Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Picture Matt Dillon, exiting his office with guns a-blazing as he tracks down another ruthless villain on the dusty streets of Dodge City. That gives you a sense of what is was like in the first week of November in 1902, in the city of Madison.
Deputy Sheriff Mike Bass had been having words with another well-known citizen, Lamar Selph. The two were first seen arguing at a gypsy camp near the city. The following day, the gentlemen got into another scuffle and indulged in a few blows before local passersby separated them. Bass proceeded into the Madison County Court House to attend to some business, and Selph went in the other direction.
As Bass entered the court house yard, Selph, who was positioned across the street, opened fire on him. Bass quickly began returning fire. Amazingly, no one was seriously injured during the fireworks. One plate glass window was broken, and Mr. Knox Bunting was struck by a stray bullet, but was not injured. Bunting kept the wayward slug as a souvenir. Both Bass and Selph were arrested for their reckless behavior.
Just a few days prior to the shooting, Madison residents were shocked and saddened by the unfortunate passing of Miss Clyde Raney, wife of ex-judge George P. Raney. Mrs. Raney was home alone when she began descending her stairs in the evening. Raney was holding an oil lamp to help light her way when she stumbled and fell down the stairs. During the fall, the lamp broke, causing her clothing to catch fire and she was burned to death before the neighbors could answer her harrowing cries for help. The Raneys had been married for less than a year.