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.