The Shamberger Case
A Jury Says He Is Innocent of the Murder of a Young Girl
SAD STORY OF A YOUNG WOMAN
Her Pathetic Letter to Her Mother, Father, Brother and Sisters – A Life Ruined That Might have Dispensed Blessings and Happiness to All.
Dallas Morning News
16 June 1889, Page 2
KAUFMAN, Tex. June 15 – In the case of the state of Texas vs. Henry Shamberger, which has been on trial in the district court here for four days, the jury this morning returned a verdict of not guilty. The defendant was charged with the murder of Anna Smith in Hunt county on the 2d day of July, A.D., 1885. The cause was removed to this county by a change of venue and has been twice tried. The first trial resulting in a conviction of murder in the second degree was reversed by the court of appeals.
The circumstances surrounding the case as developed on the trial were painfully interesting and thrilling. Attracting o the court house a large concourse of spectators. The following is a brief synopsis of the principal facts and circumstances developed on the trial.
In the fall of 1884 Anna Smith, a bright, attractive girl of 16 summers, came with her father, Isaac Smith, and family from Fannin county and located in Hunt county near Payne’s store. The defendant began to wait on Anna about February, 1885. About the middle of June he took her to an examination. By accident they got lost and spent the night in a country schoolhouse, returning home the next day, both parties being intoxicated. It was shown that shortly after this Anna and her father quarreled and had a difficulty, both being intoxicated.
Monday night, July 1, 1885, there was a party at Roberts, in Hunt county, some eight miles from Smith’s. Sunday before Anna left home, spending the day and part of the night alone in Caddo bottom. During the night she came to Mrs. William Shamberger’s, by whom she was sheltered during the night. She told Mrs. Shamberger that she had been driven from home and that she would never return; that she was disgraced and did not want to live. Mrs. Shamberger persuaded her in vain to return home.
Monday morning Anna went to Mr. Miles Vansicle’s, who agreed to let her remain until she could find a home. During the day she and Miss Lu Vansicle went together in a buggy to Greenville, where they met Mr. Mansel Mathews, who agreed to accompany them to the party at Roberts that evening. While they were talking the defendant, Henry Shamberger, came up, and it was agreed that he should go with Anna Smith and Mathews should go with Miss Vansickle. The girls, returning to Mr. Vansicle’s, in due time Mathews and Shamberger called for them and took them to the Roberts party, where they remained until a late hour and started to return home. Among other persons at the party, the evidence showed, was Gov. Roberts.
On the return trip the defendant and Anna went ahead, Mathews and Lee Vansicle following. When the latter couple reached a point near Payne’s store they found Anna sitting by the roadside alone. On inquiry she said she and Shamberger had fallen out and that she would not ride with him any further. She likewise refused to ride with Mathews and his partner. Passing on about 100 yards, Mathews found Shamberger stopped in the road. Mathews held Shamberger’s horses until he went back after Anna. Presently Mathews heard them coming, and, leaving Shamberger’s team, drove on. After driving two miles or more Mathews discovered Shamberger’s team following him, the buggy being empty, whereupon he returned and when near the place where he had left Shamberger he met the latter, who said Anna Smith had killed herself and that he (Shamberger) had tried to kill himself, but did not have the nerve to do it. Shamberger had a large pistol in his hand and was wounded in the fleshy part of the arm. They then returned to where Mathews had first left Shamberger’s buggy and there found Anna Smith lying on the ground dead with a gunshot wound near the left nipple, the ball having passed straight through the body. Shamberger threw himself on the ground beside the dead body, caressing it and manifesting great grief and distress.
Four shots were fired in close succession. A witness testified that he heard the shots and that he heard a voice say:
“Oh, Henry, don’t do that!”
The theory of the state was that the defendant first seduced the deceased, then outraged her on the fatal night and took her life. The defendant’s theory was suicide. The verdict of an honest, impartial jury says the defendant is not guilty. The defendant stated that she snatched the pistol from him and killed herself before he could prevent it.
The state’s theory of the case necessarily admitted a wide range of testimony, bringing into review almost a story of the whole life of the deceased, particulary her character for virtue, her deportment and habits. Many of the incidents detailed in the evidence were highly sensational and touching in their character. A fuller reference to them is not deemed proper.
The case, viewed as a whole, is full of sad and melancholy interest. It presents the picture of a once bright, innocent, promising young girl who might under proper influences have brown into a pure and lovely womanhood, an ornament to her sex, dispensing blessings and happiness to all about her, but who in an evil hour fell a victim to the malign influences which hovered around her young life.
The following pathetic letter was found written on the flyleaf of a book after Anna Smith left home. It shows where she located the fountain and source of all her woes.
“Good-bye to the family. Forget, but I will not ask you to forgive. I have disgraced you, but I will never more impose myself upon you.
“Jim, I am no one to give advice, but do as you are doing now and let no one have influence over you.
“Belle, do just the opposite of what your disgraceful sister has done and the world shall honor you.
“Beula, mind ma and be a good girl.
“Ma, I am sorry it is so, I have to leave you, but it is too late to repent now.
“Pa, never spoil another one of your children by giving them too much rope. For your soul’s sake of a family who look to you for support, quit the damnable cup. It has ruined you and me. And now forget that I ever existed.
“To those who once were friends of mine, ask them to think of me only when I was good.
“Now, farewell, for time eternal!
“Anna.”
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The Shamberger Case
Forney Tribune
Friday, 18 June 1889, Page 3
In the case of the state of Texas vs. Henry Shamberger, which has been on the trial in the district court at Kaufman for four days, the jury Saturday morning returned a verdict of not guilty. The defendant was charged with the murder of Anna Smith in Hunt County on the 2nd day of July, A.D. 1885, The case was removed to this county by a change of venue and has twice tried. The first trial resulting in a conviction of murder in the second degree and his punishment being assessed at 10 years in the penitentiary was reversed by the court of appeals. The circumstances surrounding the case as developed on the trial were painfully interesting and thrilling. Attracting to the court house a large concourse of spectators.
