The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-07-18
STREET DUEL IN MEXICO.
Two Bright Young Lawyers
ShoOt--RhOdes Clay Dead,
6. A. Barnes Wounded.


Immediately on the heels of CO.
lumbia's unfortunate killing came
the news from our neighboring city
of Mexico, that last Thursday eve-
ming in front of the Mexico post
office, Clarence Barnes, we'll known
in Columbia, shot and killed
Rhodes Clay, who was Audrain
county's representative in the
present Legislature and the dem
ocratic nominee at the coming
election. The suddenness of the
tragedy and the prominence of the
two parties made the affair a most
deplorable one. Both Barnes and
Clay were young attorneys of
Mexico, Rhodes being son of
Ex-senator Green Clay. Barnes
graduated from the law department
of the state University in 1899, and
was very popular as a student.
While here he had a room at the
home of Mrs. S. r. Prewitt, on
Broadway, and in the military made
record as a crack shot.
The two men met and began a
fusilade of bullets, with the result
that six or shots were exchanged
but it is not clear yet who fired the
first shot. Clay was shot two or
three times in the chest and
stomach, was conscious five minutes
and lived an hour. Barnes got a
bullet in his right hand, and as a
result may lose the whole arm.
The tragedy is the outcome of a
personal grievance over land deal
some weeks ago, wherein a mis-
understanding between the two
families occurred.
LATER FACTS.
Mexico, Mo-, July l5.-It is stated
this morning. that the preliminary
trial of Clarence Barnes, will be held
as soon as the wounded man is able
to be present at the hearing. 1t is
thought this will be the last of this
week or the first of next week. 1t
is said this morning that Barnes did
not rest so well last night, but it is
not expected that he will lose his
right arm unless blood poison
develops. He is kept under guard
night and day by the sheriff or his
deputy.
Now that the coroners inquest
failed to determine anything except
that which was known, that CLAW
was killed by Clarence Barnes, it is
left tor the preliminary trial to
develop the material facts. All the
witnesses were not put on the stand
at the coroner's inquest. w. w.
Fry, Clay's partner, will assist in the
prosecution with Mr.. Buckley,
Frank Jesse, George Robertson and
probably others will defend Barnes.
Colonel Clay, father of the late
representative, said he had told his
son to be careful, that his enemies
were ''loaded for him." He has not
said yet whether or not he would
consent to become a candidate to fill
the vacancy caused by the killing
of his son. He is urged to do so,
that he may carry through the state
legislature the measures which his
son had taken up, especially the bill
separating state and local taxes.
For the first time the story of the
killing was told on the witness stand
yesterday by witness. He is A. ].
Winscott. He testified that he was
in the Intelligencer office when he
saw Clay and Barnes meet at the
postoffice. They went into the
Office and then came out on the
pavement and were almost face to
face, five or six feet apart.
II could see Mr.. Barnes put his
left arm up and his other hand on
his revolver, and almost instantly
heard a shot" he said. "My inn
preston is there were two shots,
and then the general fusillade. Mr..
Barnes shot first. There Is no
question about that. Barnes, after
shooting all the loads out of his
revolver, either struck his heel
against cutoff water plug or
stepped off the walk with his right
foot. He fell ion his back and his
revolver dropped out of his hand.
While he was down, Clay pointed
his pistol at him and held it
momentarily and seemed to look at
him and then turned and walked up
the street south.
"By that time l got within twenty
feet of Clay halooed at Mr.. Barnes,
Clarence, don't shoot any more, I'll
take care of Rhodes
''He reDlied Il hayan't any n,ora