Sept 28 1911

Bunk Davidson, a farmer about 25 years old, is being held by Harrison County authorities near Melbourne in connection with the murder of Mrs. Edward Shirley of the same neighborhood. No formal charges have been preferred against Davidson. He is being guarded at his home. He is married and has two children. Mrs. Shirley was murdered Sunday in her own home after being attacked. When her husband and little son returned from a day's trip they found the doors locked. A 2-year old daughter, who remained with the mother, was in the house unhurt. The little girl told them that a a"big fat man had fought with mamma and that mamma was asleep now."

FARMER HELD AS SUSPECT

The Columbia Daily Times Columbia Missouri Tue Sep 1911 page 5

HARRISON COUNTY, MO., STIRRED BY FOUL CRIME

Woman is Murdered by an Unknown Assailant in Presence of Two-Year-Old Daughter.

Trenton, Mo., Sept. 22 - Bunk Davidson, a young married farmer, about 35 years old, and father of two children, is being held by the Harrison county authorities near Melbourne, in connection with the killing of Mrs. Ed. Shirley, of the same neighborhood. No formal charges have been preferred against Davidson, but he is being guarded at his home.

The holding of Davidson addds new fire to the already heated sentiment in the Brimson neighborhood, the outcome of one of the most brutual crimes ever known in this section of Missouri. Mrs. Shirley was murdered Sunday by an unknown assailant, who broke her neck. When her husband and little son returned home from a day's trip they found the doors locked. A 2-year-old daughter, who had remained with the mother, was inside, unhurt. The assailant had evidently escaped by a window. Mrs. Shirley's body bore no marks save bruises on her wrists, but on the window was blood, showing that her antagonist had probably not escaped unscratched.

The little girl told those who arrived later that "a big fat man" had "fought with mamma" and that "mamma was asleep now." An effort was made to get bloodhounds to the scene, but they were late in arriving and accomplished nothing.

$1,000.00 REWARD

Bethany Clipper, Bethany, MO Fri Sept 29 1911 page 1

The county court in vacation last Monday made a standing offer of $400.00 for the apprehension and arrest of the person or persons guilty of the murder of Mrs. Ed. Shirley. Another reward of $400.00 has been offered by citizens of the Shirley neighborhood, with an additional $200.00 by parties at different localities in the county, making the total reward about $1,000.00.

ORDERS GRAND JURY.

Bethany Clipper Bethany Missouri Fri Sep 29 1911 page 1

Hon. Geo. W. Wanamaker has ordered a grand jury for the October term of circuit court, which convenes at Bethany, Monday, October 9th. The jury will be instructed to make inquiries into and ferrit out, if possible, the person who murdered Mrs. Ed. Shirley, the morning of September 17th.

The Fox Creek Murder

Bethany Clipper Bethany Missouri Fri Sep 29 1911 page 1

Nothing new has developed surrounding the mysterious murder of Mrs. Ed. Shirley, that happened in an upper room of her home, Sunday morning, Sept. 17th, in the absence of her husband. The Shirley's live in Fox Creek township, and while every effort is being put forth by the peopel of that neighborhood to ascertain some clue or fact,s nothing as yet has been brought to light.

"Bump" Davidson, who was placed under arrest by H.H. Eades, deputy sheriff, had his preliminary examination before F.S. Springer, justice of the peace of Fox Creek township, Wednesday of last week. There being no evidence in which the crime could be traced to said Davidson, he was released.

Many rumors have been afloat implicating others guilty of the crime, but nothing is known at this time (or at least it has not been made known.) to cause the arrest of any other person or persons.

It is hoped by all that something will yet turn up that will bring to justice the one guilty of this awful crime.

HUSBAND TELLS OF FINDING THE DEAD BODY OF HIS WIFE

The Princeton Post, Princeton, Mo. Thu. Sep 28 1911 page 3

Three Men Testify Before Jury at Coroner's Inquest after the Murder of Mrs. Jasper E. Shirley in Harrison County. No Evidence Given to Cause an Arrest.

