Skip to main content

Brother Shoots Brother in Fatal Sunday Tragedy

Title

Brother Shoots Brother in Fatal Sunday Tragedy

Subject

The Law, Crime and Punishment

Description

A Friday, October 3, 1919 Florence Times report of the Sunday, September 28 shooting at St. John's Church on Middle Reserve Road at Colbert's Reserve in West Lauderdale County in which Forrest Rowell was fatally shot by his brother Rush Rowell, after Forrest would not lend Rush his buggy. Rush allegedly fired twice, striking his brother in the stomach and striking a glancing blow off the head of bystander Button Collier.

Forrest Rowell was taken to Florence for treatment however upon examination Dr. Jackson pronounced the wound fatal and he passed away two days' later at the home of an aunt on Alabama Street in Florence.

Rush Rowell was eventually apprehended, tried and convicted of 2nd degree murder. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He was paroled on March 25, 1923 and died Dec. 3, 1945

Forrest (ca.. 1888-1919) and Rush (ca. 1880-1945) Rowell were sons, two of at least 8 children of Frank Rowell (ca. 1847-1928) and Laura Roberson, farmers who lived on Spring St. in Florence. Both brothers were married, Forrest to Zonia Smith (1890-), Rush to Jessie Weems (ca. 1899-1965).

Forrest and Zonia Rowell lived on Gunwaleford Road in West Florence.

Source

1. Florence Times

2. Lauderdale County Circuit Court Indictment Record "5," September, 1916-March, 1922.,

3. Alabama, U.S., Convict Records, 1886-1952

4. Forrest Rowell's Alabama Death Certificate from Familysearch.org.

5. Frank and Laura Rowell's 1900 Lauderdale County, Alabama census enumeration, p. 289 A.

6. Forrest and Zonia Rowell's 1910 Lauderdale County, Alabama census enumeration, p 11 A.

Publisher

1. Bell & Howell Micro Photo

2. Lauderdale County, Alabama Circuit Court.

3. Ancestry.com Library Edition.

4. Familysearch.org

5. Ancestry.com Library Edition.

6. Ancestry.com Library Edition.

Date

Contributor

Lee Freeman

Rights

Images are available for educational and research purposes. This image may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the express written consent of the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the interested party to identify the copyright holder and receive permission.

Format

Jpeg

Language

English

Type

Still Images

Files

Brother Shoots Brother FT Fri Oct 3 1919 p 1.jpg

Rush Rowell Indictment for Murder.jpg

Rush Rowell's Prison Record from in the Alabama, U.S., Convict Records, 1886-1952.jpg

Forrest Rowell's 1919 AL Death Cert.jpg

Frank and Laura Rowell's 1900 Laud Co AL Census Enum p 289 A.jpg

Forrest Rowell's 1910 Census Enumeration, p 11 A..jpg

Collection

The Law, Crime and Punishment

Citation

“Brother Shoots Brother in Fatal Sunday Tragedy,” Shoals Black History, accessed May 3, 2024, https://shoalsblackhistory.omeka.net/items/show/1255.

Output Formats