The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1909-03-26
SHOT TO DEATH.
RObt. Stepp Killed by chas. Smith
ia Martin County Last
Friday.

Near the margin Of the Coldwater
fork of Rockcastle creek, Martin touE-
ty, In the deep stiffness OF coun-
try night, and with no witnesses
rave the ars, two stalwart men
fought a pistol duel to the death tf
one. The survivor is in jail at lnsz,
the county seat OF Martin, awaiting
los trial onia charge of murder, Bob
Stepp, OF the same county, sleeps
in the narrow house appointed TO
ell the living. A widow and five
children survive the husband and
father.
Charles Smith, the man who says
that he fired in self defense the bull
lets which mmade him homicide ur
rendered himself TO the authorities
and will trust his case to the verdict
Of twelve OF his peers.
As usual there are two-often more
sides to every story. II Is so In
this case. The dead man would, II
he could speak, tell his version Of
the deadly encounter. Smith is. 20
far as the News can learn, the only
living witness, and his statement,
win be welghty when told In court.
He had been staying in Jnez OF late,
and he says that last Friday night,
the night OF the tragedy, he left
Inez to go TO thehome of John Work.
man, who lives on the Clearwater
fork, near the mouth OF Blacklog,
something like two miles above lnez,
and where some Of Smiths children
were staying. On the opposite side
CT Rockcastle was grocery store
kept by man by the name Of Preece
lstepp lived about half mile from
this locality. But II is known that }.
was in the store late Friday evening,
Stepp had a sort OF chum named Mat
Luster, and these two had beenrto-
geher late Friday afternoon. After
Smith had been In Workman's house
for some time he went out toward th'
creek bank He had not gone far
until he hear man say is that YOU
Mat?" NO" responded Smith, ,"Pnl
Lot Mat Luster, I'm Charley Smith,
"well, you're the - Of a - I'm
AFTER and the man who askeS
the question, Bob stepp. ran rapid
ly toward Smith. When he got clcst
enough 10 see his adversary StepT
began to fire at him, still advancing
rapidly. When close enough he grab
bed Smith by the coat. Smith Jerk
ed away from him, tearing the but
tons from his coat in the act j
was then, so he says, and not MI
then, that Smith fired. He thot twic
the first shot piercing Stepp's heart
the second taking effect in his back
Smith Immediately went down L
Ihez, awakened County Judge Jane
; Kirk and surrendered himself int
custody A party went to the seen
Of the killing and found Stepp lyini
, dead on the ground. In his hand wa
revolver containing one loaded car
fridge and four empty shells.
There is no evidence that whiske
Rad any special place in this lates
killing. But there is much TO Ihov
that the devil of jealousy played n
small part in the tragedy.
. Smith had been twice married an
twice divorced, both women III liy
a ihg 1t is openly charged tha
!, stepps attentions to one Of ihes
! caused the bad feeling which on ths
n unlucky Friday night eliminated i
bis death. Stepp was a nephew Of 4
per County Judge Stepp, deceased
and had relatives all over Marti
county.
: Smith was well known in this tt
y puring part Of the past fall and wiz
Ter he had charge of the Singe
. Sewing Machine company's bushes
- in this eection and had IN office o
: the corner next 10 The gas offic'
He was son of Dutch" Fran
8 Smith, an old staSe and tie worke
known to all our older citizens. fh
!. homicide will probably be tried dul
! Ing the term Of the Martin circu
Court which begins next Monday.
/. 70 - n. r IT. Ms.-le