At the coroner's inquest, held last week over the body of Mrs. Jasper E. Shirley, who was murdered at her home nine miles south of Mt. Moriah the Sunday before, no evidence was brought out that would warrant the arrest of anyone on the charge.

The lady's husband testified as to finding the body, and two physicians reported after examination of the lady. There was no evidence of self-destruction and the jury returned a verdict that she came to her death by a broken neck received at the hands of some party or unparty unknown.

The proceedings at thevinquest are given by the Bethany Republican as follows:

At the Residence of Ed Shirley.

State of Missouri , County of Harrison: ss.

At an inquest held by the undersigned, A.C. Bonser, coroner within and for Harrison county, Missouri, in the twp., of Fox Creek, in said county, over the dead body of Amanda Lucille Shirley, who was supposed to come to her death by violence. The following testimony of witnesses was taken before said coroner and the jury, and was then and there recorded in writing, and subscribed to by the witnesses.

Jasper E. Shirley, of lawful age being first duly sworn, testified as follows:

Q. Mr. Shirley, you are the husband of the woman over whose dead body this inquest is being held, are you not?

A. Yes.

Mr. Shirley, tell in your own way the circumstances surrounding the death of your wife?

Well, I left home between ten and eleven o'clock Sunday evening and drove up near the house to two trees,at the west end of my home, and I let the two boys out and tied my team. The boys ran on to the door to open it, then they tried the two doors on the south, and found them fastened. Then one of the boys went to the other side of the house at the other door, when he came back he said, "let us in." Then they went to the window where the screen is torn off, and I says, "boys, one of you go in and open the door and let me in." I was still near the team when they opened the door. I picked up a bucket of peaches and took them in the house. The boys had gone up stairs, and when I had set the peaches down, I went up-stairs. When I got part of the way up, the boys said "mama is asleep". I went on up the stairs, and saw her lying on the floor, and my first thought was, she has fainted. I took her by the hands I saw she was cold in death. I went downstairs and phoned to my father's , mother answered and I told Manda was dead. I went to the door and I saw on the hill south, Tom Maxwell and family, and called to them to come as quick as possible. Tom came soon andasked, "what is the matter?" I told him, "Manda is dead."

We went u-pstairs together, Tom remarked, "she has only fainted, I feel her heart beating." I took her by one hand, he took her by the other as he said, "let's rub her and bring her to." I said, "no, Tom, she is dead." Well, Tom placed his head on her breast to see if he could hear her heart beat-he said he could hear her heart beat. He asked me to try, I laid my head on her breat and I could not hear her heart, and I said, "no, Tom, she is gone." We then went downstairs, Tom's wife drove up with the team, and she asked what was the matter, and I said, "Manda is dead." She says, "have you done anything yet?" and I said, "call the doctor as soon as you can. Mrs. Maxwell phoned for Dr. Saylor.

Q. Where did you go in the morning?

A. I went to my father's, first going to Mr. Utterback's

Q. For what purpose?

A. I went to take my wife's uncle's wife to Mr. Utterback's.

Q. In what position was your wife's body when you first observed it?

A. Well, she was lying on her back, with her hands outward and backward. Her lower limbs were straightened, and her dress above her knees. Our little girl about three years old was at home with her. The boys said when going upstairs, "Blanche told us ma-ma is asleep." (Signed), Jasper E. Shirley

Testimony of Dr. Saylor

Q. Dr., you may tell when you were called, and what the conditions were when you arrived, and all you know about the case.

A. Am not certain just what time I was called to Shirley's, but think it was about five or six o'clock p.m., Sept 17, 1911. Was just lighting a lamp when I came. I asked someone what had caused the death and was informed cause of death unknown. I then went up-stairs to the body, found the body lying on the back, with shoulders slightly turned to the right, head turned to the left, so that the left cheek was on the floor, with arms extended at about right angles from the body, elbows slightly flexed, hands on floor back down, and partly closed. Lower limbs extended, floor sprinkled with blood. Found her underwear loosened and around just below the hips, and underskirts up above the hips, and partly twisted around the body. I replaced clothing as found. I found skin around each wrist discolored. I then waited for Dr. Magraw, who arrived about an hour and a half afterwards. We went to the room together. After we had made partial examination of the body and surroundings, we stopped and called the coroner. At near 10:00 o'clock Sept. 18, 1911, owing to urgency for care of the body, Dr. Magraw and myself made further examination of the body, and we found no hemorrhage from the body, no wounds but found the neck broken. The only blood found on the body was on the left leg, below the knee. Am certain blood on the leg was not from the body.

