With the organization of the Rosette Ward and his various other activities, son Will worked with James in the store and Post Office. James had rented his cattle and farm to William Cobia for a couple of years. This arrangement proved not too successful and trouble ensued. An account of the happenings follows in part taken from the Box Elder News.
January 23, 1913: "Mr. Morris had leased his place and his cattle to William Cobia of Rosette and Mr. Cobia had not been feeding the animals properly, although there was an abundance of hay. Morris remonstrated with Cobia and finally wrote a letter to the Sheriff asking for assistance from the Humane Society. This Cobia found out and became angered. Cobia was the mail carrier between Kelton and the Century Mine which included Ros­ette and Park Valley. There was a discussion of the matter on Tuesday morning as Cobia left the Rosette Post Office with the mail."
Upon his return to the Post Office in the evening, Bishop Kunzler, the father-in-law of Cobia, was at the store, sitting in his buggy, talking to James. "As Mr. Morris stepped out to receive the mail, Cobia told him he would shoot him at the same time whipping out a revolver." The fracas ended with a bullet wound in James' chest. Will, Mamie and their young son were in the store witnessing the proceedings. it happened too quickly to prevent. They took James to his home a short distance away then "he was rushed to Kelton by team, being made as comfortable as possible on a steel couch and from there a telegram was sent to this (Brigham) city for a physician." A telegram was sent also to Ogden for a special train to transport him.
James was taken to the Harding Henderson Hospital where he lived until 16 February. "Shortly after two o'clock Sunday morning Morris save up the struggle for life."
"Services were held Monday afternoon at four o'clock at the home of President Oleen N. Stohl, the room being filled with coworkers from the stake and friends who sympath­ized. President Stohl presided and seven stake officials paid tribute as also George Morris of Salt Lake, eldest brother of the deceased. All referred to the faithfulness of the deceased in performing the duties imposed upon him in an ecclesiastic way and bore testimony of his worth as a citizen."
Box Elder News - Thursday, 20 February, 1913
The body of James Newbery Morris was returned to Rosette for his funeral service. He was laid to rest in the Park Valley cemetery.