J.D. MURREL AND R.W. DAVIS SHOOTING
Crowley Signal December 17, 1904
News Article from Adadia Parish
Submitted by Winston Boudreaux, 2006

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J.D. MURREL AND R.W. DAVIS SHOOTING
Crowley Signal December 17, 1904
A shooting affray took place at Church Point Tuesday between J.D. Murrell, 
mayor of the town, and R.W. Davis, ex-marshal. The shooting took place about 
8 o’clock in the morning in front of the residences of the parties.
The trouble that resulted in the shooting is said to have originated the night 
before and its nature has not been made public. Tuesday morning Mr. Murrel 
walked out on the gallery of his house and a few minutes later Davis, whose 
residence adjoins that of Murrel, appeared on his gallery with a shotgun in his 
hand. He is said to have remarked: “I am going to settle with you now”, and 
raised the gun and fired at Murrel. Murrel jumped back into his house, but not 
before a part of the charge of shot had taken effect. He was hit on the head but 
the wound was slight.
Murrel seized his own shotgun, rushed out on the gallery and fired two shots 
at Davis, who was still standing in front of the house. Both shots took effect, 
one in Davis’ left leg and the other in his right side. The wounds are serious 
but not fatal. Davis’ brother, James, and his six year old child, who had run 
out on the gallery when the first shot was fired, were also hit, one shot 
passing through the child’s body. None of the injuries are thought to be 
dangerous, that inflicted on the child being most serious.
Mr. Murrel came to Crowley Tuesday afternoon and surrendered himself to the 
authorities. He will be given preliminary hearing as soon as the witnesses are 
able to appear in court.
The affair caused quite a sensation in the north part of the parish, owing to the 
prominence of the parties. Mr. Murrel is serving his second term as mayor of 
Church Point, while Mr. Davis was for a number of years marshal of the town. 
While it is publicly asserted that the trouble started the night before, it is 
generally believed by parties who claim to be posted that the real trouble is of 
longer standing. Last spring during the political campaign both parties were 
on the municipal ticket and were opposing each other. Davis, who was a 
candidate for re-election as city marshal, was defeated, partly, it is claimed, 
through the efforts of Murrel. The trouble between the two is said to have been 
brewing ever since.
Mr. Murrel was seen by a Signal representative at the parish jail this morning 
but declined to make any statement as to the cause of the trouble, saying it 
originated the night before over a trivial affair. Mr. Murrel says he acted wholly 
in self defense and that he did not shoot until he was attacked. He deplores 
the affair but cannot see how he could have avoided it. He is a young man of 
pleasing appearance and bears an excellent reputation in the neighborhood of 
Church Point. He is a brother of Sheriff Murrel of this parish. His statement of 
the affair is practically as given above.
Mr. Davis also bears a good reputation not only in Church Point but all over 
the parish.  During his service as marshal of the town he was known s a good 
and fearless officer. Mr. Davis was unable to come to Crowley on account of 
his wounds and no statement could be obtained from him. So far as it is 
known there were no eyewitnesses to the affair except the members of the two 
families.