Q. From your examination of the body, what in your judgement caused death?

A. A broken neck.

Q. Was there any evidence of strangulation?

A. No. In my judgement the lady has been dead three or four hours. E.M. Saylors, M.D.

Testimony of Dr. Macgraw.

My name is Jodia A. Magraw, I arrived at Ed Shirley's about 3 o'clock p.m. Sept 17, 1911. I was told Mrs. Shirley was dead. In company with Dr. Saylor, we passed up-stairs to where the body of Mrs. Shirley was. I found her lying on the floor on her back, the shoulders turned some to the right, the head to the left, the face lying flat on the floor, her arms at right angles, the elbows flexed extending above the head, the hands lying on the back and and slightly flexed, the legs seperated, with the right foot bent slightly inward: the floor was sprinkled with blood. About 9 o'clock p.m. we called the coroner, viz., Sept 18 Dr. Saylorand I made further examination of the body. We found no broken bones no open wounds but a broken neck. On the left leg below the kneevwere spots of blood. There was no part of the body that the hemorrhage came from. The dress and a skirt were above the knees, and the under part beneath the hips with one large spot of blood on them near bottom. Decomposition had set in when I first saw her, on the under side of body and around the wrists, , but on no other part of body. In my judgement, the marks around the wrists had been caused by pressure. Her drawers were unbuttoned and lowered from and below the waist. In my judgement the cause of death was a broken neck. There was no evidence of strangulation. The back of the neck had post mortem appearance. In my judgement there was no evidence of self destruction. Jodia A. Macgraw, M.D.

Verdict of the Jury:

We, the undersigned jurors, impaneled and sworn on the 18th day of September, 1911, at the township of Fox Creek, county of Harrison, State of Missouri, by A.C. Bonser, coroner in and for said county, to diligently inquire and true presentment make how and by whom Amanda Lucille Shirley came to her death, having viewed the body and heard the evidence, do find that the deceased came to her death in Fox Creek township, Harrison County, Mo., by a broken neck, received at the hands of some party or parties unknown to the jurors.

Given under our hands this 18th day of September, 1911. - E.W. Davidson, Wm. Thomas, Jacob Little, B.S. Taylor, R.A. Bond, F.S. Springer.

Unable to Find a Clue

The Post-Telegraph Wed, Sep 27, 1911 ·Page 1

Revolting Murder of Mrs. Edward Shirley Near Mt. Moriah Still Shrouded in Mystery

SUSPECTS TURNED LOOSE

Farm Hand Establishes an Alibi and Prosecutor is Unable to Secure Evidence That Warrants Placing a Formal Charge Against Davidson Who Was Arrested and Charged With the Crime the Day Following the Tragedy.

The Pot-Telegraph Princeton Mo Wed Sep 27 1911 page 1

Though nine days have elapsed since Mrs. Amanda Lucille Shirley was ravished and killed in her home near Mt. Moriah the crime is still shrouded in impenetrable mystery and there is no clue of the identity of the fiend who perpetrated one of the most revolting and babarous murders that is known in the annals of Missouri tragedies.

Vigilant work marked the course of Prosecuting Attorney Lawhead and Sheriff Mantfold (Manifold? hard to read) immediately following the discovery of the murder and though their efforts have apparently come to naught they must be given full credit for their interest and earnest efforts to discover the perpetrator of the crime.

The coroner's jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to her death by a broken neck received at the hands of some party or parties unknown to the jurors. Just after the burial a farm hand was accused of the murder but had little difficulty in establishing an alibi that could not be doubted and no formal charge was laid against him.

