FROM THE QUANAH TRIBUNE CHIEF, 13 AUG. 1908
DOUBLE TRAGEDY
Two young farmers meet on the streets of Chillicothe, Tx., have a duel unto death.
They were brothers-in-law and had a deep-seated grudge which terminated in a horrible manner.
A double killing, the worst that ever happened in this country, took place at Chillicothe yesterday evening at five o’clock, in which two young Wilbarger County farmers lost their lives.
An eye-witness tells us the following:
Joe Smith, a quarter-breed Indian and ex-school teacher, had married the sister of Tom Robbins and the three young people were living together on the former’s farm, three miles East of Chillicothe. Joe was a little man, well thought of by his neighbors, while his brother-in-law was single and a big, strapping fellow, a cousin to Jno. W. Robbins the ex- State treasurer. The two raised a crop together and had a falling-out afterwards. They did not speak to each other, though Robbins continued living at the other’s house.
Yesterday evening Smith, his wife and little baby drove to Chillicothe to meet a relative, who was to come in on the train, while Robbins came to town afterwards. Our informant says he saw a little man lean against a post in front of a Drug Store, when a big, burly fellow came forward and without warning hit him a terrible blow with his fist. Both men drew their knives and Smith’s soon found it’s way to the other’s heart, while he himself was mortally wounded by a knife thrust in the back. Robbins die instantly. While Smith lingered about twenty minutes.
The tragedy was over in a few seconds and the grief of Mrs. Smith, who had been in the Drug Store, was one of the saddest things imaginable to witness.
Sheriff Walker, who had left town a few minutes before was notified upon his arrival at Quanah of what had happened and returned on the next train.
The Woodmen of the World took charge of the body of Smith and it was shipped back to his old home in Anderson County this morning.
Compiled by Jon Harris, great-nephew of Smith
Corrections:
Smith’s name was Ernest Edwin (not sure where the Joe came from) and was not thought to have Indian blood; his body was brought back to HENDERSON COUNTY where he was buried in New Hope Community Cemetery beside two infant children. He was the son of Phelps and Sarah Jane Brownlow Smith.
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