The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-09-08
TWO MEN WOUNDED IN AN ENCOUNTER Prominent Selmians Fight on
 the Street BOTH THE MEN MAY DIE John G. Norris and His Son-In-Law, J. Kirk P.iilen, Exchange Five Shots
 Each-Domestic Trouble
 Said to Be Cause.

Selma, September 7.-(special.)-A pistol duel and personal encounter between two Selmians well known and prominent, created no little excitement in this city and 1t is expected that death may en- sue for one or both. The interest in the case is intensified because of the relation ship existing between the two men, that of father-in-law and son-in-law. They are John G. Norris, one of the oldest citizens of Selma, and J. Kirk Philen, son of Policeman A. Phlen, also an old resident of the city. Norris is a well-known contractor and served for a number of years as chief of the volun- teer fire department and also as a mem Der of the city council from the Third ward. Philen is second lieutenant of Bat tery c, and was on duty during the past month with his command in the strike zone
 About eight or ten years ago Philen married Miss Nellie Norris Some two or thraee years ago Philen had a disagree ment with his father-in-law and bad blcod has existed between the two men l for some time. Peace was patched up but about a year ago another disagree ment occurred over money matters and 1 the two men have not spoken to each other since. Four or five months ago Mrs. Philen underwent eight or nine operations, her life being saved through the skill of the surgeon. Upon her leav- ing the sanatorium she went to the home of her parents and her husband was for bidden the house. The domestic es- arrangement became wide from that time. ChiId's Body Moved.
 During the time of Lieutenant Philens absence in Birmingham, the body of his 7-months-old child was moved from tho lot of a relative to the lot purchased by Mir Norris. Renewed hostilities were begun upon the return of Philen to Selma and today came the continuation. Both men have been going armed for some time.
 ! Washington street. passing directly in | front of the home of c. M. Philen, brother of J. Kirk Philen As Norris reached the gate. Philen stepped out and stopped him and the personal encounter l began. Both men jerked paling from | the fence and began to belabor each l other. At some period in the encounter both men drew pistols and commenced firing, each firing five shots. Two of the shots fired by each man took effect
 in his antagonist Norris was shot in the leg and in the abdomen, the latter billet ranging upwards and it is not knoar whether 1t was fired while Philen was on the ground or as Norris was down. Both men, according to reports, knocked each other down more than once before the pistol firing began.
 Philen was shot through the right am, the ball lodging in his clothing and being found after he was carried to rol'ce headquarters. At headquarters it was found that Philen had also been shot under the right arm, between fourth and fifth ribs, the ball ap- parently going straight in, causing a serious and perhaps fatal wound. He was hurried to his home and is receiv- ing attention. He was able, however, to walk to the police headquarters and back to hack to be carried home.
 Norris Seriously Wounded.
 Norris was badly beaten about the head besides the pistol wounds and after being carried to his home it was decided that lis only chance lay in an operation as he was bleeding internally from the wound in the abdomen. He was removed at once to the Union Street hospital and the operation performed. At this writing he is in a critical condition, but 1t can not be stated what will be the result.
 Both men are stalwart in form, Nor ris weighing 25O pounds and being over six feet high, and Philen being about six feet and weighing about 200 pounds. The difficulty did not come as a surprise to those who knew of the conditions. Norris Is about 60 years of age and was born in Missouri. He is a cousin of Jesse ana Frank James and on one occasion Frank James spent the night in Selma at Nor ris house.
 Death of Oldest Citizen. Sunday morning at Il o'clock at his