The Mother Who Fled a Tyrant

For the past two days, the town has been talking about a well-known situation and the recent events concerning those who name the elder Shaw and Mrs. Shaw. The mother reflected on her ordeal and yesterday made an affidavit before the grand jury to the authorities of what she has endured. A warrant was today issued for the arrest of one F. H. Shaw by Deputy Sheriff E. D. Smith, upon a charge of rape, the crime alleged to have been committed against his own child.

Mrs. Shaw, the mother, said: 'I am so glad to be rid of what he was. He told me that he had the power to make me suffer for what I did. I had to let him, as I was alone. I wonder if God could save me? I have suffered day after day in this little house alone with that man and my poor child through these long two years. I could not speak. I wanted to start to tell it all to the public. Twenty times I have started to go to the courthouse to tell the judge, but something always told me: "No, not yet, not yet," and held me back. Finally, I started again and dared to tell all and save my child, and I screamed as though I needed to be heard fast enough, but it was as though there was no power protecting me. I did not know that the neighbors were near. I told the probate judge and the prosecuting attorney. I told them that I placed my life in their hands, for he had threatened to kill me if I ever told. It is very easy to be like that, but I finally let it all out. He has mortgaged my farm and spent my money, but I am determined to at least save my child from him.'

F. H. Shaw is a man about fifty years of age, and residents all know he owns 320 acres of land on the ridge north of the city. He had no business office, but lived by trading land and livestock. The mother is a woman of about thirty, usually well-developed for her age. She lived living with her mother. She took a trip East at the request of her husband a short time ago, but he returned unexpectedly today. Sheriff Will is now in Snohomish looking for him. The man will probably be tried at this term of court, where it is expected that other developments will be made. The whole proceeding has, by a strange effort, been kept within a limited circle and the circumstances of the individuals and Shaw's act are not widely known.