Suspect is Set Free

On Wednesday morning of last week "Bunk" Davidson, residing in the edge of Grundy County, was arrested for complicity in the killing. He stoutly protested his innocence and asserted he would be able to prove he had nothing to do with the murder. The wife of Davidson and Mrs. Shirley had had a quarrel about two weeks ago and Mrs. Shirley is alleged to have gotten the better of the controversy and handled Mrs. Davidson rather roughly. Some believed this fact an incentive to the murder.

A telephone message from Bethany last Friday afternoon stated the authorities had released Davidson that morning. Inability to secure evidence that would warrant the laying of a charge against him was given as a reason for his liberation. Although the officers are still at work on the case they have no other suspects under surveillance.

Story of the Crime

Evidence produced before the coroner's jury warrants the conviction that by brute force the unknown assailant assaulted and outraged his victim and that she paid the ghastly sacrifice of her life as the price for her resistance.

Mrs. Shirley and her little three year old daughter, Blanche, were the only inmates of the home Sunday afternoon. Mr. Shirley and the other children having gone to John Utterbacks, accompanied by an aunt of Mrs. Shirley. Later they went to the home of the husband's father, W.H. Shirley, where they procured some peaches and visited over an hour. When late that afternoon they returned home Mr. Shirley helped the little boys out of the spring wagon and stopped to tie his team. The boys ran to the house but could not get inside and cried out to the father that the screen doors were hooked. Mr. Shirley saw his little daughter at the door inside and his suspicions were aroused. "Big man hurt mamma, she is asleep, can't wake her up, " lisped the little daughter. Breaking open the door they began a search for Mrs. Shirley, a little son finding her dead in an upstairs room. Her neck had been broken and her body was partially denuded bearing mute evidence that she had been assaulted and outraged. There were blood stains on the floor which physicians later testified was not her blood. The wrists of the murdered woman were bloodshot as though they had been firmly gripped in the struggle and her neck also bore the marks of pressure. Everything in the room was disordered, every indication pointing that the brute had met a terrible resistance and only accomplished his purpose after he had killed his victim.

The dining room and kitchen mutely testified that Mrs. Shirley was preparing a late dinner at the time of her assailant's arrival and the conjecture is that she fled upstairs for protection. All the screens were fastened on the inside except one which was broken open and through which the assasulter had evidently made his escape.

Mrs. Shirley was a rugged, robust woman, twenty-seven years of age. She bore an excellent reputation and was held in high esteem by hosts of friends in the community in which she lived.

BROKE HIS VICTIM'S NECK.

Mrs. Ed Shirley Was Attacked and Killed While Her Husband and Sons Were Away on an Errand, Slayer Locked House and Fled.

The Gallatin Democrat Gallatin Mo. Thu Sep 21 1911 page 1

(Trenton-Republican-Tribune)

Her body was unbruised, but her neck broken, the body of Mrs. Ed. Shirley was found Sunday afternoon by her husband in an upstairs chamber of the Shirley home, seven miles north of Melbourne. Death was apparently the result of an encounter with some murderous fiend who had entered the house and attacked her while her husband was absent.

Mr. Shirley and his two sons left the home Sunday morning to go to a relative's for some peaches. They left Mrs. Shirley and her two and a half year old daughter alone. That afternoon about 2 o'clock the father and boys returned.

Every door in the house was locked. Every window was fastened save one. The little girl was locked in and too small to open the door, so one of the boys climbed through the unfastened window and turned the key.

Upstairs in a room where Mrs. Shirley had evidently gone for a nap, the chamber door was locked. Inside the room were signs of a fierce struggle and on the bed was the body of the murdered woman. Save for some blue marks on the wrist where he assailant grasped her, there were no traces of a fight on her person. A broken neck was sufficient to show that her end had been violent.

About the room on Mrs. Shirley's clothing and on the sill of the window out of which the murderer had clambered were spots of blood, mute evidence that the slaying had not been effected except at the cost of some injury to the murderer.

An inquest was held Monday, and a coroner's jury returned a verdict finding that Mrs. Shirley had come to her death at the hands of a person unknown.

