From the "Birmingham Age-Herald", Sunday, November 5, 1893: THROUGH THE TEMPLE - R. H. HUGHES SHOOTS AND INSTANTLY KILLS JOHN H SMITH - A QUARREL OVER A WAGON BRINGS A WELL-KNOWN SPRINGVILLE MAN TO HIS DEATH - HIS MOTHER IS PROSTRATED. Springville, Nov. 4 - (Special) - Our usually quiet town was the scene of a great tragedy this afternoon. R. H. HUGHES shot and killed JOHN H SMITH. It seems that the parties had a difficulty yesterday over a wagon. SMITH told HUGHES that he intended to kill him. This afternoon, about 1:30 o'clock, SMITH went into Perkins' store and got a double-barrelled shotgun, loaded with buckshot shells. He went through the store, and when he got to the door he threw up the gun to his face with an oath and told HUGHES that he had him. HUGHES pulled a 44 Smith & Wesson revolver from under his coat lying on his wagon. Holding his mules with one hand, he shot SMITH in the center of the forehead. SMITH fell in the doorway and expired in a few minutes. HUGHES fired two more shots, which struck the pavement. HUGHES was released upon a preliminary trail. Both were respected citizens in this community. MRS. H. L. SMITH, mother of the dead man, was in this city at the time of the above tragedy, visiting her sister, MRS. DALLAS, on Avenue E. She received the following brief telegram, which bore to her the sad news of the death of her son: "HUGHES shot and killed JOHN SMITH. Come home. A. R. McLENDON" The news so shocked her that she was prostrated. She left for home last night with her nephew, MR. ALEX DALLAS.
The DEATH RECORD of JOHN H SMITH states that he died on Nov 1, 1893 in Beat 4, St. Clair Co., Alabama at the age of 37; he was a farmer and was buried in the Springville Cemetery.