The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-12-19
SHOOTING SCRAPE.
THE TOWN OF GAINESVILLE TREATED
TO A SENSATIONAL SHOOT.
ING AFFAIR.
A DUEL ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE.
Two Aldermen Have Fight in the Cham.
Der and Afterwards Pull Their
Pistols on the Street.

GAINESVILLE, December 16.-A sensa-
tlonal shooting occurred on the public
square about noon today between Alder
men }. w. Phillips and A. R. Smith. The
origin of the difficulty was disagreement
over bill before the city council, during
the course of which Alderman Smith made
some remarks about the brick fund. AL
derman Phillips asked what he meant bv
the brick fund, and Smith replied that he
meant by brick fund fund out of which
the brick sewer was being built, and the
brick lumber bills and other brick bills
paid.
Phillips said if Smith proposed to init,
mate that he (Phillips) was asking any,
thing dishonest or dishonorable he (Smithl
was liar and thief.
Smith made at Phillips, but was seized,
as was Phillips also by officers and others
who were present. Smith, who is power
full man, showed Officer Boiling aside and
made another rush for Phillips, who in the
meantime had grabbed walking stick. In
the scrimmage which followed Smith fell
among confusion of chairs and fell on
Jake Brazelton, breaking Jake's
arm. Alderman Phillips walked out
of the hall and Alderman
Smith took a seat and the proceedings of
the council were renewed. The mayor en-
tered fine of $40 against Phillips.
After Phillips left the room the mayor
called him to order again and threatened to
put another fine against him. The council
then adjourned.
When the members filed out Phillips was
in the hall and made some remark to
Smith, whereupon another melee was
inaugurated, but the officers
overpowered the two men and
persuaded them to leave the hall. Later
Smith walked up to Phillips on the public
square and remarked to HIM that he was a
stinker, or some such expression, adding
that he (Smith) was not afraid of Phillips
Phillips made some rejoinder and told
Smith to 60 away and leave him, but see
ing Smiths pistol in his hand under his
overcoat, he said to his friends who were
endeavoring to restrain him.
Don't you see the man has pistol and
is going to shoot me? Turn me loose, +" or
some words of similar portent
Smith at this time jerked his pistol and
began backing away as he fired and Phil
lips fired at him, the first shot taking eff
feet in Smiths right hand and the second
in his left jaw, the latter ball coming, out
about midway DeIWeen IHo ohouiuSio'
Smith fell with cry of pain at the last
shot, having meantime, some witnesses
state, fired his second shot at Phillips.
heather of Smiths shots hit the mark.
When Phillips saw that his enemy was
down he lowered his pistol, walked to the
court house and surrendered.
Smiths wounds are not fatal. Phillips
bond was placed at $4,000. Phillips
waving examination the bond was quickly
given.
j. w. Phillips is the senior member OF
the firm of Phillips & Townley, lessees OF
the Lindsay house, and is Virglnian by
birth. Most everybody knows him as Joe,
and he has many friends. He was Iexas
ranger good many years ago, and has the I1e
reputation of being brave as a hon. he
was elected a member of the city council
as a democrat and is serving his first term.
r. F. Smith is a deputy of United states
Marshal Knight, of the northern district q
Texas. He is powerful man muscularly
and bears the reputation OF being thor, thor
oughly brave and fearless. he iso was eiected aed
to the present council as republican anu
is serving his first term.