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Obituaries 1898
| Stuart, R. B. (Bob) |
Last Sunday
morning the 13th inst about 8 or between 8 and 9 o'clock the
quiet town of Tulia was thrown into excitement and deep regret
over the news that Sheriff Britain had killed Bob Stuart at the
White Hotel. To say the least, this was a very sad affair, and
deeply regretted by friends of both parties, as both
participants of the homicide were well known. Mr. Stuart is a
stockman and resided near Tulia, and Mr. Britain is the Sheriff
of Swisher county. The circumstances leading up to the killing
as best the News could find out from friends of both parties are
as follows: Saturday Mr. Stuart came to town on business and
after drinking heavily was very boistrous, and when friends and
the sheriff interceded and requested him to not act in that
manner he became enraged and cursed, abused and assaulted the
sheriff as well as some of his friends. Finally some of his
friends got him to bed at the White Hotel, where he stayed
Saturday night. Sunday morning Mr. Britain came down as usual to
attend to his prisoner at the jail and walked in the office of
the White Hotel and asked some parties if Bob got off home all
right the night before. After being informed by them that Bob
was still in his room upstairs, Britain then asked how Bob was
feeling after his drunk. Being informed that he was sick during
the night, Britain went upstairs and said, "Hello, Bob, how do
you feel this morning?" and Bob immediately threw the cover back
and raised up and began to abuse and started toward Britain,
when Britain said, "Bob, you stop." Bob replied, "I would like
to, you D...... ", and reached his right hand for his right
pocket, and Britain immediately fired, killing Stuart instantly.
Stuart had slept with all his clothes on except his boots and
socks. After the shooting, it was found that Stuart was
hit three times. Britain immediately after the killing
went home where he was arrested later in the evening by
constable J. A. Scott.
Monday morning Atty. Snuffer waived a preliminary hearing, and
his bond was fixed by Esq. Clayton at $5,000, which he readily
gave. Justice Clayton held the inquest Sunday, and no one but
the witnesses and attorney were present, the evidence
developed is not given. Mr. Stuart was buried Monday at 2
p.m. Rev. Wright conducted the funeral services, and a large
circle of friends followed to its last resting place all that is
mortal of Robert Stuart. We extend sympathy to the many
friends and relatives of both parties in this very sad affair.
Tulia, Texas, 13 March 1898 |
Special thanks
to Zoe Smith for her many
contributions and to Elaine Stone
for her many submissions. Ladies, without you, this page
would be blank.
Swisher
County Obituary Index
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