This is a little long - but thought it would be of interest to all:
The Ledger, on the 6th, contained an account of a shooting at Little York,
Washington count, in which Bruce GARRIOTT, a well known business man,
received two balls from a pistol fired by Elmer SMITH. It was hoped GARRIOTT
would recover, but the wounds proved fatal, his death occurring on the 7th
instead.
Elmer SMITH, who did the shooting, formerly resided at New Albany. He left
this city and went to Jeffersonville, where he opened a saloon and where he
was engaged in several difficulties, as he had been at New Albany. From
Jeffersonville he removed to Little York.
The difficulty that led to the shooting grew out of a dispute in SMITH's
saloon, between SMITH and GARRIOTT in relation to an election which had been
held a few days before to decide the question of incorporating the town.
GARRIOTT was a warm advocate of incorporation and SMITH just as warm against
it. SMITH charged GARRIOTT with favoring the incorporation in order to tax
saloons so high they would have to quit. GARRIOTT called him a liar, and
then SMITH fired on him. Both men were drinking at the time, and it appears
had previously been good friends.
SMITH was arrested and lodged in jail at Salem for shooting with intent to
kill. Wednesday evening, after GARRIOTT's death, the charge was changed to
murder in the first degree.- The New Albany Ledger
Later--Since the above was put in type we have learned that Mr. G is not
dead but is in a fair way of recovery.
(now! how's that for a news blunder........not so much different than
today?)