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Submitted: 5/8/12 • Approved: 5/9/12 • Last Updated: 9/23/12 • R690587-G0-S3
July 25, 1867 - June 30, 1907
*Obituary (as written)
The Springdale News
Friday, July 5, 1907
LITTRELL, James - In an altercation early Saturday morning in Stokes' livery barn between Hugh Daugherty and James Littrell, the latter received a knife wound in the lower left side of the abdomen from which he died Sunday night shortly after nine o'clock. The trouble was caused by Daugherty accusing Littrell of singing indecent songs in the presence of the former's daughter. Daugherty and his daughter live on the Stokes farm south of town and for a day or two previous to the trouble Littrell and others had been employed on the place cutting oats, at which time the offense was supposed to have been committed. Daugherty came in Friday from a trip as driver for a traveling man when his daughter is presumed to have made the charges against Littrell. Daugherty went to the livery barn early Saturday morning where Littrell and others were gathering to go to the farm to continue their labors. Eye witnesses say that Daugherty began cursing and abusing Littrell, saying he intended having him arrested for insulting his daughter. Littrell denied emphatically that he had done anything to cause any one offense and was apparently in the best of humor, jokingly telling him he would have to spoil his (Littrell's) face now and plunged the knife into Littrell's abdomen. Littrell then attacked Daugherty, kicking him and chasing him into the office of the livery barn. Daugherty had inflicted another knife wound on Littrell, on the lower left side of the neck near the collar bone. The attack on Littrell appears to have been entirely unexpected by that gentleman and also by the bystanders. Littrell had no weapon of any kind and Daugherty was uninjured. After the pair had been separated Littrell was conveyed to his home and was given medical attention. He was apparently getting along as well as could be expected until Sunday afternoon when the abdomen began swelling and the physicians then realized that the end was near. Everything possible was done for the stricken man but he expired shortly after nine o'clock Sunday night. At the request of the family of the deceased Dr. Sparkman, the attending physician, assisted by other local physicians, made a post-mortem examination when it was found that the knife had penetrated the intestine in two places. The remains of Mr. Littrell were interred in Bluff Cemetery Monday afternoon, services being conducted by Rev. J.A. Smith, pastor of the Baptist church. Deceased was 41 years of age and was born in Carroll County, near Marble. October 22, 1886, he was united in marriage to Miss Mollie Todd, also of Carroll county, and to them were born six children, four of whom are now living. The aged parents of the deceased are also living, making their home a short distance southwest of town. Mr. Littrell and family had been residing in this locality for some five or six years past and for the past few months have been making their home on the Dr. Smith farm just west of town. Deceased was an industrious, peaceable and law abiding citizen and since his residence here his conduct has been such as to win the friendship of all who knew him. So far as known he had never been involved in difficulties of any kind and the opinion is freely expressed that he would not be guilty of such an offense as Daugherty charged him with. The sad affair is deplored by all and much sympathy is expressed for the stricken family. Mrs. Littrell requests The News to express the thanks of herself and children to the good people of the community who have sought in many ways to lighten their burden. Immediately after the fray Saturday morning Daugherty was placed under arrest by Marshal Jack Graham. He was taken to Fayetteville and turned over to Sheriff Philips, who took him to Van Buren Saturday night and placed him in jail at that place, the Washington county jail not being in condition for use on account of repairs being made on same. Daugherty's preliminary trial is set for Friday before 'Squire Graves of this place. Daugherty has resided in Northwest Arkansas, Southwest Missouri and the Indian Territory for many years but does not stay in one place long at a time. He has been making his home on the Stokes place since last spring. Living with him was his daughter, he and his wife having separated a few years ago. Daugherty bears an unenviable reputation wherever he is known and has been involved in a number of shooting scrapes prior to this one.
Contributed on 5/8/12 by judyfrog
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Record #: 690587