Amanda Shirley was murdered in her own home by person unknown on September 17, 1911 in her home a few miles north of Melbourne in the Cat Creek neighborhood.
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.
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.
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.
-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.
Bethany Republican-Clipper Wed Jan 16 1935 page 3
Miss Blanch Shirley visited in the Clay Shirley home a part of last week.
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.
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.
