Smith Davis Rowland (1849 - 1900)

Born 1849 in Winston, Mississippi, United States

Ancestors

Died 9 Jan 1900 at about age 51 in Oak Ridge, Warren, Mississippi, United States

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Biography

This profile is part of the Rowland Name Study.

Smith Davis Rowland was born in 1849. He was the son of George Rowland.

He passed away in 1900 and is buried in Hackler Cemetery, Warren County, Mississippi. ^[1]

From his Find A Grave: Memorial #22008930:

Times-Picayune, New Orleans, Jan. 11, 1900, Page 4

OAKRIDGE TRAGEDY

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Still the Sensation of the Hour in the City of Vicksburg

"Three Men Are Dead as the Result of a Trivial Affair - Cause of the Killing

"Vicksburg, Miss., Jan. 10 - the awful tragedy which occurred at Oakridge, this county, yesterday morning, is still the topic of conversation today, and deep sympathy for the families of all parties concerned is universally expressed. Three men are dead as a result of a most trivial affair, and their relatives and friends plunged into lifelong grief.

"The cause which led to the killing is said to be as follows: it appears that Dan Jackson, a colored man, and formerly a tenant on Dr. J.S. Austin's place, went to work some time ago on Mr. S.D. Rowland's place. The negro owed Dr. Austin (Find A Grave: Memorial #25635117) a small sum of money, and had agreed to return to his place and work during the year 1900. It seems that the doctor was in his buggy a short while since, and chanced to run across the negro Jackson. Dr. Austin told him of the agreement, and the negro replied in an insulting manner. Then Dr. Austin struck the negro with his buggy whip.

"The negro communicated his story to Mr. Rowland, and it is said he (Rowland) remarked that he would take the negro's part. Mr. Rowland seemed to think that Dr. Austin was trying to interfere with labor on his place. Dr. Austin avowed his intention to prosecute Jackson, and the trial was to have taken place yesterday morning before Justice Griffin, at Oakridge.

"The trial never took place, and it is more than probable that had Dr. Austin and Mr. Rowland known the true facts of the case, no trouble would have ensued and the terrible tragedy would have been averted.

"The shooting, which resulted in the killing of Dr. Otho Austin(Find A Grave: Memorial #25635291), Mr. S.D. Rowland (Find A Grave: Memorial #22008930), and Mr. Robert C. Stephenson (Find A Grave: Memorial #25635101), and the wounding of Mr. Reuben Rowland, occurred on the platform in front of Mr. Richard Grant's store at Oakridge. The following gentlemen were present at the shooting, besides the participants: Messrs. Richard Grant, Fred Childs, D.R. Hackler, Chas. L. Stephenson, Reuben Rowland, Justice B. D. Griffin and his deputy.

"It is said a number of negroes were at the store previous to the arrival of the white men, and fearing trouble, they left before the shooting began.

"Mr. S.D. Rowland came up, appearing friendly, and shook hands with those present, including young Dr. Otho Austin. It is said that Mr. Rowland then offered his to Dr. J.S. Austin, who refused to grasp it. This seeming insult must have angered Rowland, for he reached for his pistol and began to fire, whether it was intentional or not will never be known, but young Dr. Otho Austin received the first shot. The ball struck him in the breast just below the neck, and cut his necktie.

"Then Dr. J.S. Austin began to fire. Mr. Rowland received four wounds; one ball penetrated his heart, one entered just below the heart, one struck his right arm between his wrist and elbow, breaking his arm, and the other entered his left arm, making a flesh wound.

"Mr. Stephenson was shot in the side. After Dr. Otho Austin received his death wound, he fell back, his shoulder leaning against the wall of the store. He still held his pistol and continued to fire, staggering backward as he did so, and fell off the gallery dead.

"After Mr. Rowland had received his four wounds, two of which would have proved fatal, he crossed the road and went at least thirty yards, going behind Cummings' store. Mr. Rowland was followed by his son, Reuben, aged 23 years, who had received a flesh wound in his left shoulder.

"The pistols of all the combatants were now emptied.

"Dr. J.S. Austin, seeing Mr. Rowland and his son go behind the building, was apprehensive, and not knowing their real motives, or how severely the elder Rowland was injured, thought they intended to reload their revolvers. He then went to his home, secured a shotgun, and returned to the scene of the affray.

"On returning, Dr. Austin was met by Mr. Archie Rowland, another son of Mr. S.D. Rowland, aged about 18 years, who exclaimed, 'Oh, doctor, for God's sake don't kill my brother; my father is already dead.' Dr. Austin replied that he would not hurt a hair in his head.

"Upon examination, it was found that Mr. S.D. Rowland had died immediately after reaching the rear of the building.

"Mr. S. D. Rowland, during the encounter, fired six shots, Dr. J. S. Austin fired six, Mr. Reuben Rowland fired six and Dr. Otho Austin fired either four or five. Mr. Chas. L. Stephenson, brother of Mr. Bob Stephenson, who was killed in the affray, was present, but there is no proof that either of them fired a single shot.

"Mr. Richard Grant had a close call from one of the shots, as the ball grazed his hair.

"The shooting happened a little before 10 o'clock yesterday morning.

"The death of these three well-known and highly-respected citizens has cast a gloom over the entire county. Two of the gentlemen are men of families and the other a young man of brilliant attainments and bright future. The scenes at the homes of the deceased men were heartrending.

"Mr. Stephenson was a brother-in-law of Dr. J. S. Austin. The remains of Dr. Otho Austin and Mr. Bob Stephenson were brought to the home of Dr. J. S. Austin, and the remains of Mr. Rowland were taken in his late home. The funeral of Mr. Rowland took place this morning, at 10 o'clock, the remains being buried in the family cemetery.

"The funerals, of Dr. Austin and Mr. Stephenson took place this afternoon, the remains being buried in the Oakridge cemetery. Rev. Dr. Norton officiated at both funerals.

"Owing to the prominence of all the parties and the great sympathy felt, both funerals were largely attended, the deceased gentlemen numbering among their friends nearly the entire county."

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #22008930