The little daughter was too small to understand what had been in progress. When her father and brothers came home, Sunday afternoon she gave her version of the tragedy when she said, "Big fat man come and fight mamma and mamma fight him. Mamma asleep now." pointing to the locked bedroom door.

No arrests have been made. Officers and neighbors feel that the crime was the work of a home talent. The Shirley home was far off the main road, where tramps never came. No strangers had been see about the vicinity either before or after the murder. Residents who were acquainted with the Shirleys may have suspicions of the identity of the assailant, but they name no party.

Mrs. Shirley was about thirty years of age. She was formerly Miss Amanda Sovereighn, a half sister of Mrs. Hugh Nichols and Miss Kate Bushong, both of this county. No word has ever been heard against her character as a woman and a wife.

Efforts were made Monday to secure bloodhounds to take trail of the assailant, but it was impossible to get the dogs.

Items of Interest From Old Files of the Guide

Harrison County Times Bethany Mo Thu Sep 24 1931 page 8

Twenty Years Ago

Sep 22, 1911

-One of the most horrible and mysterious murder cases in the history of Harrison county was discovered at the home of Ed Shirley, north of Melbourne, last Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Shirley was about thirty years of age and leaves a husband, three sons, and one daughter besides a host of relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon.

TRENTON MURDER MYSTERY

No Clue to Identity of Slayer of Mrs. Ed Shirley

"Bunk" Davidson, Cousin of Victim, is Being Watched, but Has Not Been Charged With Crime

Carthage Evening Press Carthage Mo Fri Sep 22 1911 page 1

Associated Press Updates

Trenton, Mo., Sept. 22 - "Bunk" Davidson, a young married man of the Melbourne neighborhood, is being guarded in his home pending investigation in connection wtih the murder of Mrs. Ed Shirley there last Sunday. Davidson is a cousin by marriage of the murdered woman and has two children. He has not been formally charged with the crime. Davidson is a fat man, which fact alone coincides with the story of the 2-year-old daughter who witnessed the crime, but could not comprehend its meaning.

Mrs. Shirley was alone with the little daugther Sunday, her husband and little son having gone away for the day. When they returned they found the house locked and were obliged to break in. The door to Mrs. Shirley's chamber was also locked. On her bed lay the murdered woman, her neck broken as if by a twist, and bruises on her wrist evidently received in a struggle.

There was blood in the room and on the window whence her assailant had fled, but no blood had been drawn from the victim.

The baby daughter said "a big fat man slapped mamma and mamma slapped him."

The little one was not frightened. Mrs. Shirley had been assaulted. Bloodhounds from Nebraska arrived yesterday, but the trail was cold. The Shirleys are highly respectable country people living in Harrison county, near the Grundy county line.

Harrison County Times Bethany Mo. Fri Sept 22 1911 Page 1

MRS. ED SHIRLEY MURDERED

Found Dead in Her home North of Melbourne. Husband Away From Home at Time.

______________________________

One of the most horrible and mysterious murder cases in the history of Harrison county, was discovered at the home of Ed Shirley, north of Melbourne, last Sunday afternoon. Mr. Shirley in company with Mrs. Dick Whitt and another lady, who had been visiting at his home, and his three boys left about eleven o'clock Sunday morning to the home of a relative north of his house where they spent the day, leaving Mrs. Shirley and their three year old daughter at home alone. Almost half past four o'clock Mr. Stanley and the three boys returned home, and when they arrived at the house they found all the doors and windows locked, and the little girl playing about the house. One of the boys was helped in at a broken window and then unlocked the door, letting Mr. Shirley and the other boys into the house. Upon inquiring about the mother, the little girl told him, "That a fat man come and fight Mamma, and Mamma fight him. Mamma sleeping now," pointing to the locked bedroom up stairs. Mr. Shirley at once ran up the stairs and found Mrs. Shirley apparently asleep on the floor, but upon further investigation found she was dead. He rean down stairs at once and called for help, and Thos. Maxwell and wife who were in a pasture a short distance south of the house, feeding some cattle came to his aid.

