Posted on: Bradford County Biographies Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Fl/BradfordBios/8 Surname: Gainey, Mashburn, Walker, Long, Maddox ------------------------- BRADFORD COUNTY TELEGRAPH - FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER 1917 WILLIAM GAINEY RECEIVES FATAL WOUND IN FIGHT Trouble Started by Disagreement Arising Over Settlement of Rents William GAINEY, a former citizen of this place, was shot and fatally wounded by Tom MARSHBURN at Bronson last Thursday. After the shooting GAINEY was taken to Gainesville for treatment, but succumbed to the wound on Tuesday. His body was brought to Starke Tuesday afternoon and interment made in Crosby Lake Cemetery. The following account of the shooting was sent to the Times-Union by its Bronson correspondent: Bronson, Dec. 14 - William GAINEY formerly of Starke, but who farmed with M. T. MARSHBURN, of this place the present year, was shot, it is alleged and doubtless fatally wounded by MARSHBURN'S 16 year-old son, Tom. The tragedy occurred at 9 o'clock yesterday morning at the home occupied by the GAINEY and family. The trouble which terminated in the tragedy came up over settlement of rents, GAINEY claiming he was unfairly treated by those owning the farm. The row was at first between MARSHBURN and GAINEY, the boy, it is said, later firing the fatal shots, claiming in defense of his father. GAINEY since his residence in Bronson has been peaceable and law-abiding and his probable untimely death is deplored by the entire community. He had a devoted wife and three small children who are receiving every comfort and succor in their trouble. Both the MARSHBURNS are lodged in the Levy County jail awaiting full investigation of the affair. MARSHBURN is one of the wealthiest citizens of the county owns thousands of acres of property but despite this he was unable to secure leniency from Sheriff E. WALKER and so far no bond has been allowed. BRADFORD COUNTY TELEGRAPH - FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER 1917 MARSHBURNS CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER Testimony Conflicted, But Did Not Seem To Support Murder Charge State Attorney A. V. LONG went ot Otter Creek, Levy County, Monday to represent the state at the preliminary hearing of Col. Thomas MARSHBURN and his son, Tom, charge with killing William GAINEY, a former citizen of Starke. The testimony of Mrs. GAINEY and the MARSHBURNS conflicted on the point of who fired the first shots in the altercation that proved fatal to GAINEY, but the circumstances did not seem to support the charge of murder and the committing magistrate fixed the bond of the defendants at $1,000 each. The Archer correspondent of the Gainesville Sun gives the following version of the tradgedy: Archer, Fla., Dec. 22 - Mrs. H. MADDOX returned last night from Bronson, where she went to visit her cousins, Col. Tom MARSHBURN and his son, Tom, Jr., who are confined in the Levy county jail, both charged with the killing of William GAINEY at MARSHBURN'S farm in Bronson last Thursday morning and Mrs. MADDOX reports an entirely different accounty of the affair. Mrs. MADDOX and Hon. FINAYSON are both confident that at this trail both the accused will be fully exonerated. The unfortunate affair occurred at MARSHBURN'S farm early on the morning of the 13th. GAINEY was a half-cropper for MARSHBURN, and lived on the place, but MARSHBURN reserved one room in the house for his own use. The crop had been amicably divided some time ago, and the quarrel began when GAINEY wanted to rent the farm for the coming year for less money than MARSHBURN would agree to. This quarrel took place in the house by the fire, and after heated words from both parties, GAINEY drew his pistol from his pocket, and MARSHBURN picked up a gun that was standing in a corner of the room. Both men decided not to shoot, the quarrel was settled, and MARSHBURN put his gun back in its corner of the room. An hour or more later, GAINEY, his wife, MARSHBURN and his 15-year-old son, Tom, Jr., all went out to the barnyard. There it was discovered that corn was missing from the barn in which MARSHBURN had his portion of the corn stored. GAINEY agreed that the corn was missing, but said he did not know what had become of saine. MARSHBURN told GAINEY that if he did not know what had become of the corn he should know, as he, GAINEY, was left in charge of the place. GAINEY seemed to think that MARSHBURN accused him of taking the corn, which was not MARSHBURN'S thoughts. This brought on a volley of oaths from both parties in which GAINEY drew his pistol from his pocket and snapped the gun in MARSHBURN'S breast. In the meantime Tom Jr., ran in the house and upstairs to get his father's pistol. When GAINEY tried to fire at MARSHBURN, being unarmed, turned and ran toward the house. GAINEY tried to fire again, but the pistol snapped and with pistol in hand he ran towards the house to enter the same room in which MARSHBURN was trying to make by a different door. In this room was the shot gun mentioned in the first quarrel. Tom, rushing down the hall to his father's assistance, met GAINEY coming with the pistol in hand. Several shots were fired, and it is alleged that GAINEY fired at the boy, the ball grazing at the boy's neck. The boy emptied his pistol at GAINEY, two or three shots taking effect. By this time MARSHBURN had gained the room and rushed on through to find that GAINEY had been fatally injured by his son. Col. MARSHBURN rushed Tom for a physician, while he stood by and rendered all assistance in his power to the injured man, until Judge WILLIS went to th efarm, Sheriff WALKER being out of town, and took the MARSHBURNS into custody.