Monroe County AlArchives News.....Senator Oscar O. Bayles Killed July 15, 1909
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Elizabeth Lloyd  Marsden marsdenfam@hotmail.com October 10, 2007, 12:37 am

Monroe Journal July 15, 1909
D.K. Smith Inflicts Mortal Wounds in Desperate Pistol Duel

Senator Oscar O. Bayles was shot and mortally wounded in a pistol duel with 
D.K. Smith about six o'clock yesterday evening. The shooting took place in 
front of the drug store shortly after the arrival of the afternoon train on 
which Mr. Bayles returned from Montgomery where both men had been to appear 
before the pardon board in connection with the application of Issac and Jesse 
Shirley for pardon.  Mr. Bayles represented the applicants as attorney and Mr. 
Smith contested the granting of the pardon.  It is supposed that feeling was 
engendered between the parties in the course of the proceedings.  Mr. Smith 
returned from Montgomery at noon and Mr. Bayles arrived on the afternoon 
train.  the encounter took place soon after the arrival of the latter.  Some 
words passed between the parties when Mr. Bayles struck Mr. Smith, knocking 
him down.  Smith arose, pistol in hand and fired, the ball taking effect in 
Bayles' abdomen. Several shots were exchanged, a second shot taking effect in 
Senator Bayles' side, penetrating the bowels.  Mr Bayles staggered into Dr. 
Coxwells office near which the shooting occurred, and Mr. Smith retired into 
the drug store.  Both men emerged a few moments later and exchanged shots but 
without effect.  The shooting was witnessed by several persons. 
Quite a crowd soon collected, attracted by the firing.  Smith escaped through 
a rear window of the drug store, but later surrendered to the sheriff and is 
now in jail.  Physicians reached Mr. Bayles soon after the shooting and 
rendered every assistance in their power but it was soon apparent that the 
wounds were mortal.  Mr. Bayles died about midnight. He is survived by his 
wife and six children, his mother, two brothers and three sisters to whom the 
sympathy of the community goes out in their bereavement.
The date for Mr. Smith's preliminary hearing has not been set.

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