Squire John Ross lost his life in 1854 during the "Smithville Tragedy." He was stabbed to death while trying to help John W. Douglass and his father, William Ross. The article that was published in the Liberty Tribune on August 7, 1854 and also later published in the New York Times on August 24, 1854 states the that Samuel Shackelford shot William Ross twice and then turned and shot Mr. Douglass twice and then shot Mr. Imhoff twice. It goes on to say that Mr. Douglass was armed with a bowie knife and pistol and that he attempted to defend himself, but Shackelford was able to seize his gun and knife. Shackelford then "commenced the work of destruction on Douglass, inflicting several wounds, of which Douglass fell dead. ....Persons then interfered to stop the effusion of blood. Samuel Shackelford stabbed every person whom he suspected as his enemy, inflicting a mortal wound on S. J. Ross." Squire John Ross was 21 years old when he died.
Squire John Ross lost his life in 1854 during the "Smithville Tragedy." He was stabbed to death while trying to help John W. Douglass and his father, William Ross. The article that was published in the Liberty Tribune on August 7, 1854 and also later published in the New York Times on August 24, 1854 states the that Samuel Shackelford shot William Ross twice and then turned and shot Mr. Douglass twice and then shot Mr. Imhoff twice. It goes on to say that Mr. Douglass was armed with a bowie knife and pistol and that he attempted to defend himself, but Shackelford was able to seize his gun and knife. Shackelford then "commenced the work of destruction on Douglass, inflicting several wounds, of which Douglass fell dead. ....Persons then interfered to stop the effusion of blood. Samuel Shackelford stabbed every person whom he suspected as his enemy, inflicting a mortal wound on S. J. Ross." Squire John Ross was 21 years old when he died.
Bio by: Kay Alpaugh
Gravesite Details
Squire John Ross lost his life in 1854 during the "Smithville Tragedy." He was stabbed to death while trying to help John W. Douglass and his father, William Ross. The article that was published in the Liberty Tribune on August 7, 1854 and also late
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