ARKANSAS-L Archives

From: "Fran Warren" <>
Subject: [ARKANSAS] Van Buren Press (Crawford County) January 5, 1889
Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 08:10:53 -0800

January 5, 1889

BROTHERS IN LAW FIGHT A DUEL

Parties from Craighead County bring particulars of a shocking tragedy near
Marked Tree. Some time ago the wife of William West, who is a desperate
character left him and returned to the home of her mother, Mrs. Mary Dairey,
and announce her intention of getting a divorce. West called to see his
wife, but she would not receive him, and his mother in law, Mrs. Dairey,
went out on the porch, carrying the year-old child of the couple. West began
to upbraid her, saying she had caused the trouble between his wife and
himself. Stephen Dairey, aged about 40 years, was attracted to the porch by
the dispute, and ordered West to leave the premises. West responded by
drawing a six-shooter and firing twice, one ball passing through Mrs.
Dairey's hand and the other striking Stephen Dairey in the face. Dairey got
a repeating rifle and returning to the porch, leveled it at West who faced
him with his revolver poised in the air. The men fired twice in rapid
succession. West was shot through the heart adn died in a few minutes. Dairy
was struck in the right eye, the ball ranging upward to the brain.He lived
several hours. Mrs. Dairey's wound is not fatal.

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• [ARKANSAS] Van Buren Press (Crawford County) January 5, 1889 by "Fran Warren" <>