West Feliciana County Louisiana Archives News.....Joe D. Smith Killed by Chas. Bell January 1, 1901
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Jan Harville janharville@gmail.com March 22, 2011, 5:15 pm

The True Democrat. January 1, 1901
The True Democrat.
January 1, 1901
Page 3; Column 5

A Christmas Tragedy.

Joe D. Smith Killed by Chas. Bell.

The day following Christmas was clouded by an event of which the public 
generall felt the shadow, coming as it did so soon after the peace and good 
will, which seemed more than unusually prevelant, this year.  The event 
referred to was the killing of Joe D. Smith by Chas. Bell, both well known 
residents of this parish.  The trouble which wa the cause of the affair, dated 
from Saturday last, and on account of which Mr. Smith had threatened Bell's 
life.  The latter heard that Smith and his brother, Jeff D. Smith were in 
town, and is reported to have sent home for his rifle.  The men met at Stern's 
saloon in lower St. Francisville, Wednesday afternoon.  Mr. Bell remarked to 
Mr. Smith, that he was ready to shoot it out.  Smith, who was on the gallery, 
backed into the saloon, pulling his pistol.  Before he could fire, Mr. Bell 
fired through the window, the shot taking effect, penetrating the throat and 
causing instant death.  Mr. Bell then covered with his rifle Mr. Jeff Smith 
who was however unarmed.  The surviving principal was at once arrested and 
lodged in jail.

The coroner's inquest found a verdict to the effect that deceased came to his 
death by hemorrage due to a rifle wound in the throat from a weapon in the 
hands of Chas. Bell.

Judge Kilbourne held a preliminary examination, Thursday, and the facts of the 
case were brought to light.  Witnesses were adduced in behalf of the defendant 
to prove that Mr. Smith had threatened Bell's life, due to the latter's action 
on Saturday last, while acting as deputy constable.  It seems that there was 
such a crowd in town on that day, that Mr. Bell was sworn in as a deputy.  In 
pursuance of his duty, he arrested Becky Bruce, a negro woman, when another 
woman Francis Rhodes by name, put in a word also, resisting the arrest, and 
Mr. Bell tapped her on the head with his pistol.  This was taken as a 
grievance by Mr. Smith and began the trouble between the two men.  It is 
related that Mr. Smith sought Mr. Bell at his home armed with a pistol and a 
stick, but though the latter was armed, it was agreed to shoot it out later-
with the above hideous tragedy resulting.

After hearing the evidence, Mr. Bell was indicted for murder and allowed bond 
of $1000.  This was given by Messrs. Chas. Weyder, R. A. Harrison, and A. 
Schlesinger and the prisoner was released.

The remains of Joe D. Smith were taken to the residence of his sister, Mrs. S. 
C. Stirling, whence the funeral took place Thursday at 5 p. m. with interment 
in Locust Grove cemetery.  He leaves two brothers, W. B. and J. D. Smith and 
two sisters, Mrs. Stirling, and Mrs. Balfour of New Orleans.  The family is 
closely related to Jefferson Davis, a fact in which they take a pardonable 
pride.  Mr. Smith was a planter and magistrate of the tenth ward for many 
years.  His death occured at the age of 50 years and 8 months.  His relatives 
have our sympathy in the severe shock they have received in his untimely end.

Additional Comments:
Joe D. Smith's full name was Joseph Davis Smith.  He was the son of Dr. Joseph 
Davis Smith, Sr. and Marie Coralie Guibert.  

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