Clark County Clipper, January 21,
1886
Fatal Shooting.
A fatal shooting scrape occurred at the Star Bakery last night, which
resulted in the death of Charles H. Roby, one of our oldest settlers. It seems
Ed Foster, and Carrie Roberts had hired Charlie Roby to take them to Dodge City
today, the former being called back to Missouri by a telegram that his mother
was lying at the point of death, and Roberts was to return to his former home at
Winfield. After buying their passage tickets of Roby the three, accompanied by
Bob Lyons and Robert Mitchell, went to the Star Bakery about 12 o'clock, to have
an oyster stew, but Charlie Tague and John Glassock who were sleeping in the
store, refused to get up, so they went up to J. L. Wade's residence and had him
come down and fix their oysters. After eating, and we are sorry to have to add,
drinking considerable whiskey, Roberts stepped out on the walk and began firing
his revolver and Foster stood in the doorway and did likewise, with a 45
caliber, and in throwing it up to cock it, the revolver went off over his
shoulder and shot Roby through the bowels. He dropped down on a pallet and said
he was shot, and lived only about twenty-five minutes.
Dr. Workman and Taylor were summoned immediately, but could do nothing. The
coroner summoned a jury consisting of T. E. Berry, G. E. Gage, A. Hughes, N. J.
Walden, John Cooper and E. A. Fearing, who returned a verdict of manslaughter
and Foster was placed under arrest.
It is a repetition of the old, old story of whiskey and the reckless use of
firearms.
We hope to soon see our town incorporated and the firing of pistols on our
streets forever stopped and the lives and property of our citizens protected.
Submitted by ~Shirley Brier~ in September 27, 2005.
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