The Denison Press
Saturday, October 30, 1937
pg. 1
Assault Charge May be Filed Against Negro
Barber Shop Operator's condition Improved Following Shooting Over $4 Debt

Charges of assault to murder were to be filed by county officers today against Veatrice 'Duke' Smith, pending the outcome of the condition of Clinton Woodson, shot in the arm and right side by Smith over a $4 debt in the Negro section of Denison early Friday afternoon.
Woodson, with an arm that may have to be amputated and a torn side from shotgun pellets fired at close range, is in the Negro hospital where physicians said his condition is critical. It was unknown whether the mangled arm would have to be amputated or not, city police said.
Smith is said to have sold Woodson a trunk for $8, half of which had been paid. Some misunderstanding arose over the final payment and the shooting, with a home made gun, resulted.
Following the near-fatal attack, Smith started walking toward Oklahoma and had reached a point half mile from the bridge when he was picked up by assistant chief of police Paul Borum and patrolman Clarence Faeke.
Smith was turned over to county officials for prosecution.
Police said they had had Smith in jail several times for drunkenness but that he seemed a model prisoner. They said he was not intoxicated at the time of the shooting.

The Denison Press
Monday, November 1, 1937
pg. 4

A preliminary hearing for Veatrice "Duke" Smith, Denison Negro, on an assault to murder charge, will be held before Judge M.M. Scholl Monday afternoon.  Smith shot Clinton Woodson in the arm and right side Friday morning in Woodson's barber shop.

The Denison Press
Tuesday, November 2, 1937
pg. 2

DUKE SMITH IS RELEASED, MAKES THOUSAND BOND
Veatrice "Duke" Smith, Denison Negro, charged with assault to murder in connection with a shotgun attack on Clinton Woodson, was placed under a $1,000 bond late Monday afternoon in a preliminary hearing before Justice
of the Peace, M.M. Scholl.
Smith shot Woodson in the right arm and side during an exchange of words at Woodson's barber shop last Friday morning.  Woodson's condition is reported improved today.
Smith was released after he made the $1,000 bond.

The Denison Press
Wednesday, February 2, 1938
pg. 3

Criminal Setting
Tuesday, Feb. 8. - . . . Veatrice 'Duke' Smith, assault to murder.


The Denison Press
Wednesday, February 2, 1938
pg. 3

COURTS
Veatrice 'Duke' Smith, assault to murder, plea of guilty, two years in the state penitentiary. Smith, a Denison Negro, was charge with shooting Clint Woodson of Denison in the arm, Oct. 29 so that the arm had to be amputated.