Word was also sent over the country by phone and Dr. Sailor of Melbourne summoned and a short time afterwards Dr. Magraw of this city was called. Upon arrival both doctors pronounced it a case of murder, and afater examing the body, found that her neck had been broken. No other marks showing signs of a struggle were found, except on her wrists, which had turned slightly black. Death apparently was the result of an encounter wiht a fied who had entered her house and attacked her while her husband and three sons were away. In the kitchen was found a pan of potatoes and a knife which had probably been thrown by her when attacked, adn it is thought that possibly she had ran upstairs in an effort to secure a gun which was in that room.

Blood was found on Mrs. Shirley's clothing, and about the room evidencing that the slayer had been wounded in the struggle possibly with the knife which she had been peeling potatoes before retreating upstairs.

The general opinion seems to prevail in that neighborhood that the party who did the deed, was one knew that Mr. Shirley was away, and don't think it probably that a tramp had done the deed, as their home is situated off the main road and no tramps were ever known to be in that vicinity. An effort was made to secure bloodhounds, but they were unable to get them in time to do any good.

At the inquest held on Monday the jury returned a verdict that Mrs. Shirley had come to her death at the hands of some unknown person or persons.

Mrs. Shirley was about 30 years of age, and formerly Miss Amanda Sovereign, and leaves a husband, three sons and one daughter, besides a host of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon.

A great many rumors are in circulation in regard to suspicious parties being in the country, but all have proved to be false alarms. Reports were recieved here today that two arrests have been made, but it is not known for certain it is hoped that the guilty party will be found in a short time.

HARRISON COUNTY, MO., STIRRED BY MURDER OF MRS. ED SHIRLEY

ST Louis Glove-Democrat St Louis MO Fri Sept 22 1911 page 4

SPECIAL DISPATCH TO THE GLOBE-DEMOCRAT

TRENTON, MO. September 21. - Bunk Davidson, a young married farmer, about 35 years old and father of two children, is being held by the Harrison County authorities near Melbourne, in connection with the killing of Mrs. Ed Shirley of the same neighborhood. Late to-day no formal charges had been preferred against Davidson, but he was being guarded at his home.

The holding of Davidson adds new fire to the already heated sentiment in the Brimson neighborhood, the outcome of one of the most brutal crimes ever known in this section of Missouri. Mrs. Shirley was murdered Sunday by an unknown assailant, who broke her neck. When he husband and little son returned from a day's trip they found the doors locked. A 2-year-old daughter, who had remained with the mother, was inside, unhurt. The assailant had evidently escaped by a window. Mrs. Shirley's body bore no marks save bruises on her wrists, but on the window was blood, showing that her antagonist had probably not escaped unscratched.

The little girl told those who arrived later that a "big fat man" had "fought with mamma" and that "mamma was asleep now." An effort was made to get bloodhounds to the scene, but they were late in arriving and accomplished nothing.

Nov 17 1911 page 3 Bethany Republican-Clipper, Bethany, MO AND The Cainsville News, Cainsville, MO Thu Nov 23 191 page 1

County Court A reward of $400 offered for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons guilty of the murder of Mrs. Ed Shirley on Sept. 17 1911. This reward to stand for one year from Nov. 3 1911.

I did a trial subscription to newspapers.com and found some more articles on this tragedy....

will try to get them on here in a timely fashion. I was hoping I 'd find something that said they solved her case. no. sadly, I did not. this poor woman. she's a cold case. did they have cold cases back then? they just didn't seem to have anything much to go on. it was a different time. no CCTV footage, or DNA, or cell phone pings, or devices for the FBI to unlock and scrutinize. no profilers or sketch artists. no witnesses besides her young daughter. RIP, Amanda.

so, I read something that made me think of Amanda, and jotted it down to place in her book. (or case file?)

and I read through it all again, tried to find answers to questions I'd previously jotted down, did some online looking....and stumbled on what I think is an AI generated something...all the links went to my Amanda blog. then I saw a Reddit post from 5 years ago, so at this late stage in life, I have joined Reddit. there were 2 comments on this post. will have to figure out how to navigate Reddit, maybe I will find more posts.