Brooksville's Train Depot Double Duel on the Dock

The gun dual between L.W. Hicks and J.F. Higginbotham at the Brooksville Train Depot in 1906 was a dramatic and deadly confrontation that left both men dead and shocked the local community.

• Date & Location: September 11, 1906: near the office door of the Brooksville Train Depot.

• Cause: The conflict stemmed from a dispute over a trial involving a black employee of the Brooksville and Hudson Railroad. This employee had previously drawn a pistol on G.W. Braswell and was sentenced to a fine and jail time.

• Escalation: After the trial, Higginbotham allegedly quoted Hicks as saying that within a year, black men would be walking the streets of Brooksville with white women. Hicks denied making the statement, and the two exchanged heated words.

• The Duel: Hicks reportedly said, “You have your gun and I have mine. Get ready. We will settle it right here.”  Both men drew their weapons and fired.

  • • Hicks hit Higginbotham three times in the chest.

    • Higginbotham hit Hicks five times—three in the chest, one in the arm, and one in the thigh.

• Outcome: Both men died within ten feet of each other.

See details below.

The  Ocala Evening Star – 13 September 1906

Causes That Led to the Death of Hicks and Higginbotham

A well know and responsible citizen of Ocala, who was an eye witness to the recent duel at Brooksville, gives the following facts in regard to the matter:

A white man went to the Brooksville and Hudson train with a package, which he desired to ship to a point on the line.  At the train he found the breakmam, a negro, who he told to put the package in the baggage car.

The negro said that he would look after the goods, but could not put them in the car without orders from Mr. L.W. Hicks, who was the conductor, and had given strict orders that nothing should go in the car until hd had approved it.

At this time the white man got mad, cursed the negro and threatened him with injury unless he should put the goods in the car.  The negro retired into the baggage car and shut the door.  The white man began trying to break the door down.  The negro took the conductor’s pistol, which was lying on the shelf in the baggage car, and told the white man to keep out.  He kept out.

J.F. Higginbotham heard of the matter and became very indignant. He said that no negro should draw a pistol on a white man and go ununished while he was in town: and, to be content with this sentement, caught the negro and gave him a severe beating.

A day or two later, Higginbotham saw Conductor Hicks across the street. He (Higginbotham) crossed over and asked Hicks if he wanted to see him.  Hicks say “no”.  “Well”, Higgenbotham said, “I beat up that nigger of yours, and didn’t know but what you wanted to say about it.”

Hicks replied that he had no desire to take the matter up.   Hicks was a smaller man and than Higginbotham, and seemed to have beenof a peaceful disposition.

Higginbotham wanted not to let the matter rest, but went to Hicks a day or twolater, while the latter was getting ready to takehis train out, and commenced to abuse him about the negro, and Hicks commenced to ge mad.  Seeing this, a friend of Higginbotham took him away.  Higgin botham, however,goth his pistol, and went back.  Hicks then seeing that he either had to fight or run away said:  You have your gun, and I have mine; let’s do business.”

Th shooting at once began, and in a few seconds both may lay mortally wounded.

Our informant states that public sympathy in Brooksville was with Hicks.     

The Tampa Tribune 9/13/1906

Brooksville’s Double Duel

Brooksville, Sept. 12 - The duel of yesterday, resulting in the death of both participants, L.  W. Hicks and J. F. Higginbotham, has caused a great sensation in the community.

The trouble originated about the trial of a negro employee of the Brooksville and Hudson Railroad. the negro, several days ago, had trouble with G. W. Braswell, the negro drawing a pistol on Braswell. The negro was sentenced to $100 or six months in jail. Higginbotham, after the trial, quoted Hicks as saying that in twelve months Negroes would be walking the streets of Brooksville with white ladies.

Hicks accosted Higginbotham denying that he made the remark, and hot words followed. Hicks finally said to Higginbotham: "You have your gun and I have mine. Get ready; we will settle it right here."

Both began firing. Three bullets from Hicks' weapon took effect in Higginbotham's breast while 5 from Higginbotham's landed, three in Hicks' breast, one in his arm and one in his thigh. Both fell within ten feet of each other, near the office door of the Atlantic Coast line depot.

Hicks leave a wife and two children in Macon, Ga. Higginbotham leaves a wife and little boy.

Sources

Local Coverage: The duel was widely reported in Florida newspapers around September 12, 1906. Searching archives of The Tampa Tribune, Brooksville Sun, or Ocala Evening Star from that week may yield firsthand accounts.

Genealogy & Obituaries

The Higginbotham Genealogy site confirms the duel and its impact on the community. It also lists other Higginbothams involved in law enforcement and lumber, which may help trace family connections.

Julius F. Higginbotham was serving as a Hernando County Marshal at the time of the fatal duel with L.W. Hicks at the Brooksville Train Depot in 1906.