In previous posts Phil Ray, a descendant of Hiram Ray of Berrien County, has shared his research on the land deals and connections between the Ray and Bailey families that ultimately ended in death (see Burrell Hamilton Bailey Sells Out in 10th, The State vs Burrell Hamilton Bailey).
Here is the story of how Bradford Ray was gunned down by Burrell Hamilton Bailey on the streets of Alapaha, GA in 1873.
Bradford Ray was the son of Hiram Ray and the husband of Martha J. Swan. In 1872, Bradford’s father, Hiram swapped his place near Cat Creek with Berrien county farmer Burrell Hamilton Bailey for another farm in the 1307 Georgia Militia District, Lowndes County. When Hiram Ray moved his family to their new place, son Bradford Ray remained behind to work for Bailey as a tenant farmer. But in the summer of 1873 a dispute arose between Burrell Bailey and Bradford Ray over some family matter. On the 23 of June, 1873, while the two men were in the community of Alapaha, GA the argument turned violent; Bailey shot Ray in the stomach. Bradford Ray lingered with the wound for two weeks before it proved fatal. Burrell H. Bailey was indicted for murder.
Albany News, July 4, 1873. Burrell Hamilton Bailey shoots Bradford Ray.
Albany News
July 4, 1873Pistol Fighting at Allapaha.
ELEVEN SHOTS EXCHANGED
ONE MAN MORTALLY WOUNDED.Allapaha, Ga., July 1st, 1873.
Editors Albany News: – Quite a serious difficulty occurred at this place (Allapaha, Berrien county,) on Saturday, 21st June, between Bradford Ray and Bill Bailey. The following are the particulars:
Some two or three months ago, threats were passed between Ray and Baily, in regard to some family matters, which were carried into effect at this place, as the following will show:
The meeting of the parties here, I am informed, was a premeditated arrangement. – Soon after their arrival in town, Baily got considerably under the influence of liquor, and fuel was added to the already kindled flame – the long pent-up passions were soon to leap beyond their bounds. But through the influence of friends, they were kept apart. Baily, with pistol in hand, walked away, telling Ray (who was then making desperate efforts to follow him) not to follow him, if he did that he would hurt him. After Baily got away all became quiet, until about four o’clock in the evening, when the parties met again in front of Mr. Dormind’s store, where the fatal difficulty was renewed, with the addition of another party, James Brogden, who was very drunk. Had it not been for Brogden, I am confident that the affair would have passed off without the loss of life. He approached Ray with abusive language, which caused several blows to be passed between them. Seeing that Brogden, who was very drunk, was getting the worst of it, he was parted from Ray several times, but could not be controlled. While this was going on, words were passing between Ray and Baily, who were in ten feet of each other, and as they were about to get together, Daniel Turner came up and tried to quiet the fuss; but by this time the row became general. Ray had his knife drawn, and Baily his pistol. – Baily told Ray that “if he approached him, he would shoot him.” Daniel Turner spoke and said: (I did not learn what he said only from Baily after the fight was over) “If you shoot Ray I will shoot you!” As soon as these words were spoken, Baily fired at Ray – the ball entering the stomach – then turned upon Turner, fired the second shot, which was immediately returned. Baily then fired the third shot at Ray, inflicting a painful wound in his left hip. Ray was at this time retiring from the scene of action. The balance of the shooting passed between Turner and Ray – fortunately neither was hit.
The pistols being emptied, all became quiet, and attention was turned to Ray, who was considered mortally wounded. Baily was arrested by a Bailiff and turned over to Sheriff Mathews, (who was absent from town at the time of the difficulty) and held in custody until Monday morning, when he gave bond; but as Ray daily grew worse, Baily’s bondsmen became uneasy, and on Friday, 27th, he was lodged in Nashville jail to await his trial at the August Term of the Superior Court, for the murder of a fellow-being.
Ray lived until Sunday morning, 1 o’clock, 29th ult., when the spirit of the unfortunate man passed away. Thus were the hearts of two families made to mourn over an irreparable loss.ALLAPAHA.
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Ray City History Blog 