J.D. MURREL AND R.W. DAVIS SHOOTING

Crowley Signal December 17, 1904

A shooting affray took place at Church Point Tuesday between J.D. Murrell, mayor of the town, and R.W. Davis, ex-marshal. The shooting took place about 8 oclock in the morning in front of the residences of the parties.

The trouble that resulted in the shooting is said to have originated the night before and its nature has not been made public. Tuesday morning Mr. Murrel walked out on the gallery of his house and a few minutes later Davis, whose residence adjoins that of Murrel, appeared on his gallery with a shotgun in his hand. He is said to have remarked: I am going to settle with you now, and raised the gun and fired at Murrel. Murrel jumped back into his house, but not before a part of the charge of shot had taken effect. He was hit on the head but the wound was slight.

Murrel seized his own shotgun, rushed out on the gallery and fired two shots at Davis, who was still standing in front of the house. Both shots took effect, one in Davis left leg and the other in his right side. The wounds are serious but not fatal. Davis brother, James, and his six year old child, who had run out on the gallery when the first shot was fired, were also hit, one shot passing through the childs body. None of the injuries are thought to be dangerous, that inflicted on the child being most serious.

Mr. Murrel came to Crowley Tuesday afternoon and surrendered himself to the authorities. He will be given preliminary hearing as soon as the witnesses are able to appear in court.

The affair caused quite a sensation in the north part of the parish, owing to the prominence of the parties. Mr. Murrel is serving his second term as mayor of Church Point, while Mr. Davis was for a number of years marshal of the town. While it is publicly asserted that the trouble started the night before, it is generally believed by parties who claim to be posted that the real trouble is of longer standing. Last spring during the political campaign both parties were on the municipal ticket and were opposing each other. Davis, who was a candidate for re-election as city marshal, was defeated, partly, it is claimed, through the efforts of Murrel. The trouble between the two is said to have been brewing ever since.

Mr. Murrel was seen by a Signal representative at the parish jail this morning but declined to make any statement as to the cause of the trouble, saying it originated the night before over a trivial affair. Mr. Murrel says he acted wholly in self defense and that he did not shoot until he was attacked. He deplores the affair but cannot see how he could have avoided it. He is a young man of pleasing appearance and bears an excellent reputation in the neighborhood of Church Point. He is a brother of Sheriff Murrel of this parish. His statement of the affair is practically as given above.

Mr. Davis also bears a good reputation not only in Church Point but all over the parish. During his service as marshal of the town he was known s a good and fearless officer. Mr. Davis was unable to come to Crowley on account of his wounds and no statement could be obtained from him. So far as it is known there were no eyewitnesses to the affair except the members of the two families.