Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1900-08-16

COIIUWLuS 10 dS dCCuFdb0 al dCCOuui
of the unfortunate shooting that took
place between the Dooleys and Har.
rises at Doe Run last Saturday as we
have been able to obtain after careful
investigation, and from the testimony
given before the Coroner's jury, and
from statements of eye witnesses made
after the excitement had somewhat
subsidized. The entire matter is diff.
cult of solution, and many conflicting
stories are aloat. The results of the
affair are, however, very evident. VIM.
Dooley, the father. is dead; his son,
john, seriously wounded; Yves Harris,
dead; Jim and Frank Harris seriously
wounded. Ora Literal. a bystander,
was shot through the foot. Leslie,
Will, and Joe Dooley are in Jail await
ing preliminary hearing. Will Harris
is still at large.
The trouble is of long standing, and
has been augmented from time to time
during the past three years by quarrels,
and on n occasion by a fist fight be-
tween Yves Harris and two of the
Dooley boys.
From the testimony available the
only conclusion that can be drawn as
to the characters of the two families is
that the HAIRLESS are inclined to be
troublesome, one of them having been
accused of several serious breaches of
the law. The Dooleys bear good repu-
t~ations, and while being fearless and
well able to take care of themselves,
have never been known to be the ag-
gressors ia any trouble.
Some three years ago old man
Dooley and one of his sons were wit
nesses against Yves Harris, accused of
petit Iarcency. From hat time bad
blood has existed between the two
families. This i'll feeling was increased
about a year ago by some trouble be-
tween Leslie Dooley and Yves Harris
over the formers wife, who finally left
Dooley and went t. live with Harris.
A short time ago the HAIRLESS and
two of the Dooleys met at a picnic at
Flat River. A fight ensued in which
Yves Harris is reported to have consid-
erably worsted the Dooleys and two of
their friends; he having a pair of
brass knucks, and the other side being
entirely unarmed.
From all that can be learned the
Harris boys sen word to the Dooleys a
few days before the Doe Run picnic,
warning them to stay away from Doe
Run on that day. The Dooleys re-
turned word that they were going to
the picnic, and would be prepared to
defend themselves.
James Literal, father OF the girl
who was shot. is reported to have told
that he was standing near a lemonade
stand talking to old man Dooley when
Yves Harris came up and commenced
cursing Dooley. The latter stepped
closer to Harris and engaged in con-
versation with him. Thereupon Har-
ris showed him back and at the same
time drew his revolver and fred. The
shot took effect in the left hip. Dooley
sank hack, another ball hitting him in
the arm, and died almost instantly.
From the first shot the four HAIRLESS
and the four Dooley boys are reported
to have opened Immediately. John
Dooley drew his revolver and COM
menced shooting at Yves Harris, Jim
and Frank Harris joined in with re-
v~olvers, and Win, Joe, and Leslie
Dooley also opened fire; the latter first
emptying his revolver. then securing
his Winchester rifle and continuing the
fight. John Dooley was shot through
the body and fell. Yves Harris backed
to a tree, behind which he took posi-
ton, reloaded and continued to shoot
first al n then the other of the Doo-
leys. Finally stepping from behind
his tree he shot at Leslie Dooley; again
he stepped out to shoot, when Dooley
raised his Winchester and fired, the
ball striking Harris just over the left
eye, killing him instantly. He had
been hit four or five times.
The fight now took on q new phase
as Will Harris dashed up on his horse,
shooting as he came. The Dooley
boys secured Yves Harris revolver and
made the firing so hot that the HAIRLESS
fell back. About this time Jim and
Frank Harris both fell badly wounded,
and VIII Harris fed down q gully and
through the house OF Mr.. Templetcn,
pursued by two OF the Dooley boys.
He escaped without injury and denies
having been engaged in the shooting;
but the testimony of Squire Ledbetter
confirms the words OF the Dooleys, who
say he was in the fight. Mr.. Ledbet-
ter did not know the Harris boys by