Grayson County TXGenWeb

One of my favorites is the marker for Beverly M. Steele, who was born in 1857 and died in 1882. On the side of the stone is carved "Assassinated by John W. Green." Several years ago a local funeral home located a burial book dating back to 1881 and found additional information about Steele. He also was known as Beverly Steele and was 21 years old when he was shot by a pistol in the hand of Green. Steele was from Missouri and his assassination was noted in the book. Dr. Alex W. Acheson, popular Denison doctor of that day, was the attending physician. Two lines down, Dr. Washington was listed. He died the next year in 1882 of heart disease, according to the book. - - - Donna Hunt, Herald Democrat, 30 March 2010

The Dallas (TX) Weekly Herald
Thursday, August 3, 1882
pg. 5

Denison
Special to the Herald
Denison, August 1 - A difficulty occurred yesterday between John Greene and his step-son, Beverly Steele, which culminated in a shooting affray. Steele received a wound, the ball passing through the summit of the right lung. Greene was shot through, the ball grazing the right kidney, and coming out at the lower end of the breast bone. The trouble arose out of some family matters. The wounds are very serious and both parties will probably die.

The Galveston (TX) Daily News
Saturday, August 12, 1882
pg. 1

News came from Denton county of a tragedy enacted near the Dallas and Denton county lines yesterday. Green and Steele are the names of the parties to the feud. The latter is a stepson of the former. It appears that the matter grew out of the marriage of Green and Steele's mother, which was bitterly opposed by the Steele brothers, 3 in number, who live apart from the objectionable stepfather. Yesterday morning the elder of the Steeles visited the Green's house, when a quarrel was soon raised, which progressed so rapidly that within 5 minutes after Steel entered the door he came out with Greene following, and shooting at him with a revolver. One of the first shots took effect in the left shoulder, ranging downward, severing an artery. Steele, then drawing a pistol, wheeled and began to fire on Green, who in turn ran. Just as he was entering the door, he received a bullet in the small of the back, which went through him, coming out in front. Both men fell from loss of blood, and were carried to their respective homes, and doctors were sent for, who say both men are mortally wounded. After this one of the younger Steele, arming himself, went over to the Green's residence, and was met by a brother of the wounded stepfather. The shooting was renewed by them, it resulting in the wounding of the youngest Green, who it is reported, died from the effects of his wound last night. It is not believed the affair is yet at an end. Green has another brother, who is said to be a desperate man when aroused, and the surviving Steele, who is absent in the west, is also a shooting character, and it is believed that they will renew the fight.
NOTE: The shooting occurred July 31, 1882. The story appeared in a Dallas paper on August 2 and was reprinted here August 12.)