Dr. Overton Moore

Dr. Overton Moore, of Helena, Killed
We take the following account of the killing of Dr. Overton Moore, in Helena Thursday, from the columns of the Memphis Commercial:
Dr. Overton Moore was shot and instantly killed this evening by Dr. C. R. Shinault. Both of the parties to the tragedy are young and well-known physicians of this city, and so far as can be ascertained, had not had any previous difficulty. Dr. Shinault gave himself up to the sheriff and Dr. Moore’s body has been removed to the residence of his father, John P. Moore.
The difficulty occurred as follows, so say numerous witnesses: Capt. Dan Peck, a well-known builder, had his leg broken this afternoon, and sent in a hurry for Dr. Moore, who could not be found. The messenger did find Dr. Shinault however and the latter went to Capt. Peck’s residence and was at work setting the broken leg when Dr. Moore arrived.
Ascertaining that Shinault was there Moore sent for him, and the two engaged in a heated colloquy at the front door, which ended in Dr. Shinault shooting Moore through the head. Shinault and his friends claim that the shooting was done in self defense. Dr. Shinault came to this city (Helena) from Mississippi about a year ago, and has built up a remunerative practice. The dead man was born and reared in the city and was a skillful surgeon and physician. He was the eldest son of John P. Moore, one of the oldest, wealthiest and most respected citizens of this county.

Dr. Shinault, who killed Dr. Overton Moore in Helena last week was acquitted on the plea of self defense before Justice Hanly of that place on last Wednesday. From the testimony, we judge it to be a righteous verdict.

Echo of a Tragedy: Miss Robinson’s Suit for Dr. Moore’s Insurance
A law suit, interwoven with considerable romance was heard in the United States Circuit Court yesterday by Judge Priest. Minnie Robinson, of Helena, Ark., is the plaintiff. She asks for a judgment of $5,000 against the United States Mutual Life Insurance Company. That is the amount of insurance Dr. Overton Moore of Helena, Ark., carried and she is the beneficiary named in the policy.
The doctor made Miss Robinson’s acquaintance while she was a teacher in the public schools there. The friendship ripened into love, and they became engaged. There was one obstacle to the marriage, however, and that was the fact that he had a wife living, from whom he had not been divorced.
Minnie told the court yesterday that she promised to marry Moore as soon as a divorce could be procured from his wife, and he gave her a ring as a token of their engagement. She relied upon that promise and believed that he would do as he said.
Dr. Moore, however, never obtained a divorce from his wife, for the reason probably that his unexpected and tragic death intervened. In February, 1893, he got into an altercation with a fellow physician and was killed. The homicide was highly sensational. Word was left at Moore’s office to come and set a broken limb. The doctor was out, and when he responded to the call he found another doctor performing the operation. After some talk Moore withdrew, but he called the doctor outdoors and a quarrel followed. Moore made a motion as though for his hip pocket and the other fellow shot him fatally.
After Moore’s death it transpired that he had made Miss Robinson the beneficiary in the policy instead of his two children, as originally written. The insurance company resisted payment on the ground, among other things, that Minnie Robinson had no insurable interest in Dr. Moore’s life, but Judge Priest overruled its demurrer in which this was argued.
Miss Robinson said yesterday that it was not until the October following Moore’s death that she learned that he had made her the beneficiary. She is now living in this city, and is a stenographer for a law firm.
Judge Priest took the matter under advisement. - St. Louis Republic.