1884 The Oxford Eagle

Dock Bishop Letter
Dock Bishop Timeline

January 24, 1884

A Bloody Affray
 
A bloody tragedy occurred at Dallas in this county on Wednesday evening the 16th inst., which resulted in the death of two good citizens and the probable mortally wounding of another.
 
From a reliable gentleman we gather the following particulars of this deplorable tragedy: Doc Bishop had a difficulty a few weeks before, with Ab Cearly and had shot him but not fatally. On Wednesday, Doc Bishop, accompanied by James Bishop and Robert Lamar, came into Dallas and met Ab Cearly at Latham’s store. Doc Bishop and Ab Cearly made friends and shook hands. After some Conversation, the two Bishops and Lamar, went outside of the store and commenced firing off their pistols, apparently in fun.
 
During this firing, Lamar shot Ab Cearly in the leg and then he and the two Bishops went to their horses with a view, it is supposed, of leaving. Before they were ready to mount they learned that Ab Cearly was not dead as they supposed, and they started back to the store. On their way they were met by William and Evans Harmon, who tried to persuade them from going back to the store and renewing their difficulty with Cearly. This enraged them and they commenced cursing the Harmons and finally opened fire on them.
 
Both of the Harmons were mortally wounded; Evans Harmon died in about two hours, and William Harmon about twenty-four after the shooting. Evans Harmon was totally unarmed and his brother, William, only had a small sized pistol. Alexander Harrison, who had nothing to do with the difficulty was shot in the head by one of the Bishops it is said, and is thought that he will die. Lamar was shot in the head but is only slightly wounded. The two Bishops were not obviously injured. The Bishops and Lamar have fled and all efforts thus far to arrest them have been unsuccessful. It is supposed that they have left the state.
 
The two Harmons who lost their lives in offering to avert a difficulty, were peaceable men and good citizens. They each leave a wife and two children to mourn their untimely death. Mr. Harrison who is supposed to be fatally wounded, is a valuable citizen and a useful man.

1884 W. T. Wise ~ Newspaper Articles

Submitted by Rose Diamond

Fort Worth Daily Gazette - Wednesday, October 8, 1884

MURDERED

City Marshal W.M. Rea received the following telegram yesterday in reference to W.T. Wise, a deputy city marshal of this city, who was killed near Oxford Mississippi, on the 2nd inst.:

OXFORD Miss., Oct. 7 - W.M. Rea, Marshal, Fort Worth

W.T. Wise was killed October 2. His body was found October 3. He was buried at Serepta on the 4th. Don't know particulars, but it is supposed he was murdered for his money. Two parties arrested, but were turned loose for want of proof. Come at once.

P.E. Matthews, Sheriff

Mr. Rea will leave for Mississippi this morning.

It is thought here that Wise was murdered by two men for whom he had a requisition, and who were wanted in Texas on the charge of murder.
 
Galveston Daily News
Wednesday, October 8, 1884

Killing of Deputy Marshal Wise

In The News several days ago is was stated that W.T. Wise, a deputy marshal of this city, had been killed near Oxford, Miss. This morning, City Marshal Rea received the following telegram from that Place:

Oxford Mississippi, Oct 7, 1884 - W.M. Rea City Marshal, Fort Worth; 
 
W.T. Wise was killed October 2. His body was found on the 3rd and buried at Serepta on the 4th. Don't know particulars, but he is supposed to have been murdered for his money. Two parties were arrested, but turned loose for want of proof. Come at once.

P.E. Matthews, Sheriff
 
Wise was on the track of two men wanted in Texas for murder, and it is thought here that they are the parties who killed him. City Marshal Rea leaves for Mississippi in the morning.