The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-07-16
. emi1h-ehfrIey Fena.

....... enith-ehirley Feud.
 Capitol onaciais became interested In
 the Smith Shirley feud when the Shir-
 leys presented to the State Board of
 Pardons [ month ago petitions begging
 for gubernatoriAi clemency for lhs-two
 convfcts of Monroe county.
 the effect that Mrs. James smith, wid-
 ow of the deceased. was under the domi- nation of the Smith brothers Dr. R..
 s.. Smith. and David F. smith. to such an extent that they had forced h+i te testify against then,. although sister of the prisoners.
 Two days in June were devoted to q hearing of the case, special session being called for this week. At tnts last hearing both of the Smith broth- CTS were present. as woli as Mrs. Smith. sister of the. shirisys. The lat ter was defended by Col c. R. Bricken, of Luverne, while the 5hir'ess claims were advanced by Senator Bayies and Attorneys HYbart and Conner.
 Rumors at the Capitol after the hear ing of Tuesday were to the effect that the cross examination of witnesses was heated throughout. and Senator BayIes was merciless in nts examina- tion. It is understood thas Senator BayIes was himself called to the stand and that he divuiGed conversations which were supp9se-i to have been had between him and D. k. smith, and that a repetition of these converse : tons was the d;sect cause of the ani- mostly between the two participants in the tragedy. It sesms that these conversations related an illicit rela- tionship.
 No one who me- and taikei with the feudists while they were IF the c,ty alleges any bad blood between the counselor and .he farmer. though 1t has been generally accepted that bad blood did exist.
 Colonel Bricken, counsel tor the Smiths. said yesterday that tEe testi- mony of Bayles was not at ali accept- able to Smith. who thought that psi- sonai matter was being made cf inc
 nayles Popular Here.
 oficials at the Capitol who have been Keeping up with the heavtng before the Board of Pardoas yesterday expressed great sorrow when the death of seL- ator Bayies was announced. The young | legislator was well liked ct the capi- l tol and was popular in all of the of- Aces. He was well known In Mont
 rhe killing in. Monroeviiie is ex- pected to put e stop to one of the most bitter feuds that eyer came to light in Alabama. Six months prior to the | kflling of James smith at the hands | as ts alleged, of Jesae and Isaac ahir- l ley, David K. Smith, slayer of BeyleA killed pr. shirley, one of the brothers of the prisoners new serving twenty sears each on charaSsse of assault with l Intent to murder. Guilt was admitted ana the triAl Fsshited ii ffssdom of the ! desendant
 Tt is understood that James smith was the only witness to this killing. and that because of it--in all proba- biiity--zkhe Shirieys felt themselves agsrieved in hts presence to such an extent that he was attacked by them. receiving injuries from which he died one year and four days later. Other reports have it, however. that the nor tai wound was not from the gun of a | Shirley. &
 when Tuesdays nearing before the Board of Pardons came to close, a zine die adjournrnent was taken. It is not known now whether or not the board will continue It's investigations.